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Business Growth Package Funding Application Kit – Arts & Creative Industries

Instructions for submitting applications for Business Growth Package (Arts & Creative Industries) Funding

Business Growth Package funding is intended to support Torres Strait Islander and Aboriginal entrepreneurs or businesses in the Torres Strait Region to start or grow a commercially-viable business.

This application round is specifically targeted at the Arts and Creative Industries.

The Arts & Creative Industries includes six main ‘segments’ or types of creative commercial activity, including:

  • Music, Visual & Performing Arts (e.g. musicians, singers, dancers, actors, jewellery-makers, weavers, sculptors and hair & make-up artists);
  • Film, TV & Radio (e.g. video producers, media professionals, radio journalists and radio presenters);
  • Writing & Publishing (e.g. creative writers, authors, curators and journalists);
  • Software and Digital Content (e.g. computer animators, software designers, video game designers);
  • Advertising and Marketing (e.g. marketing and advertising specialists, copywriters, public relations specialists);
  • Architecture and Design (e.g. architects, landscape architects, graphic designers, web designers, photographers, illustrators, fashion designers, interior designers).

Applications open on 3 July 2017.

Your Application should be submitted electronically by emailing the Application Form, available on the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) website www.tsra.gov.au and any required information to: economic@tsra.gov.au. If you cannot submit your Application electronically, you should print the forms, complete them, and provide two unbound copies of your Application to:

 

Economic Development Programme
Torres Strait Regional Authority
PO Box 261
Thursday Island QLD 4875

 

Enquiries

All enquiries relating to this Application Kit, or questions about the application process, should be emailed to economic@tsra.gov.au

If you do not have ready access to email, or are having difficulties completing or submitting the online forms, you may telephone the Economic Development Programme in the Torres Strait Regional Authority (TSRA) for assistance on (07) 4069 0700.

Updates to the Application Kit and Application Form

The TSRA reserves the right to amend the Application Kit and Application Form from time-to-time by whatever means it may determine at its absolute discretion and will provide reasonable notice of these amendments on the TSRA’s website.

 

PART B– APPLICATION PROCESS

  1. Application Format and Content
    1. Your Application must be submitted using the Business Growth Package Application Form (available online on the TSRA website at www.tsra.gov.au; hard or electronic copies can be obtained from the TSRA upon request).
    2. You must submit only one (1) Application Form per project at a time.
    3. Your Application Form must be submitted by the person or business entity that will operate the business and receive the funding and support.
      1. Please note, if you require assistance to complete the Application Form, a member of the TSRA Economic Development Programme may be able to help. They cannot provide advice on your responses or help you refine your business proposal, but they may be able to help you understand the questions and provide relevant information.
      2. The Economic Development Programme staff contact number is (07) 4069 0700.
    4. The Application Form must be completed in English.
    5. Applications will be accepted online, via email, or as hardcopy mail to the address listed on Page 1 of this Business Growth Package Application Kit.
    6. Applications made by email must be submitted as a PDF or Microsoft Word file. (Please note that Applications submitted in other formats cannot be accessed by the TSRA).
    7. Both electronic and hard copy Applications canbe in the form of multi- media files/presentations, videos or large documents (such as annual reports). The Application plus attachments should not exceed 5Mb to ensure accessibility through the TSRA email servers. Alternatively, your Application Form and any accompanying large multi-media files may be submitted to the TSRA on a USB drive or portable hard drive.
    8. Any emailed Application that includes prohibited attachments, or exceeds the attachment limit, will only be considered at the TSRA’s discretion in the Application assessment process.
    9. Please note: the TSRA cannot access files from Internet file sharing networks such as: Dropbox; Google Documents; iCloud; and any other similar programs. Any Applications which contain information which is to be accessed from such networks, will not be considered in the Application assessment process.
    10. If you submit a hard copy Application, two unbound copies are required. Hard copy Applications must only be submitted to the address specified on Page 1 of this Application Kit. To submit a hard copy Application, you should print out a fully expanded version of the Application Form and complete the relevant fields. If you are supplying information as part of your application in the form of multi-media files/presentation or videos, these must be supplied on a USB drive or portable hard drive along with your hard copy application.
    11. You may not alter the content of your Application following its submission. If you discover an error in your Application, please inform the TSRA immediately through the contact details provided on Page 1 of this Application Kit.
    12. You must:
  • Include sufficient information to enable the TSRA to assess the Application and make a value-for-money determination; and
  • Be clear, concise and answer all information requirements in this Application Kit.
  • Retain a Copy of Your Application
  • It is recommended you retain a copy of your Application for your record. You can save the completed Application Form to your computer or keep a printed copy.
  • How Will Your Application Be Assessed?
  • The TSRA will start by screening your Application for eligibility.
  • If your Application does not satisfy an eligibility criterion, the TSRA will inform you that your Application has been unsuccessful.
  • Eligible applications will be subject to a risk assessment by the TSRA.
  • The TSRA’s Risk Assessment Panel is an advisory panel only. It will provide recommendations to the TSRA’s Business Growth Package Assessment Panel.
  • All eligible Applicants will then be assessed by the Business Growth Package Assessment Panel.
    1. The Business Growth Package Assessment Panel will comprise senior managers from the TSRA and external industry and financial experts.
  • The Business Growth Package Assessment Panel will shortlist suitable applications for advancement to the next stage of assessment.
  • If your Application is not shortlisted, you will be advised by the TSRA in writing and you may request feedback.
  • If your Application is shortlisted, you will be invited to meet with the Business Growth Package Assessment Panel to discuss your business proposal and answer questions from panel members. This will provide you with an opportunity to share your vision for your business or business idea with the panel.
  • The panel may ask you to provide further written information to support your Application. If this occurs, you will be given 28 days to submit the additional information.
    1. If you do not provide the additional information within 28 days your Application will not be considered further.
  • Successful applicants that are offered a grant/loan package must apply for a loan with the TSRA, IBA or a commercial lender. This loan Application will be assessed against that institution’s standard lending criteria. The TSRA will then negotiate a grant/loan package (including any post-financing support) with the lender (if the lender is not the TSRA). If successful, the Applicant will receive an offer for a grant (from the TSRA) and a loan (from the lender) at the same time.
  • If you receive a grant from the TSRA, you may be eligible to receive
    business support and mentoring. A business support package will be designed for you based on your specific circumstances. The TSRA will negotiate the details of the support package with you and the commercial lender.
  • Meeting the eligibility and assessment criteria to a high degree does not guarantee that an offer of funding will be made. If more applications are received than funding available, each Application will be assessed in the order for the relevant stage of the process until funds are exhausted. Any Application that is not assessed or funded due to funding running out will be the first to be considered the following Financial Year.
  • The final decision about the approval of a grant will be made by the Funding Approver (the TSRA’s CEO or their delegate).
  • The Funding Approver will consider whether your proposal will make efficient, effective, ethical and economical use of Australian Government resources, and whether any specific requirements will need to be imposed as a condition of funding.
  • Assessment of Applications is the responsibility of the TSRA. The TSRA may seek advice from a lender on the commercial/financial viability of your business idea. Please refer Section 14 of this Application Kit for further information regarding your privacy and confidentiality.
  • All staff and external panel members involved in the assessment process will be required to declare any real or perceived conflict of interest and take appropriate action if / as required.
  • All staff and external panel members involved in the assessment process will be required to sign a deed of confidentiality and must comply with any TSRA policies, rules or laws governing the access and use of any personal and financial information provided through the Application and assessment process.
  • Any member of the TSRA staff or external panel member who provides assistance to the Applicant at any stage or assists in the development of the Application must not be responsible for decision-making processes.
  • In assessing your Application, TSRA staff and external panel members may use material included in response to one criterion in the assessment of other criteria.
  • The TSRA reserves the right to seek further information from you and make independent enquiries of other agencies and/or relevant third parties for the purposes of assessing an Application, whether or not the individuals or organisations contacted are nominated as referees by the Applicant.
  • The TSRA may also consider information about the Applicant that is made available through the normal course of business of the TSRA. The TSRA may consider information about any Applicant collected through previous contact or Applications from that individual or organisation and share such information with officials from the TSRA on a need-to-know basis. OTHER THINGS TO KNOW

PART C – OTHER THINGS YOU SHOULD KNOW

  1. Complaints Process and Dispute Handling
    1. Complaints about the process as it relates to your Application or the use of your personal information may be sent in writing to either of the following email addresses:
    2. economic@tsra.gov.au or
    3. info@tsra.gov.au or
    4. If you do not have access to email, you may telephone the TSRA on (07) 4069 0700 to seek advice about lodging a complaint.
    5. When the TSRA receives a written complaint, an investigating officer will be assigned.
    6. The investigating officer is responsible for: providing an acknowledgement of the complaint within 10 days of receipt, which summarises the complaint and indicates the expected timeframe for a formal response; ensuring all correspondence on the complaint is recorded and filed appropriately; investigating the complaint; preparing a report; and advising the Applicant in writing of the outcome.
    7. The TSRA will respond to you in writing and outline the issue that has been raised, what action has been taken to examine the issue and an assessment of the complaint.
    8. If this does not resolve the matter, you will have the option of an independent internal review.
    9. Independent Internal Review
    10. If you have lodged a complaint and you subsequently lodge a request for further examination, an independent internal review will be conducted.
    11. The internal review officer will promptly notify you in writing, to advise of their appointment and the expected timeframe for making the internal review decision. The notice will set out the matters that the reviewing officer considers may be relevant to the review decision. The notice will also request any necessary further information they require from you to conduct the review.
    12. The internal review officer will notify you in writing of the decision within the timeframe specified in the original notice. The notice of decision will outline the issue that has been raised and the matters taken into account in making the decision.
    13. Privacy and Freedom of Information
    14. Information collected as part of the Application and selection process is collected in order to make recommendations to the Funding Approver (the TSRA’s CEO or their delegate) on the allocation of funding and for administering the projects funded by the TSRA.
    15. Any personal information collected by the TSRA is protected by the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth). In general, the TSRA collects personal information to carry out its functions properly and efficiently, and uses personal information only for the purposes for which it was given to the TSRA and for directly related purposes (unless otherwise required by, or authorised under, law). You can find out more about the TSRA privacy policy by emailing economic@tsra.gov.au or contacting the TSRA on (07) 4069 0700.
    16. Section 191 of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Act 2005 (Cth) and the Privacy Act 1988 (Cth), places restrictions on the way the TSRA can use and disclose the information and documentation you provide in your Application.
    17. By lodging your Application, you authorise the TSRA or the commercial lender of your choice to use and disclose to each other your personal information and any information or documentation concerning your affairs that relates to funding provided by the TSRA. The TSRA will collect, use, store and disclose information provided in your Application for the purpose of assessing and providing advice on the commercial viability and financial sustainability of your business proposal.
    18. You should be aware that if you are successful, Australian Government policy requires the TSRA to publish information about the funded entity, its project and the funding. If you have concerns about this information being published, you should raise these during the Application process.
    19. The TSRA may release information contained in an Application if required under the Freedom of Information Act 1982. It may also provide that information to other Commonwealth departments, government organisations, assessors, members of parliament, the media and other stakeholders for the purposes of assessing the Applications, or for publicising projects, and for administering projects funded by the TSRA.
    20. If you do not provide the personal information requested, the TSRA may not have enough information to assess your Application and as a result, your Application may be unsuccessful on this basis.
    21. You may access your personal information or correct it by emailing economic@tsra.gov.au or contacting the TSRA on (07) 4069 0700.
    22. The TSRA does not send your personal information overseas as part of their usual practices. However, in particular circumstances the Privacy Act 1988 may require that it discloses your personal information to an overseas entity.