This time of year naturally prompts many small business owners to take stock. Some will be celebrating a strong 12 months. Others will be wondering where the cash went despite working harder than ever. And many will be somewhere in between.

The beginning of a new financial year is always a good time to review your cash flow, understand your working capital needs, plan ahead for tax and super obligations, map out payment timeframes, and automate your collections where possible to help strengthen your cash and business position. Seeking advice early—whether from your accountant, financial advisor, trusted business mentor, or by calling the Queensland Small Business Financial Counselling Service—can also help identify options when circumstances change or you find yourself in financial hardship.

It’s great to see the new Regional Business Gateways Program initiative offering funding to support regional businesses to drive local economic growth, access new markets, and invest in practical solutions for small businesses currently open for Expressions of Interest. This program is designed to support fit-for-purpose, locally led solutions to drive regional economic development.

The state budget announced on 23 June also delivered a boost for small businesses across the state with the announcement of a new $10 million program to help Queensland small and family businesses to adopt AI solutions and integrate them into their operations. In conversations with small businesses across a diverse range of industries, it’s clear that AI can empower small businesses to save time, reduce costs, improve customer experiences, and make smarter decisions, enabling them to innovate, grow, and stay competitive in an ever-changing market. But often, they don’t know where to start so it’s pleasing to see investment into a program to help.

As we head into the new financial year, it’s a good time to review your business operations and strategies and explore government programs or support to help Queensland small businesses endure and succeed.

Understand Lease Issues Before They Escalate

For many small businesses, lease issues often start small. This may include late rent payments, maintenance concerns, or questions about lease obligations.

During busy periods such as tax time or the end of the financial year, financial pressure can make these issues more noticeable. Acting early can help prevent them from becoming more serious.

If issues are not resolved, a landlord may issue a formal breach notice under the lease, such as a Form 7 Lease Breach Notice, outlining the issue and the time allowed to fix it.

If the matter continues, this may lead to further action under the lease. In some cases, a business may be locked out of the premises, which can affect access to stock, equipment and day-to-day trading.

Where disputes become urgent, parties may seek support through the Queensland Civil and Administrative Tribunal (QCAT) and seek interim or injunction orders to help manage urgent issues while the dispute is being resolved.

Staying proactive, communicating early, and responding within required timeframes can help reduce disruption and keep your business operating. For practical guidance on responding to cash flow challenges and reducing the risk of disputes, read our article.

Learn more about what you can do if you’re struggling to pay rent on your commercial premises.

Tax Time Support For Your Small Business

ax time can be busy, but the right information can help you save time, stay organised, and avoid common mistakes.

The ATO Small Business Toolkit brings together practical information on topics such as record keeping, business expenses, vehicle and travel costs, and working from home. It provides clear guidance and useful tools to help you get tax time right.

If you’re a building and construction tradie, the ATO also has dedicated guidance on what you can claim. Whether you’re an employee or run your own business, the information can help you understand eligible deductions and keep the records needed to support your claims.

There are also a range of guides and fact sheets available to help you stay on top of your obligations throughout the year.

Explore more tax time support for your small business.

Be Ready: Minimum Wage Changes From July 2026

If you employ staff, now is a good time to check whether the minimum wage increases taking effect from 1 July 2026 will affect your business.

The Fair Work Commission has announced increases to the National Minimum Wage and minimum award wages. These changes apply from the first full pay period starting on or after 1 July 2026 while minimum wage rates set under enterprise agreements must continue to meet minimum requirements under the relevant award.

Pay tools and resources will be updated and available closer to 1 July to help you check pay rates and understand what applies to your workplace.

For More Information

Hiring Your First Employee?

Hiring your first employee is an exciting milestone, but it can also feel overwhelming. From choosing the right type of worker to meeting your legal obligations, there’s a lot to get your head around. The Fair Work Ombudsman has recorded webinars available to help small business owners on YouTube.

Watch the webinars

Know Your Business Rights

From dealing with customers to working with suppliers, every business owner benefits from understanding the rules.

The ACCC’s Small Business Toolkit provides practical guidance on contracts, pricing, advertising, competition law, and consumer rights to help you make informed decisions and avoid common pitfalls.

Explore the toolkit

Breaking Business Barriers

Looking for practical business advice you can put into action straight away? Business Queensland’s Breaking Barriers video series delivers bite-sized programs in just three minutes, covering topics including commercial leasing, AI adoption, business planning, entrepreneurship, and women in business.

Watch the series and explore practical ideas you can apply in your business.

Watch the Series

The Regional Business Gateways Program Round 1 is now open for expressions of interest and will close at 5:00 pm on 17 July 2026. This Program may be of interest to regions and sectors aiming to deliver projects that address regional business challenges and opportunities. The Program supports collaborative, community-led projects that identify specific challenges or opportunities for regional small businesses and develop plans to improve their capability.

Round 1 offers $4 million in competitive grant funding, with eligible applicants able to apply for between $250,000 and $600,000 per project. Funded projects will directly benefit regional small and family businesses and must align with at least one of the following funding streams:

• Business Connectors: Supports projects that strengthen regional supply chains, business collaboration, and market access opportunities (e.g. partnership development and business-to-business networking initiatives).
• Business Accelerators: Supports projects that assist under-represented, micro, and early-stage businesses to build capability, participation, and growth opportunities (e.g. mentoring initiatives and peer support programs).
• Business Enablers: Supports projects that improve resilience, sustainability, and operational capability in sectors experiencing long-term challenges (e.g. pilot initiatives).

For more information, visit www.business.qld.gov.au/regional-business-gateways. The Program guidelines and frequently asked questions are attached for your reference.

Please share this opportunity with relevant stakeholders in your sectors and regions.

Navigating business growth, workforce shortages, or a shifting economy can be challenging, but a wealth of state government support is currently available to help local enterprises thrive. The Queensland Department of State Development, Infrastructure and Planning offers targeted programs designed to boost regional business capabilities, upskill staff, and lower operational costs.

Whether you are looking to build a stronger local network or secure direct funding, here are three key opportunities currently open that local businesses can leverage:

• Regional Business Gateways Program: This initiative provides up to $600,000 in funding for collaborative, community-led projects designed to strengthen regional small-business capability. If you have an innovative idea to support our local business ecosystem, Round 1 applications are open until 17 July 2026.

• Workforce & Recruitment Support: To tackle local employment challenges, businesses can access the Workforce Evolve Program and connect with Industry Workforce Advisors to build smart recruitment strategies. Additionally, the Free Apprenticeships for Under 25s initiative has been extended until June 2027, allowing eligible employers to bring on new trainees fee-free.

• Sustainability and Cost Reduction: Small and medium enterprises looking to lower their overheads can tap into ecoBiz, a free program that provides tailored action plans to improve energy, water, and waste efficiency—demonstrating that environmental sustainability and cost savings go hand in hand.

How to Get Started:

The Queensland State Development Regional Office Network is actively working to connect regional businesses with these economic opportunities. For a comprehensive list of available grants—including specific support for manufacturing, primary production, and major project tendering—visit the official Queensland State Development Portal to see how to position your business for upcoming regional supply chain opportunities.

The new financial year brings with it a number of changes for small businesses that will affect superannuation, taxation and cash flow. The single biggest change affecting payroll and superannuation for all small businesses is the introduction of Payday Super.

Payday Super requires superannuation contributions for employees to be made within 7 days of a payday rather than the previous per quarter contribution model. It is important that you ensure your payroll system and current contribution process are equipped to handle these changes.

Other Changes Commencing 1 July 2026 are:

• 4.75% increase to modern award wage rates from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2026.
• $20,000 instant asset write-off becomes permanent: Farm businesses with a turnover of less than $10 million, applying simplified depreciation rules, are able to immediately deduct eligible assets costing less than $20,000.
• Tax losses are able to be carried back for up to 2 years for small businesses with less than $1 billion turnover.
• The ATO Small Business Superannuation Clearing House will close. If this is the current platform your small business uses for superannuation contributions, you will need to find an alternative platform prior to 1 July.
• Pending any further announcement, the temporary reduction of excise and excise-equivalent customs duty rates for most fuel products will end.

These changes have the potential to affect your small business’s cash flow. If you see cash flow becoming tight, reach out early to one of our Small Business Financial Counsellors who can support you to get your finances back under control. We also suggest engaging early with your accountant or other trusted, professional advisors.

The Qld Government are pleased to share with you that applications are now open to industry for the Industry Skills Solutions – Drones initiative.  

Drone technology is transforming industries such as agriculture, mining, logistics, emergency response, construction and energy, driving a growing demand for skilled remote pilots.   

This is a 2-year, $1 million initiative designed to develop drone operator skills to support the adoption and application of this technology across a wide range of industries.   

Successful projects will connect participants with local employers and help them gain: 

• a Certificate III in Aviation (Remote Pilot) 
• a Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) remote pilot licence (RePL) 
• connections to local employers to ensure participants gain skills tailored to the needs of local industries 
• employment pathways in high-demand sectors. 

For more information about the initiative, please visit Industry Skills Solutions – Drones initiative

For queries relating to the Industry Skills Solutions – Drones initiative, please contact Rachel Emery, DTET Industry Lead at SPI@dtet.qld.gov.au. 

On behalf of the Queensland Government, Sunwater is progressing approvals for two new weirs to improve regional water security and support agricultural growth

• Barlil Weir, near Murgon on Barambah Creek in South Burnett
• Cooranga Weir, near Mundubbera on Boyne River in North Burnett

The weirs aim to increase the reliability of existing water allocations.

Sunwater is progressing planning and environmental approvals required for the construction of the proposed weirs.

Barlil Weir

Barlil Weir is proposed to be built on Barambah Creek approximately 8 kilometres northwest of Murgon, downstream of Bjelke-Petersen Dam in the Barker Barambah Water Supply Scheme (BBWSS). The weir will be approximately 6-7 metres high and 90 metres wide with a capacity of approximately 1,500 megalitres (ML).

Cooranga Weir

Cooranga Weir is proposed to be built on the Boyne River approximately 51 kilometres downstream from Boondooma Dam in Boyne River and Tarong Water Supply Scheme (BR&TWSS). The weir will be approximately 9 metres high and 180 metres wide with a capacity of 2,500 ML.

The current stage of both projects includes progressing engineering design, stakeholder engagement, procurement activities, planning for enabling and site preparatory works, and securing necessary approvals. The weirs are subject to government and environmental approvals, and full costs and timeframes are yet to be determined.

Expressions of interest

Sunwater invites local industry to register their interest in supplying goods or services by submitting an Expression of Interest (EOI) through the Gateway by ICN HERE

Information on specific supply opportunities will be communicated on the Gateway by ICN project page as it becomes available, with local industry able to register its interest against them.

All SW354 EOI submissions and Request For Information (RFIs) are required to be lodged via the ICN platform.

For more information and/or available documentation relating to this tender notice, please visit: https://www.vendorpanel.com.au/publictenders.aspx

Should you require any further assistance, please do not hesitate to email the Support Team at customercare@corelogic.com or click here or call us on 1300 734 318. Our Support team is available Monday to Friday, 8.00am – 5.00pm (EST).

Courtesy of SB Online

Tarong West Wind Farm developers RES hosted the Kingaroy Chamber of Commerce & Industry’s recent meet’n’greet, ensuring a big crowd turned up to hear more about the project.

The get-together, held at the KCCI’s “The Hub” office in Kingaroy Street, provided an opportunity for contractors to connect with local business people ahead of the start of construction of the $1.5 billion project.

The evening also attracted a strong contingent of accommodation providers, some of whom have previously expressed concerns about plans to develop a camp near Kingaroy to house project workers.

RES project manager Toby Coates introduced representatives from the key companies which are involved in Tarong West: head contractor Vestas Wind Systems, civil contractor MPK and electrical contractor Consolidated Power Projects (CPP).

These contractors are looking to connect with local businesses and suppliers to engage with the Tarong West project.

Mr Coates said it was important that the economic benefits from a huge project such as Tarong West were shared with the local business community.

He urged companies to register their interest with the ICN Gateway as soon as possible.

Mr Coates said 1531 companies had already registered, with just over 1000 in Queensland, including 62 from Toowoomba and 53 from the Western Downs but only 30 from the South Burnett.

He said the project had a target of employing 30 per cent of the workforce from across the three local government areas, and 10 per cent of the actual money spent locally.

Roles would not just be available in earthworks or electrical works as a lot of other businesses would also be involved; apprenticeship opportunities would also be available.

After the wind farm comes online, the aim would be for 80 per cent of employees to live locally, although in this operational phase, the number of FTE employees required should be about 20.

Mr Coates said the project had been in development for about seven years; all key approvals were now in place to build 97 turbines with a targeted construction starting date in September.

The aim was for Tarong West to be completed in 38 months.

The first stages would include road upgrades and the development of new access tracks.

The project would also include the construction of three new substations, two of which would be built by CPP and one by Powerlink; a 275kV transmission line already crossed the site.

Ownership of the project will pass to RES’s sister company, Innagreen Investments, as soon as construction starts with RES maintaining responsibility for construction management.

The KCCI used the opportunity of the meet’n’greet to launch the 2nd (and updated) edition of their “Supplier Capability Catalogue”, which provides information about 53 local businesses.

Copies of the new catalogue were given to representatives from each of the Tarong West project contractors.

See the full article and event images HERE.

Deb Frecklington MP recognises the important role local businesses play in supporting our communities, and the below  programs are designed to provide practical assistance and support to local businesses.

Secure Communities Partnership Program

There is still time for small businesses impacted by crime to apply for the Secure Communities Partnership Program.

Grants of between $5,000 and $20,000 are available to support essential safety upgrades, including alarm systems, surveillance equipment, and digital access control systems.

Eligible small and family businesses can apply with applications open until 30 June 2026, or until funding is fully allocated.

Queensland’s Export Awards

Our local exporters are doing incredible work creating jobs, boosting our economy, and showcasing our regional talent to the world and we’re proud to back them every step of the way.

There is just 2 weeks left to apply for the 2026 Premier of Queensland’s Export Awards, and we want to see our local businesses put themselves forward.

These awards shine a spotlight on Queensland businesses making their mark internationally – so let’s show Queensland we’re best in the state.

If your business is exporting Queensland-made products, services or ideas, don’t miss this opportunity!

The South Burnett Pantry is starting a Murgon outreach day on Thursday, 21 May 2026.

We’ve chosen to begin with one day per week, so we can learn the level of need in Murgon and surrounds and make sure we can meet demand (food supply and volunteers) consistently.

Just a Reminder – What is The Pantry?

The South Burnett Pantry is a volunteer‑run community service providing food relief and affordable groceries. The service is available to anyone needing a helping hand, including people in hardship and those impacted by the cost of living. It is also a resource for those looking for affordable food options.  Everyone is welcome, and no proof of Centrelink is required.

Where & when

• Every Thursday from 10:00 am (starting Thu 21 May 2026)
• Murgon Baptist Church Hall, 94 MacAlister Street, Murgon

• Open until 1:00 pm or sold out
• 60 x $50 trolley hampers available to start. This will change depending on needs moving forward.
• BBQ + tea/coffee available, plus a quiet place to sit and chat

Pre‑booking (helps us plan)

• Click here to pre-book a Murgon hamper: Prebook Murgon Trolley Hampers Here

• If booking for a specific week, please enter “Murgon” + the date (e.g., “21 May 26”) in the Recipient Name details so I can allocate a hamper for that week.

• I’ll refine the online form as soon as I can to make it more intuitive.

Want to help someone else?

If you’d like to support a family member, neighbour, employee or client, you can pre‑purchase Pantry vouchers that can be redeemed at Kingaroy or Murgon:

• https://thesouthburnettpantryinc.org/product/large-trolley/

Payments on the day

Cash (correct change appreciated) and EFTPOS available.

Volunteers needed

We are volunteer‑run and can’t do this without our community. If you (or someone you know) would like to volunteer, we need help in both Kingaroy and Murgon.

Questions should be texted or emailed to:

• Phone: 0499 118 821
• Email: enquiries@thesouthburnettpantry.org