The Small Business Support Pool is one component of the suite of programs delivered under the revitalised Back to Work initiative, which is designed to give businesses the confidence to employ Queenslanders who have experienced a period of unemployment and help workers facing disadvantage in the labour market.

Under the revitalised Back to Work program, there is a stronger focus on supporting employers to keep or retain their employees on a long-term and ongoing basis.

The Small Business Support Pool is one component of the suites of programs delivered under the revitalised Back to Work initiative, which is designed to give businesses the confidence to employ Queenslanders who have experienced a period of unemployment and help workers facing disadvantage in the labour market.

Eligible businesses can access a payment of up to $2,000 to support the retention of a Back to Work supported employee.

Funding can be used for a range of categories including training, digital upgrades, mentoring and coaching and workforce development. All applications must demonstrate how the funding being sought is linked to the retention of the Back to Work supported employee.

Applications

Applications can be made through QGrants after the initial 12 weeks of employing a Back to Work-supported employee.

Who can apply?

Business Eligibility:

To be eligible to apply, the business must:

• have an active Back to Work Employer Incentive Payment and/or Youth Boost payment agreement for a current employee whose employment commenced on or before 30 June 2025
• have employed the Back to Work employee for at least 12 weeks;
• employ less than 20 people; and
• detail, to the Departments satisfaction, how the funding will help the business retain the employee.

You may not use funding for:

• anything that doesn't clearly help to retain the Back to Work employee
• marketing, advertising or promotion
• business operating costs (e.g. rent, utilities, or stock)
• any support that is already funded by the Australian Government (e.g. you can't apply for funding to renovate a workspace to support an employee with disability if that renovation has already been funded under the Australian Government's Employment Assistance Fund)
• back payment for goods or services you've already paid for
• personal or business debt
• employment costs (e.g. wages, superannuation or WorkCover)
• services or goods provided by parties related to you (such as companies with common shareholdings or directorship, or your employees or immediate family).

• Email: backtowork@desbt.qld.gov.au