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When times are tough, we need to support each other. We saw this time and time again in 2020 with Queenslanders supporting local businesses, checking in on lonely neighbours and distant relatives.
It was undoubtedly tough last year, but we’re not through it yet.
Queensland is a remarkable, sunny state in our weather and the optimism of our community. With the help of national, state and local governments, we’ve journeyed through the pandemic and its effects together with some assistance.
Want a summary of how Queensland is faring in 2021 and what initiatives are in place for support?
Read more from the Gold Coast Accountant team at Crest to find out.
Queensland business support
The Business Queensland website operated by the Queensland Government has been a true lifeline to many business owners searching for and acquiring assistance for over a year now.
This website will help you find:
- Information on current business restrictions, as well as health and safety obligations for your staff and customers.
- Specific industry and sector support and a financial assistance and relief measure finder.
- Tools to manage cash flow, smart business decision making and recovery, risk assessment and business planning.
- Information on leasing and supply chain support and COVID-19 related cyber scams.
Let Crest Accountants lay out what business assistance you may still be eligible for:
- Small Business COVID-19 Adaption Grant Program – (please note: applications are only open for Regional Queensland business – SEQ businesses have closed)
- The Business Basics Grants Program– (Open from 31st May 2021)
- COVID-19 International Tourism Adaptation Grant.
- Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme (Hurry! It runs until 30 June 2021).
Of course, there’s plenty of other business assistance available out there, unrelated to COVID-19. Talk to your Gold Coast Accountant about making the most out of the available support.
Support for the everyday Queenslander
Here’s what support for the everyday Queenslander looks like in 2021:
- Health advice from trained professionals by calling 13 HEALTH (13 43 25 84).
- Mental health support by calling 1300 MH CALL (1300 64 22 55), Carers Australia (1800 242 636), Lifeline (13 11 14) or Beyond Blue (1800 512 348).
- Practical support (including support for people affected by COVID-19 such as Economic Support Payments for people in self-quarantine by calling 132 468).
- The opportunity to claim a payment through Services Australia due to coronavirus.
- Household energy bill protections, billing and payment help.
And, of course, free COVID-19 vaccinations for eligible people (as of 17 May 2021, this is those in Phase 1a, 1b and 2a).
The Queensland property market
What Queensland real estate agents are seeing is a higher ratio of offers being made for the number of buyers who are attending the home opens.
Buyer activity in our beautiful state remains strong, which is resulting in (still) rising property prices.
Unfortunately, though, the booming property market isn’t helping with falling rental vacancy rates. Figures from SQM Research show Gold Coast rents have risen 32% for houses and 14% for units within the last 12 months.
Seek support from your Gold Coast Accountant
At Crest Accountants, not only do we have a range of accounting services to help you, we’re also here for you when you need to seek support.
Whether the support you need is personal in the form of individual tax returns, planning or asset protection, or professional in the form of business tax returns, cash flow forecasting and government incentives, we have the skills, experience and expertise to help.
Contact Crest Accountants today for professional and reliable personal and business accounting solutions for you, or to find out more about the support still available.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this news post is general in nature and is intended to provide a general summary only and should not be relied on as a substitute for professional advice.
