Business Launchpad tool coming to Cairns

The Palaszczuk Government is supporting small businesses to start and grow in Cairns with a new online tool that makes understanding regulatory requirements of starting a residential construction or hospitality business a piece of cake.

Minister for Employment and Small Business Di Farmer said the Palaszczuk Government is delivering on the COVID-19 Economic Recovery Plan’s commitment to back small business.

“During my Small Business Roadshow earlier this year I spoke to thousands of businesses right across Queensland,” Minister Farmer said.

“One of the things raised with me was that making sure you’re ticking all the different regulatory boxes when starting a new business can be confusing and time consuming.

“That’s why we created the Business Launchpad: a one stop shop online tool for those wanting to start a residential construction or hospitality business to find what they need to do, instead of having to search multiple websites from a range of government agencies.”

Cairns Mayor Bob Manning said the expansion of the Business Launchpad to include Cairns was good news for new businesses in the area.

“There’s a lot to learn when you start a new business. We’re pleased that people wanting to start a small business in Cairns will now have a tool to make that process easier,” said Cr Manning.

“As a Small Business Friendly Council, this has been a great opportunity to build on the work that we are already doing to encourage and support small businesses in Cairns.”

Member for Cairns Michael Healy said it was a great example of different levels of government working together to support small business.

“The Business Launchpad provides all the information people need to know about federal, state and local government regulatory requirements for Cairns to start a residential construction or food and beverage hospitality business,” Mr Healy said.

“The tool also prefills standard details, which means people don’t have to repeatedly enter the same information each time they start a different application. This saves on time and frustration!”

Speaker of the Queensland Parliament and Member for Mulgrave Curtis Pitt said other support was available from the Queensland Government, and that more established small businesses in the Cairns region should get ready to apply for Business Boost grants that are opening this Friday.

“Cairns’ small businesses should get ready to apply for the new Business Boost grants of up to $15,000 each which can be used for upgrades and organisational improvements for more established businesses,” Mr Pitt said.

“Information is already available online to help businesses prepare their applications in readiness for the opening of applications at 9am on 30 July.”

Member for Barron River Craig Crawford said there was a range of other support for small businesses from the Palaszczuk Government.

“We have new online resources for businesses thinking about recruiting an apprentice or trainee which help businesses sign up and understand their training contracts, which includes receiving personalised SMS reminders for employer obligations,” Mr Crawford said.

"EOIs also recently closed for a new Queensland Small Business Advisory Council which will help ensure the Big Plans for Small Business Strategy is being delivered effectively.

“It’s clear that the Palaszczuk Government is backing small businesses in Cairns.”

Over 1,700 people have accessed the existing Business Launchpads in Townsville and Logan, and launchpads were recently launched in Toowooba and on the Sunshine Coast.

The Business Launchpad project is funded through the Australian Government’s Small Business Regulatory Reform Agenda and is available from launchpad.business.qld.gov.au

To access information on managing apprentices and trainees visit www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/employing/taking-on-staff/apprentices-trainees/manage

Information about the Business Boost Grant program is available at business.qld.gov.au/business-boost

For further information on support for small business visit www.business.qld.gov.au or call the Small Business Hotline on 1300 654 687. 

Media contact: Kate Talbot 0439 803 211