Backing Business in the Bush Fund

To apply, your business must:

• be a legal entity
• have or be eligible to register for GST
• and an Australian Business Number (ABN)
• have a place of business in Queensland
• have been trading for at least three years
• have a minimum turnover of $1 million in each of the last two financial years
• be a SME based in Queensland
• be able to demonstrate that you have or have access to sufficient funding to co-contribute your share of the project’s eligible capital expenditure
• be positioned to start operations of the funded project within 18 months of potential funding agreement execution.

Ineligible applicants include:

• local government authorities
• government owned corporations
• sole traders or individuals
• regional organisation of councils
• Australian or Queensland government agencies
• not-for-profit organisations
• unincorporated associations
• universities
• research and development organisations
• businesses that are insolvent, at high risk of future insolvency or bankrupt
• operate primarily in ineligible industries

See the guidelines for full details of organisations eligible for BBBF support.

Eligible capital expenditure may include:

• purchase, installation, and commissioning expenditures on new fixed assets required to commission the project
• infrastructure capital expenditure and civil construction expenditure directly related to the project
• development, upgrade, or expansion of enabling project infrastructure, and associated utilities or civil works required for the project
• expenditure related to engaging a third-party contractor, unrelated to the applicant, to manage and deliver the project
• a contingency, to a maximum of 15 per cent of the total eligible project capital expenditure
• Eligible expenditure may only be incurred after both the applicant and State have executed the funding agreement and before the project completion date unless agreed otherwise.

The following expenditures are considered ineligible:

• expenditure that applicants cannot contractually commit to expending through a funding agreement, if successful
• costs paid to related entities of the applicant
• any expenditure incurred prior to the commencement of a funding agreement
• in-kind expenditure
• repayment of existing debts, commitments and/or budget deficits
• expenditure that does not involve a cash payment to an unrelated entity on commercial terms
• expenditure associated with existing equipment and resources which may be utilised for the project
• development, upgrade, or expansion of enabling project infrastructure, and associated utilities or civil works beyond that specifically required for the project
• statutory fees and charges
• expenditure associated with grant applications, monitoring and administration costs, including any funding provided to professional services to support application development.
• expenditure relating solely to marketing, advertising, or product promotion, including education and information campaigns
• purchase of motor vehicles
• land
• items which are already included within the project scope as part of other local, state, or federal government funding or assistance agreements
• all operational expenditure is ineligible including but not limited to:
• ongoing business administration
• operation or maintenance
• insurance and leases
• legal costs
• marketing costs
• trading stock including livestock.

See the guidelines for full details of expenditure eligible for BBBF support.

1. SC1 – Project (20%)

• project feasibility
• demonstrate value for money procurement for the project
• delivery risk

2. SC2 – Project results in sustainable improvements to the business (20%)

• lessens direct costs, other than labour, as a proportion of revenues
• grows revenue per full-time equivalent (FTE) within the business
• performance of the project relative to the existing business operation’s performance
• adopts technology and/or practices to improve the business and environmental sustainability of the business

3. SC3 – Project results in market outcomes with Queensland benefits (30%)

• increases expenditure with Queensland-based suppliers and contractors
• addresses an opportunity or challenge for businesses in regional Queensland
• does not materially disadvantage Queensland-based competitors

4. SC4 – Project directly contributes to state economic impacts (30%)

• builds higher value positions within the business including upskilling of existing employees
• increases contributions to the state economy as a proportion of revenues by retaining existing employees and creating new direct FTE employment
• grows exports, onshore production or replaces imports.

Assessment for Stage 1 will be based on evidence supplied to determine compliance of the application against the criteria set out in the guidelines including if:

• the applicant meets the eligibility requirements of this fund
• the project meets the eligibility requirements of this fund
• the applicant is capable of satisfying the assessment criteria in the next stage
• the risks to the State of supporting the application are acceptable or can be mitigated. During the Stage 1 assessment, the State will not ask applicants to provide additional information to assist the assessment process.

Assessment for Stage 2 applications will be based on evidence supplied at Stage 1 and Stage 2. The Stage 2 assessment will determine which applications will be recommended for funding based on:

• the project continues to meet the eligibility requirements of this fund
• the applicant satisfying the assessment criteria
• value for money delivered to the State
• the pool of applications
• the State’s risk profile considering factors such as: the location, industry alignment, additionality, crowding out, commercial risks to the State and other applicant/project specific risks.

During the Stage 2 assessment, the State may ask applicants to provide additional information to assist the assessment process. In these circumstances, applicants will be provided with a maximum of two business days to respond.

Applicants that have been assessed in Stage 1 as having high value for money outcomes and as being investment ready, may be offered access to a fast-track process.

See the guidelines for full details of the assessment criteria and process.

Applicants must:

• Read and understand the guidelines.
• Ensure eligibility for the funding. Applicants that do not meet all the eligibility criteria will not be considered.
• Deliver the project as outlined in the application and agreed project plan.
• Provide complete information requirements.

Required information across the two stages will include, but is not limited to:

• information to support probity and due diligence including business entity identifiers and relevant documents (e.g., trust deeds), historical financial records, site details/tenure, relevant approvals, permits and licenses
• written statements as to project alignment with the eligibility and assessment criteria set out in these guidelines
• information on current business operations including organisational management structure, current employee information, details of existing supply chain expenditures and sources of revenue
• evidence of capacity and commitment to deliver the project including accountant letter, evidence of board commitment, financing plan, relevant commercial agreements, and technical studies
• forecasts presented in the financial model template and assumption book provided to applicants progressing to Stage 2. The financial model template and assumption book require information on employment, project construction budget and cashflow, operational profit and loss and cashflow, revenues, purchases, and business finances
• Stage 2 applicants will need to provide a business plan, project delivery plan and workforce development documents.

The financial model and assumption book information will be considered the point of truth if there are any discrepancies between the application documents.

See the guidelines for full details of information requirements.

Applicants can submit their applications online via the SmartyGrants portal.

Register your interest here with GrantHelper to explore your alignment with this program and how we can assist you to increase your chances of success.