Open Call: Tourism Business Digital Adaption Program (Australia)

The Program is assisting implementation of the Their 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.

Program Offerings

• The Program will consist of:
  • free trial/s of selected products;
  • access to webinars and resources;
  • Digital Champions Network; and
  • rebates of up to $2,500 to implement identified new digital product/s or an upgrade to an existing digital subscription that would support tourism businesses in areas such as:
  • Website creation
  • Online booking and ticketing
  • Payment Gateways
  • Point of Sale Systems
  • Back-end 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.

How does the program work?

• Eligible tourism businesses complete an application form on the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) website.
• Applications will be assessed and awarded to eligible applicants in order of receipt.
• Applicants will be advised of the outcome of their application in writing from QTIC via the email address submitted with their application.
• Successful applicants will be contacted with Program-approved products and packages from registered providers.
• Successful applicants will take up trial periods of approved digital products (where offered by software providers) and if satisfied, sign up for an approved product which may consist of an annual digital subscription and approved implementation support costs where relevant.
• In order to receive a rebate of up to a maximum of $2,500 (plus GST) towards the approved products, businesses will be required to submit supporting information including:
  • Confirmation they are using the digital platform;
  • Confirmation that this is a new digital platform, or an upgrade from their current platform (providing details where necessary);
  • Provision of evidence (valid tax invoice and proof of purchase) of a product purchased on or after the date of the advice of application approval by QTIC, and up to and including 21 November 2025;
  • Provision of bank details and proof of a bank account in the same name as the approved applicant for processing the payment of the rebate.
• Once validated, the rebate will be paid to the value shown on the valid tax invoice/s and proof of payment to a maximum of $2,500 (plus GST).
• Program participants will be surveyed on information such as the level of use of the new software, how digital skills have improved, and whether digital capabilities have positively impacted financial performance. It is a condition of the Program that recipients must complete and return the survey

Eligible Products and 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 (plus GST) for an annual subscription for a new or upgraded annual subscription on an identified digital product/s from an approved provider. Where identified as part of the program, businesses may also claim approved costs associated with implementing a new digital tool.
• In addition, approved applicants from Year 1 who claimed a rebate for an approved digital product or subscription/s are permitted to claim a second year’s subscription for the same approved product, up to an additional maximum of $2,500 (plus GST).
• Successful new Year 2 applicants will be able to select a product from a program-approved list available on the QTIC program 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 (eg 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 (except for an extension of an approved Year 1 rebated subscription) , or
  • Minor updates to existing products (eg 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.

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
• Only one new application per eligible applicant per Program year can be approved, based on ABN.
• State, Territory and Australian Government agencies or associated agencies such as statutory bodies or government owned corporations are not eligible for the subsidy.

For more information, visit QTIC.