Small businesses invited to have their say

Queensland’s small businesses are being encouraged to share their challenges, priorities, and goals to help inform the Palaszczuk Government’s new Small Business Strategy.

Minister Farmer said the Small Business Survey opens today (January 30) and gives small business owners and operators an opportunity to share their views on what they need to help their business thrive.

“Backing small business is vital for the state’s economic growth so the Queensland Government wants to ensure the right conditions, programs and support are in place for small businesses to reach their goals,” Minister Farmer said.

“If you own or operate a small business in Queensland, then we want to hear from you.

“Strengthening small businesses is a core pillar of the Government’s economic plan and our Big Plans for Small Business Strategy 2021-2023 – our current small business strategy - has based every action on the feedback we’ve received from Queensland small businesses.

“The Palaszczuk Government has already provided $2.5 billion in assistance over the COVID period and is eager to build on that work.

Minister Farmer said the Government’s new small business strategy would set a future path for the more than 459,000 small businesses in Queensland, providing them with the opportunities to grow, and thrive.

“We know businesses have faced many challenges in recent years, and if we want to support small business and make it easier to do business in Queensland then we need to hear directly from the sector,” Minister Farmer said.

“Our Big Plans for Small Business Strategy 2021-2023 has delivered grants, programs, and initiatives to help businesses to recover and increase their ability to thrive and grow, drive good jobs growth, and boost local economies.

“Due to their success, our small business grants have been made permanent thanks to a $39.1 million commitment in the 2022-2023 State Budget, which is great news for business owners.”

Under the Big Plans for Small Business Strategy 2021-2023 our achievements have included:

• Permanent funding for our small business grants programs
• The Queensland Small Business Commissioner being made a permanent role, and the commission has since carried out more than 9200 activities since the its opening in 2020, and 74 per cent of leasing disputes have been successfully resolved since the Commissioner’s role being made permanent.  
• Enhancement of the Mentoring for Growth program to continue to provide free, tailored support, including financial mentoring and business planning.
• We’re delivering a $8.76 million Small Business Support and Wellness package, which includes the addition of six wellbeing coaches to the statewide network of 43 rural, tourism, and small business financial counsellors to provide a complete package of support for small businesses.
• A reinvigorated Queensland Small Business Advisory Council to better connect and engage with small businesses and advocate on their behalf.
• Introduction of the Queensland Business Launchpad, a one-stop-shop providing the licences or permits Queenslanders need from all three levels of government to open and run a business. There are almost 40’000 Launchpad users, who have saved almost $15 million dollars in benefits.
• We have exceeded our 25 per cent Small to Medium Enterprise procurement target and lifted it to 30 per cent, which represents $300 million boost.

Minister Farmer said it’s important for all Queenslanders that our businesses continue to thrive and urged owners and operators to complete the survey.

“I encourage them to have their say so we can continue to work together and deliver the support and solutions needed to do business in Queensland.”

Small business owners and operators can complete the survey online at www.business.qld.gov.au/smallbizsurvey

The survey will be open until 5pm, 24 February 2023. The new Small Business Strategy is due to be released in 2023.

To access information and support for small businesses now, visit www.business.qld.gov.au, follow Business Queensland on Facebook or call the Small Business Hotline 1300 654 687.

ENDS

Media contact: Nicola Field – 0497 940 285