COVID-19 QLD: Business – Tourism Lease Rent Payment Waiver and Deferral

This program aims to provide rent relief for holders of tourism leases, licences and permits on state land, in response to the impact of COVID-19 (coronavirus). It forms part of the Queensland Government's $27.25 million Immediate Industry Recovery Package which has been established to provide immediate assistance to help Queensland manage the impacts of the COVID-19 (coronavirus).

Depending on the tenure type, support includes:
1. State land rent waiver
- Rent for eligible tourism lessees, licensees and permit holders was waived for the period 1 April 2020 to 30 September 2020.
- A further waiver for eligible tourism tenures now applies for the period 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021.
- If receiving rental invoices quarterly, the Government have waived the payment of rental invoices due in the following periods (No rental invoice will be received for these periods):
a) 1 October 2020 to 31 December 2020
b) 1 January 2021 to 31 March 2021
- If receiving rental invoices annually, the annual rent invoice for the 2020-21 billing period will be adjusted to remove the rental amount due from 1 October 2020 to 31 March 2021. This rent invoice will be sent on 1 May 2021 and payment will be due on 1 June 2021.
- If the calculated adjustment results in the rental payment being lower than the minimum rent payable for the rental category, renters will only receive an adjustment down to the minimum rent.
- Applicants do not need to take any action to receive the rent waiver. The Government will automatically waive their rent.

2. Tourism rent deferral
- Lessees or licences for tourism purposes with an approved deferral of rent for the period 1 January 2020 to 31 March 2020 will have the deferral extended.
- Payment of rent for this period will now be due on 31 March 2021.

Please refer to the website for more information.

Tourism leases, licences or permits to occupy are eligible for a rent waiver if they are currently operating under their lease, licence or permit.

The following are not eligible for a rent waiver:
- Leases, licences or permits that are held by a commonwealth, state or local government entity, or a statutory authority or Government owned corporation.
- Leases, licences or permits on minimum rent.

Those who are not eligible for a rent waiver may still apply to defer their rent.