Additional Assistance Programs

First Nations-led research to tackle health issues facing First Nations people and help close the health and mortality gap - these research projects involve listening to Indigenous communities in order to get better outcomes.

The next grant opportunity is currently open for applications until 6 March 2024.

Further details about the successful projects can be found at Attachment A.

Description:

Queensland Tourism Industry Council, in partnership with the Queensland Government and Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to provide support for First Nations people wishing to attend Destination IQ 2023, by covering registration costs. 

Queensland’s premier First Nations tourism conference, Destination IQ, will be held in Cairns on Nov 22. QTIC invite you to join delegates of all backgrounds as we discuss the latest trends and topical issues impacting Queensland and First Nations Tourism.

Be inspired and build new connections by purchasing a ticket here: https://ow.ly/mVLp50Q3LMT

QTIC with the Queensland Government and Tourism and Events Queensland, we proudly support First Nations people wanting to attend Destination IQ. You can learn more about our subsidy program here: https://ow.ly/3W9x50Q3LN2

The new FairPlay system, Enquire, is now open and accessible for existing and new users to register.

Parents, carers or guardians can apply for a voucher valued up to $150 for their child, which can be used towards sport and active recreation membership, registration or participation fees with registered activity providers.

There is a limit of 1 voucher per child per calendar year.

Eligibility

You can apply if your child:

• is a Queensland resident aged from 5 to 17 years (inclusive) at the time of application
• did not receive a FairPlay voucher this calendar year
• holds, or whose parent, carer or guardian holds, a valid Services Australia Health Care Card or Pensioner Concession Card with the child’s name on it.

Click here to learn more information

Women's Worry Up Program

The Women's Worry-Up Program is a Murri Women's Yarning Circle to empower participants by understanding anxiety, with sessions held on selected Mondays on the Sunshine Coast and Thursdays in Gympie. 

*Click locations above to view brochure*

If you have patients that can benefit from these sessions, call the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Team on 5479 9608.

Housing & Employment (HEP) Program

Struggling to pay your rent whilst studying?

You may be eligible for the Housing and Employment Program, which provides financial and other supports for low-income earners to sustain their tenancy while studying.

The Program is delivered by MAX Solutions and is funded under the Qld Department of Communities, Housing and Digital Economy.

Click here to view the HEP flyer

For more information and to check eligibility, contact the Bundaberg Case Manager, Janelle, on 0459 097 145.

COVID-19 Resources & Information

There is significant and evolving information being distributed regularly by Federal, State and Local governments in response to the unfolding Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

This page of Biedo's website will serve as a central database of resources and information and will be updated regularly as the situation changes. Please check back regularly to access updated information.

View more at biedo.org.au

Mob Strong Debt Help

Mob Strong Debt Help is a free legal advice service about money matters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples from anywhere in Australia. Financial Rights Legal Centre specialise in the law about consumer loans (like credit cards, payday loans, car loans and home loans), banking, debt recovery and insurance (like car, home, travel, life, funeral, and pet insurance).

Financial Rights Legal Centre is a specialist community legal centre. They are non-government, non-profit organisation and provide information, advice and assistance to individuals and also argue for a fairer financial services market for consumers, particularly low-income and disadvantaged consumers. 

Click here for further debt assistance

Payments and support for Indigenous Australians

• ABSTUDY can help you and your family with study, Australian Apprenticeship or traineeship costs, as well as travel.
• Relocation Scholarship can help if you need to move to, or from, a remote or regional area to study. It’s paid once a year.
• Student Start-up Loan is a voluntary loan you can get up to twice a year. You can get it if you’re an eligible higher education student. It can help you buy study-related items like textbooks.
• Tertiary Access Payment helps students with the cost of moving from an outer regional or remote area for tertiary study.
• Assistance for Isolated Children Scheme can help you with the extra study costs for your children. It's for people who can’t go to a state or public school on a daily basis because they either:
  • live in an isolated area
  • have a disability or special education need.
• You may also be able to get Remote Area Allowance if both of the following apply:
  • you get one of our payments
  • you live in a remote area.
• Centrepay helps pay bills and expenses as regular deductions from your Centrelink payments. This can make it easier for you to budget

Click here to view further information & other Australian Government support services

NILS (No Interest Loan Scheme) - No longer available

Please note: the StepUP program is no longer available.

Existing clients can continue to repay their loans until final completion.

If you are an existing StepUP client and require assistance with your loan, you will continue to be supported by the NAB and can call them directly on 1800 701 599 with any queries. Interpreters are available if required.

Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander clients can access NAB support directly on 1800 966 100.

Click here to learn more

Victim Assist Queensland

Victim Assist Queensland provides financial assistance to victims of violence that happened in Queensland. Learn more about how to make a claim and how to claim urgent expenses.

Australian Indigenous Coffee (AIC) Creative Grants 

2 x $10,000 Creative Grants on offer for First Nations storytellers, writers, illustrators and artists.

The grant is open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander storytellers and writers working in any genre, this could include junior, young adult and adult  fiction, non-fiction, poetry, memoir, children’s picture book and graphic novels. The grant is also open to all Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists and illustrators working in any medium.

View the terms and conditions & apply here

Skillsets for Successful Tenancies is a free course designed to help you secure and keep a rental property by developing key knowledge and critical skills needed to rent successfully.

The Cashless Debit Card (CDC) program is ending in early 2023. What you need to do depends on where you live, or lived when you got your CDC. This may not be where you live now.

Click here to view the flyer

For more information, click here to visit the Services Australia website

This program aims to assist Australian Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander screen content makers in travelling to key international and Australian events.

Funding that can be requested, supported by a budget, are up to:

• $6,000 for international travel
• $3,000 for travel within Australia

Applications must be submitted at least five weeks before the event.

The First Nations Commissioning Fund is focused on investing in opportunities that share First Nations stories and cultural knowledge and elevate awareness of Queensland’s exceptional First Nations arts and cultural products and experiences.

Objectives

The First Nations Commissioning Fund:

• Supports the development and presentation of new work and cultural programs by First Nations artists, arts workers and organisations
• Strengthens skills development and provide new employment opportunities for First Nations artists and arts workers
• Grows a pipeline of high-quality First Nations arts, cultural products, and experiences

Click here to find out more & how to apply

Community Partnership Innovation Grants

Program Details

Applications for round 2 of the Community Partnership Innovation Grants (2022-23) are now open, with up to $3 million in funds available for communities across Queensland.

One-off grants of up to $300,000 are available for local projects that support young people, who are or could become offenders, to change their behaviours and improve community connection.

The grants support new ideas and projects that target the unique issues being experienced by local communities, and that are designed in partnership with the local community.

Click here to view the Fact Sheet

Click here to learn more & how to apply

Business Basics Grants Program

The Business Basics grants program provides support to businesses to increase core skills and adopt best practice.

This support includes funded activities in 5 priorities:

1. Training and coaching
2. Website build or upgrades
3. Professional business advice
4. Strategic marketing services
5. Business continuity and succession.

The program is administered by the Department of Employment, Small Business and Training (DESBT).

Detailed eligibility criteria

To be eligible for this grant, your business must:

• not have been approved for funding under Round 1, 2 or 3 of the Business Basics grants program
• have fewer than 20 employees (by head count) at the time of applying for the grant
• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN) and be registered for GST
• have headquarters in Queensland
• have an expected turnover of $300,000 or less in the last financial year (2021–22)
• not have owners/directors that are insolvent or an undischarged bankrupt.

Your business must also maintain this eligibility for the duration of the grant funded activity.

Click here to learn more & how to apply

DCLP Emerging Leaders Workshop

The GRC Developing Community Leaders Program (DCLP) in collaboration with Blue Wren Connections and Gladstone Region engaging in action Together (GRT) is a series of co-designed,  community-led workshops across the Gladstone Region. The workshops focus on relationships, leadership development and collaboration across sectors, to encourage emerging leaders to move into leadership roles within the Gladstone Region. The workshops will equip the community leaders with the skills and knowledge to effectively collaborate to drive change and champion positive futures for the Gladstone Regions communities.

If you are interested in attending these workshops, please register click here to RSVP

If you have any questions, contact Wendy 0407 382 284

For the second SQW funding round in 2022–23, a SQW Community Recovery package has been activated to assist with the clean-up and re-building program across 21 identified local government areas in South East Queensland and the Fraser Coast region as a result of widespread damage caused by extraordinary rainfall and flooding.

Projects funded under Work Skills Traineeships – SQW Community Recovery will offer immediate job opportunities to displaced workers and local job seekers in disaster affected areas to support the recovery effort.

Participants will:

• earn a certificate I level qualification in business, construction, conservation and ecosystem management, hospitality or retail services
• gain practical experience in real work situations that align with their training
• complete paid work that can be included in their resumes
• receive a mix of career advice, job preparation skills and foundation skills

Learn more and check your eligibility here

The Bundaberg Neighbourhood Centre is hosting a Youth Leadership Development workshop which is open to all young people between 15 and 25 years of age.

Please share the flyer with your networks and any young people who are interested in learning more about being a leader. We have some great presenters who can share their views on being a leader.

Registration details are on the flyer.

View flyer

About the 2023 Indigenous Languages Grants

Indigenous Languages Grants aim to increase the number and strength of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages spoken in Queensland in partnerships with Aboriginal peoples and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Applications for grants have closed and currently in progress of assessing.

For more information about the Indigenous Languages Grants, visit www.qld.gov.au/ilg