North Queensland Economic Diversification Grants

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

Yes. If eligible for the grant, you will be given conditional approval by QRIDA. This approval would be subject to you arranging your co-contribution to the equivalent amount.

Eligible co-contributions can include in-kind contributions including labour, goods and services.

The calculations of your in-kind contribution is based on your best estimate.

The following figures may help guide you:

• Calculate general labour at $20 per hour
• Calculate volunteer specialist labour (for example, engineer or architect) at $45 per hour
• Calculate donated goods at the price you would pay for them if they were not donated.

Primary production enterprises and small to 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 in the form.

Successful projects funded under the first round include:

• Increase storage/process of pulses to encourage crop diversification
• Automated feed delivery technology
• Construction of processing plant to freeze dry fruit otherwise destined for landfill
• Construct an outdoor theatre space with alfresco dining options
• Activate air freight opportunities to enable access to new markets
• Establish hot air balloon tours.

To view a listing of the successful first round applicants and the projects they will undertake, visit the National Recovery and Resilience Agency website.

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

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. Project attributes.

For more information on how applications will be competitively assessed read the guidelines on this page.

Grant funding is not guaranteed at any stage of the application process and applications will be assessed on a competitive basis.

The objective is to fund projects that will:

• broaden and diversify into new industries; and
• support projects that provide opportunities to generate new economic activity and employment.

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

Prior to submitting your 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 so your application can be promptly assessed.

You can contact QRIDA on 1800 623 946.

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.

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.