Queensland Government Support for Business, Households & Individuals

The Queensland Government has today announced a $4B package to support Queensland businesses and jobs.

The package includes:

• Refunds of payroll tax for 2 months (must be applied for before 31 May 2020)
• Tax holiday for 3 months (must be applied for before 31 May 2020)
• Deferral of payroll tax for 2020 calendar year.

Combined with payroll deferrals already announced, Queensland businesses will not need to make a payroll tax payment in 2020.  The previously announced 6-month tax payroll deferral will now take effect from July to December. To be eligible, you must be an employer that pays less than $6.5M in taxable wages.

Businesses that pay more than $6.5 Million in taxable wages that have been negatively affected by COVID-19 (compared with normal operating conditions), can still apply for both deferral and a 2-month payroll tax refund. Employers must still lodge payroll tax forms for the deferred period.

In addition to the payroll tax deferrals, the following will also be implemented:

• Waving of liquor licensing fees (for venues that were forced to close doors)
• Rent relief for businesses that rent from the State Government
• $500 power bill rebate for sole traders and small/medium businesses.

$2.5B of the package is dedicated to supporting and protecting Queensland jobs and workers. 

$500M will be used to assist workers that lose jobs or income and assist them to find employment in industries that are vital to Queensland surviving the crisis – Health Care, Agriculture, Food Production, Transport, Cleaning and Mining.

$300M of the package will be dedicated to a ‘Household Relief Package’, which will give Queensland households $200 off their utility bills.

$1.2B will also be allocated to strengthen the Queensland health system by expanding fever clinics, emergency department capacity, acute care services and regional aeromedical services for remote communities.