Small Business Start-up Grants - Apply Now

The Whitsunday Small Business Start-Up Program is a council-administered business grant fund targeting start-up business opportunities in the Whitsunday region.
It is a competitive and merit-based grant program that aims to attract entrepreneurs to undertake start-up business activities in the Whitsundays.
Successful applicants have the opportunity to receive monetary funding of up to $10,000 (matched 50:50 by the applicant) for business-related activities in a start-up new business.
Council will ensure the successful applicants will align with our identified regional economic opportunities and will not compete with existing business.
The program aims to benefit the Whitsunday Region by:
- Increasing employment;
- Attracting new investment;
- Increasing local supply and/or manufacturing supply chains (i.e. local import replacement, local procurement);
- Establishing new trade opportunities (local, inter-regional and/or overseas);
- Value adding to the existing Whitsunday region; and
- Providing circular economy benefits.
To find out if your start-up is eligible download the Program Guidelines here.
You can also view Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) to assist you before applying.
Apply Now!
You can submit your application by completing the Online Application form below
OR
To complete a paper application, please download the Application Form (Word document) and submit via the Upload Hardcopy Application tab below
OR
Deliver your completed hardcopy application by Post or in person to one of Council's Customer Service Centres (contact details below).
Contact Us
Phone: 1300 972 753 (WRC QLD)
Email: info@whitsundayrc.qld.gov.au
Post: Small Business Start-up Business Program, PO Box 104, Proserpine QLD 4800
Important Dates:
Applications Open: 1 February 2019
Applications Close: 15 March 2019
Notice of Application Outcome: by June 2019
This program forms part of a wider strategy for economic prosperity in the Whitsunday region. Council have developed this initiative as a direct response to Action Item 5.2 of the Whitsunday Region Economic Development Strategy 2017-2022.
For more information on starting your business, download the Starting Your Business Checklist here
Small Business Start-up Program Application
Please complete the form below to apply for the Small Business Start-Up Program.
You should allow approximately 1 hour to complete your application. Please note you cannot save and return to later.
If you wish to complete the application on paper, please download the Application Form which is available on the webpage, and return to Council via email, post or in person at our Customer Service Centres.
The application portal will be available to access until 5pm, Friday 15 March 2019.