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North Queensland Economic Diversification Grants

The North Queensland Economic Diversification Grants are for projects that broaden and diversify economic opportunities in areas impacted by the 2019 North Queensland Monsoon Trough. 

Image of cattle in paddock

Program information

Co-contribution grants of between $10,000 and $500,000 were available on a competitive basis for projects in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors that diversify existing industries, start new ones and lead to more jobs.

Expressions of interest closed March 19 2021. Grants are being assessed on a competitive basis and successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

For further details, including eligible areas, guidelines and frequently asked questions see below.

The North Queensland Economic Diversification Grants are funded by the Australian Government and administered by QRIDA.

Eligible areas

  • Burdekin Shire Council
  • Burke Shire Council
  • Carpentaria Shire Council
  • Charters Towers Regional Council
  • Cloncurry Shire Council
  • Douglas Shire Council
  • Etheridge Shire Council
  • Flinders Shire Council
  • Hinchinbrook Shire Council
  • McKinlay Shire Council
  • Richmond Shire Council
  • Townsville City Council
  • Whitsunday Regional Council
  • Winton Shire Council

Round 1 key dates

1 February 2021 Expressions of Interest (EOI) open
19 March 2021 EOI close
By 16 April 2021 EOI outcomes will be advised and successful submissions invited to lodge a full application
By 9 July 2021 Full applications close
By 20 August 2021 Applicants will be notified of outcomes

Frequently asked questions

View all FAQs

  • Yes. However, any ultimate grant approval will be subject to a financial co-contribution.

  • Medium sized businesses applying for the grant must be registered for GST. All other applicant entities need to indicate whether or not they are registered for GST when they submit an EOI.

  • No, QRIDA will pay invoice amounts for items claimed, exclusive of GST. This is because you will be able to claim the GST component of your purchases when you lodge your Business Activity Statement with the Australian Taxation Office.

  • Unfortunately, no. Grant funding is not guaranteed, and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis.

  • Jobs are to be calculated as Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff.

    Full time work is 35 hours per week or more. If your project will employ casual or part time workers, calculate the number of hours to be worked by these employees and divide that total by 35 to determine full time equivalents.

    For example, seven casual employees working 10 hours per week totalling 70 hours per week equates to two full time employees.

  • Freecall 1800 623 946. QRIDA also have a network of Regional Area Managers located across Queensland who can help you with your application.

  • For details on eligibility please refer to Section 4 of the guidelines.

  • Questions concerning your personal taxation circumstances should be directed to your taxation advisor or the Australian Taxation Office on 13 72 86.

  • Applications will be assessed on a competitive basis in each stream against the following criteria:

    1. Public benefit
    2. Co-contribution and value for money
    3. Capability and capacity
    4. Additional project attributes

    For more information on how EOIs and applications will be competitively assessed read the guidelines.

  • You must immediately notify QRIDA if there is a change to the scope of the project.

  • The expected processing time of Economic Diversification Grants EOI applications is 20 business days, provided all the required information has been supplied.

    The expected processing time for full applications is 30 business days, provided all the required information has been supplied.

    Prior to submitting your EOI or application, you are encouraged to speak with a QRIDA representative to discuss your proposal. This will help you to work out what information is required and mean your application can be promptly assessed.

    You can contact QRIDA on Freecall 1800 623 946.

  • Yes, applications can be made on this basis and are in fact preferred in the competitive assessment process.   

  • Yes, you are entitled to a decision review. See reviewing a decision for more information.

Get in touch

Have a question, need some help or would like more information? We're here to help you.

News, events & stories

Related information

Program information

Co-contribution grants of between $10,000 and $500,000 were available on a competitive basis for projects in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors that diversify existing industries, start new ones and lead to more jobs.

Expressions of interest closed March 19 2021. Grants are being assessed on a competitive basis and successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

For further details, including eligible areas, guidelines and frequently asked questions see below.

The North Queensland Economic Diversification Grants are funded by the Australian Government and administered by QRIDA.

Eligible areas

  • Burdekin Shire Council
  • Burke Shire Council
  • Carpentaria Shire Council
  • Charters Towers Regional Council
  • Cloncurry Shire Council
  • Douglas Shire Council
  • Etheridge Shire Council
  • Flinders Shire Council
  • Hinchinbrook Shire Council
  • McKinlay Shire Council
  • Richmond Shire Council
  • Townsville City Council
  • Whitsunday Regional Council
  • Winton Shire Council

Round 1 key dates

1 February 2021 Expressions of Interest (EOI) open
19 March 2021 EOI close
By 16 April 2021 EOI outcomes will be advised and successful submissions invited to lodge a full application
By 9 July 2021 Full applications close
By 20 August 2021 Applicants will be notified of outcomes

Frequently asked questions

View all FAQs

  • You must immediately notify QRIDA if there is a change to the scope of the project.

  • No, QRIDA will pay invoice amounts for items claimed, exclusive of GST. This is because you will be able to claim the GST component of your purchases when you lodge your Business Activity Statement with the Australian Taxation Office.

  • Yes, applications can be made on this basis and are in fact preferred in the competitive assessment process.   

  • Applications will be assessed on a competitive basis in each stream against the following criteria:

    1. Public benefit
    2. Co-contribution and value for money
    3. Capability and capacity
    4. Additional project attributes

    For more information on how EOIs and applications will be competitively assessed read the guidelines.

  • Unfortunately, no. Grant funding is not guaranteed, and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis.

  • Yes. However, any ultimate grant approval will be subject to a financial co-contribution.

  • For details on eligibility please refer to Section 4 of the guidelines.

  • Questions concerning your personal taxation circumstances should be directed to your taxation advisor or the Australian Taxation Office on 13 72 86.

  • Yes, you are entitled to a decision review. See reviewing a decision for more information.

  • The expected processing time of Economic Diversification Grants EOI applications is 20 business days, provided all the required information has been supplied.

    The expected processing time for full applications is 30 business days, provided all the required information has been supplied.

    Prior to submitting your EOI or application, you are encouraged to speak with a QRIDA representative to discuss your proposal. This will help you to work out what information is required and mean your application can be promptly assessed.

    You can contact QRIDA on Freecall 1800 623 946.

  • Jobs are to be calculated as Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff.

    Full time work is 35 hours per week or more. If your project will employ casual or part time workers, calculate the number of hours to be worked by these employees and divide that total by 35 to determine full time equivalents.

    For example, seven casual employees working 10 hours per week totalling 70 hours per week equates to two full time employees.

  • Freecall 1800 623 946. QRIDA also have a network of Regional Area Managers located across Queensland who can help you with your application.

  • Medium sized businesses applying for the grant must be registered for GST. All other applicant entities need to indicate whether or not they are registered for GST when they submit an EOI.

Get in touch

Have a question, need some help or would like more information? We're here to help you.

News, events & stories

Related information

Program information

Co-contribution grants of between $10,000 and $500,000 were available on a competitive basis for projects in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors that diversify existing industries, start new ones and lead to more jobs.

Expressions of interest closed March 19 2021. Grants are being assessed on a competitive basis and successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

For further details, including eligible areas, guidelines and frequently asked questions see below.

The North Queensland Economic Diversification Grants are funded by the Australian Government and administered by QRIDA.

Eligible areas

  • Burdekin Shire Council
  • Burke Shire Council
  • Carpentaria Shire Council
  • Charters Towers Regional Council
  • Cloncurry Shire Council
  • Douglas Shire Council
  • Etheridge Shire Council
  • Flinders Shire Council
  • Hinchinbrook Shire Council
  • McKinlay Shire Council
  • Richmond Shire Council
  • Townsville City Council
  • Whitsunday Regional Council
  • Winton Shire Counci

Round 1 key dates

1 February 2021      Expressions of Interest (EOI) open
19 March 2021      EOI close
By 16 April 2021      EOI outcomes will be advised and successful submissions invited to lodge a full application
By 9 July 2021  Full applications close
By 20 August 2021                Applicants will be notified of outcomes

 

Frequently asked questions

View all FAQs

  • Questions concerning your personal taxation circumstances should be directed to your taxation advisor or the Australian Taxation Office on 13 72 86.

  • Freecall 1800 623 946. QRIDA also have a network of Regional Area Managers located across Queensland who can help you with your application.

  • Yes, you are entitled to a decision review. See reviewing a decision for more information.

  • The expected processing time of Economic Diversification Grants EOI applications is 20 business days, provided all the required information has been supplied.

    The expected processing time for full applications is 30 business days, provided all the required information has been supplied.

    Prior to submitting your EOI or application, you are encouraged to speak with a QRIDA representative to discuss your proposal. This will help you to work out what information is required and mean your application can be promptly assessed.

    You can contact QRIDA on Freecall 1800 623 946.

  • Yes. However, any ultimate grant approval will be subject to a financial co-contribution.

  • Unfortunately, no. Grant funding is not guaranteed, and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis.

  • Jobs are to be calculated as Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff.

    Full time work is 35 hours per week or more. If your project will employ casual or part time workers, calculate the number of hours to be worked by these employees and divide that total by 35 to determine full time equivalents.

    For example, seven casual employees working 10 hours per week totalling 70 hours per week equates to two full time employees.

  • For details on eligibility please refer to Section 4 of the guidelines.

  • Applications will be assessed on a competitive basis in each stream against the following criteria:

    1. Public benefit
    2. Co-contribution and value for money
    3. Capability and capacity
    4. Additional project attributes

    For more information on how EOIs and applications will be competitively assessed read the guidelines.

  • No, QRIDA will pay invoice amounts for items claimed, exclusive of GST. This is because you will be able to claim the GST component of your purchases when you lodge your Business Activity Statement with the Australian Taxation Office.

  • Medium sized businesses applying for the grant must be registered for GST. All other applicant entities need to indicate whether or not they are registered for GST when they submit an EOI.

  • You must immediately notify QRIDA if there is a change to the scope of the project.

  • Yes, applications can be made on this basis and are in fact preferred in the competitive assessment process.   

Get in touch

Have a question, need some help or would like more information? We're here to help you.

News, events & stories

Related information

Program information

Co-contribution grants of between $10,000 and $500,000 were available on a competitive basis for projects in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors that diversify existing industries, start new ones and lead to more jobs.

Expressions of interest closed March 19 2021. Grants are being assessed on a competitive basis and successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

For further details, including eligible areas, guidelines and frequently asked questions see below.

The North Queensland Economic Diversification Grants are funded by the Australian Government and administered by QRIDA.

Eligible areas

  • Burdekin Shire Council
  • Burke Shire Council
  • Carpentaria Shire Council
  • Charters Towers Regional Council
  • Cloncurry Shire Council
  • Douglas Shire Council
  • Etheridge Shire Council
  • Flinders Shire Council
  • Hinchinbrook Shire Council
  • McKinlay Shire Council
  • Richmond Shire Council
  • Townsville City Council
  • Whitsunday Regional Council
  • Winton Shire Council

Round 1 key dates

1 February 2021 Expressions of Interest (EOI) open
19 March 2021 EOI close
By 16 April 2021 EOI outcomes will be advised and successful submissions invited to lodge a full application
By 9 July 2021 Full applications close
By 20 August 2021 Applicants will be notified of outcomes

Frequently asked questions

View all FAQs

  • Unfortunately, no. Grant funding is not guaranteed, and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis.

  • Freecall 1800 623 946. QRIDA also have a network of Regional Area Managers located across Queensland who can help you with your application.

  • For details on eligibility please refer to Section 4 of the guidelines.

  • Yes, applications can be made on this basis and are in fact preferred in the competitive assessment process.   

  • Questions concerning your personal taxation circumstances should be directed to your taxation advisor or the Australian Taxation Office on 13 72 86.

  • No, QRIDA will pay invoice amounts for items claimed, exclusive of GST. This is because you will be able to claim the GST component of your purchases when you lodge your Business Activity Statement with the Australian Taxation Office.

  • You must immediately notify QRIDA if there is a change to the scope of the project.

  • Applications will be assessed on a competitive basis in each stream against the following criteria:

    1. Public benefit
    2. Co-contribution and value for money
    3. Capability and capacity
    4. Additional project attributes

    For more information on how EOIs and applications will be competitively assessed read the guidelines.

  • Yes, you are entitled to a decision review. See reviewing a decision for more information.

  • Jobs are to be calculated as Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff.

    Full time work is 35 hours per week or more. If your project will employ casual or part time workers, calculate the number of hours to be worked by these employees and divide that total by 35 to determine full time equivalents.

    For example, seven casual employees working 10 hours per week totalling 70 hours per week equates to two full time employees.

  • Medium sized businesses applying for the grant must be registered for GST. All other applicant entities need to indicate whether or not they are registered for GST when they submit an EOI.

  • The expected processing time of Economic Diversification Grants EOI applications is 20 business days, provided all the required information has been supplied.

    The expected processing time for full applications is 30 business days, provided all the required information has been supplied.

    Prior to submitting your EOI or application, you are encouraged to speak with a QRIDA representative to discuss your proposal. This will help you to work out what information is required and mean your application can be promptly assessed.

    You can contact QRIDA on Freecall 1800 623 946.

  • Yes. However, any ultimate grant approval will be subject to a financial co-contribution.

Get in touch

Have a question, need some help or would like more information? We're here to help you.

News, events & stories

Related information

Program information

Co-contribution grants of between $10,000 and $500,000 were available on a competitive basis for projects in the agricultural and non-agricultural sectors that diversify existing industries, start new ones and lead to more jobs.

Expressions of interest closed March 19 2021. Grants are being assessed on a competitive basis and successful EOI applicants will be invited to submit a full application.

For further details, including eligible areas, guidelines and frequently asked questions see below.

The North Queensland Economic Diversification Grants are funded by the Australian Government and administered by QRIDA.

Eligible areas

  • Burdekin Shire Council
  • Burke Shire Council
  • Carpentaria Shire Council
  • Charters Towers Regional Council
  • Cloncurry Shire Council
  • Douglas Shire Council
  • Etheridge Shire Council
  • Flinders Shire Council
  • Hinchinbrook Shire Council
  • McKinlay Shire Council
  • Richmond Shire Council
  • Townsville City Council
  • Whitsunday Regional Council
  • Winton Shire Council

Round 1 key dates

1 February 2021 Expressions of Interest (EOI) open
19 March 2021 EOI close
By 16 April 2021 EOI outcomes will be advised and successful submissions invited to lodge a full application
By 9 July 2021 Full applications close
By 20 August 2021 Applicants will be notified of outcomes

Frequently asked questions

View all FAQs

  • The expected processing time of Economic Diversification Grants EOI applications is 20 business days, provided all the required information has been supplied.

    The expected processing time for full applications is 30 business days, provided all the required information has been supplied.

    Prior to submitting your EOI or application, you are encouraged to speak with a QRIDA representative to discuss your proposal. This will help you to work out what information is required and mean your application can be promptly assessed.

    You can contact QRIDA on Freecall 1800 623 946.

  • Yes, you are entitled to a decision review. See reviewing a decision for more information.

  • Applications will be assessed on a competitive basis in each stream against the following criteria:

    1. Public benefit
    2. Co-contribution and value for money
    3. Capability and capacity
    4. Additional project attributes

    For more information on how EOIs and applications will be competitively assessed read the guidelines.

  • Yes. However, any ultimate grant approval will be subject to a financial co-contribution.

  • Medium sized businesses applying for the grant must be registered for GST. All other applicant entities need to indicate whether or not they are registered for GST when they submit an EOI.

  • Jobs are to be calculated as Full Time Equivalent (FTE) Staff.

    Full time work is 35 hours per week or more. If your project will employ casual or part time workers, calculate the number of hours to be worked by these employees and divide that total by 35 to determine full time equivalents.

    For example, seven casual employees working 10 hours per week totalling 70 hours per week equates to two full time employees.

  • No, QRIDA will pay invoice amounts for items claimed, exclusive of GST. This is because you will be able to claim the GST component of your purchases when you lodge your Business Activity Statement with the Australian Taxation Office.

  • For details on eligibility please refer to Section 4 of the guidelines.

  • Freecall 1800 623 946. QRIDA also have a network of Regional Area Managers located across Queensland who can help you with your application.

  • Unfortunately, no. Grant funding is not guaranteed, and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis.

  • Yes, applications can be made on this basis and are in fact preferred in the competitive assessment process.   

  • You must immediately notify QRIDA if there is a change to the scope of the project.

  • Questions concerning your personal taxation circumstances should be directed to your taxation advisor or the Australian Taxation Office on 13 72 86.

Get in touch

Have a question, need some help or would like more information? We're here to help you.

News, events & stories

Related information
Last updated
07 April 2021