Apply for Tourism Business Digital Adaption Program QLD (Australia)

The Program is assisting implementation of the Our Thriving Digital Future: Queensland’s Digital Economy Strategy and to propel Queensland as a digitally thriving state. It is designed to meet some of the identified tourism industry digital gaps through a versatile array of digital enhancements so that businesses have the right technology and capabilities to excel. The Program will consist of:

• free trial/s of selected products;
• access to webinars and resources;
• Digital Champions Network; and
• To implement identified new digital product/s that would support tourism businesses in areas such as:
  • Website creation
  • Online booking and ticketing
  • Financial Systems
  • Customer Relationship Management Systems
  • Integrated Social Media Engagement
  • Content Creation
  • Future focused digital support tools.

The Program will also provide support for tourism businesses to assess their current cyber security arrangements, and to develop strategies to protect themselves from an unwanted cyber event through the Cyber Wardens program. This support will include access to a recorded webinar on cyber security, as well as a free short course designed to help small businesses safeguard against cyber-attacks.

Funding Information

• Rebates of up to $2,500.

Eligible Activities

• The funding will be available for eligible Tourism Businesses to upgrade current business processes to incorporate the use of the most up-to-date and effective digital platforms and tools, to help increase productivity and support the delivery of seamless visitor experiences.
• Successful applicants will be able to use up to $2,500 (GST exclusive) for a new annual subscription on identified digital products that will support the business. Where identified as part of the program, businesses may also claim approved costs associated with implementing a new digital tool.
• Successful applicants will be able to select a product from a program-approved list available on the QTIC website.
• The chosen product must be:
  • A new digital product not currently used by the business; or
  • An upgrade to an existing product used by the business with additional features that provide improved digital capabilities (e.g. a website that incorporates channel management).
• Hardware is only eligible for specific products with approved vendors, where necessarily acquired as part of an annual subscription or licence. General hardware such as laptops, tablets and mobile phones are not included as part of the program.
• The program will not include the cost of:
  • Renewals of existing products or software licences, or
  • Minor updates to existing products (e.g. software version updates), or
  • Products not approved by the program, or
  • Products purchased through a third party, or
  • Any product not licenced to the applicant for their own use, or
  • Any implementation costs for the installation or use of new digital products except those approved as part of the Program by approved vendors, or
  • Any products purchased prior to the date they receive the Program confirmation advice from QTIC.
• Successful applicants are encouraged to view webinars and other materials and resources supplied by the software providers and/or arranged by QTIC.
• Successful applicants are also encouraged to engage with and participate in a Digital Champions Network for their product category. This will be a Community of Practice forum for Program participants to share knowledge and experiences, ask questions and learn from users of the same platforms to maximise their digital capabilities.

Eligibility Criteria

• Eligible Applicants:
  • For the purposes of the program, eligible tourism businesses must, at the time of applying:
    • have fewer than 200 full time equivalent employees; and
    • hold an Australian Business Number; and
    • be registered for GST; and
    • have an established operating base in Queensland; and
    • operate in the tourism and events industry in Queensland or be a Queensland Local Government Authority (LGA); and
    • and have owners/directors who are not undischarged bankrupt; and
    • be solvent.
  • In addition, if an applicant is a:
    • Non-profit organisation, they must be a charity or other not-for-profit entity that is incorporated under a law of the Commonwealth or in Queensland
    • LGA, they must specify the owned tourism-focused business the digital product will be supporting.
  • For LGAs the tourism-focused business must have fewer than 200 full-time equivalent employees, not the total LGA.
  • State, Territory and Australian Government agencies or associated agencies such as statutory bodies or government owned corporations are not eligible for the subsidy.
  • Only one application per eligible applicant per Program year can be approved, based on ABN.
• Program Eligibility Criteria:
  • The rebate will only apply to approved applicants confirmed in writing by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council and with approved products purchased after the date of approval.
    • The business must purchase at a minimum an annual subscription to one approved digital product and be the identified subscription holder.
    • The business must provide evidence that the product has been paid for on or after the date of the advice of application approval by QTIC, and prior to 30 November 2024.
• Who can apply?
  • The business owner or an authorised employee for that business can apply for a rebate on behalf of the business.
  • Businesses need to submit their own applications. Application submissions from third parties are ineligible.

For more information, visit Australian Government.