Small businesses and tourism operators can access free financial counselling with Rural Financial Counselling Service SQ (RFCSSQ).
While the COVID-19 impacts on the tourism sector and small business owners in Southern Queensland have been widely acknowledged, the long term answers are harder to find.
Moreton Bay businesses can use the service to assist with managing cash flow, raise operating capital and finding ways to innovate to recover and regain market share.
In June this year, the Australian Government committed more than $4.7 million nationwide to provide small regional businesses affected by COVID-19 with access to free and confidential financial counselling through the Small Business Financial Counselling Program.
The program is delivered by RFCSSQ and CEO, Jenny Whip said the funding was a great boost.
“We operate the Small Business Financial Counselling program in Southern Queensland with a rapidly growing team to support an increasing number of small business owners that are struggling with COVID19 and drought impacts,” she said, “The funding announced in June this year enables us to increase the number of support staff to provide free, impartial options for small business owners, an opportunity to truly understand their current financial position and the chance to make important business decisions with support.”
Expanding the service into Moreton Bay Region has seen the introduction of experienced local financial counsellors.
“Our counsellors come from a range of backgrounds with experience in a range of industries including accounting, banking, financial counselling and operating their own small businesses,” Jenny said.
Minister for Agriculture, Drought and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the funding would help eligible small businesses access the immediate advice and assistance they need to keep afloat and navigate the road to recovery.
“Small businesses are the lifeblood of our regional communities and we know that many are struggling through drought and trying to recover from this season's devastating bushfires,” Mr Littleproud said.
“This measure is designed to ensure that businesses remain resilient through the COVID-19 downturn and are able to rebound when normal trading conditions resume.
“This funding is in addition to the $7 million already provided for small business financial counselling services in drought-affected communities.”
The funding is part of the Government’s $1 billion Relief and Recovery Fund, which is delivering targeted assistance to regions, communities and industry sectors that have been disproportionately affected by COVID-19.
More information on the fund is available at
https://www.regional.gov.au/regional/programs/covid-19-relief-and-recovery-fund.aspx
To arrange Small Business Financial Counselling in Southern Queensland, the program on 1300 732 777 or visit www.rfcssq.org.au.