COVID-19 Updates

Financial support packages for businesses in New South Wales and Victoria have been expanded to assist wage earners and to support entities during the extended lockdowns and ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

NEW SOUTH WALES

In NSW, the JobSaver threshold was raised from $50 million to $250 million yesterday, making more businesses eligible for assistance.

The maximum weekly available payment was also increased from $10,000 to $100,000.

The decision to expand the support packages for businesses came with the news that the NSW Government has extended its lockdown orders for Greater Sydney until midnight 28 August 2021.

Affected NSW residents and businesses must remain within a 10km radius of their Local Government Area, in line with current exercise rules.

Click here for more information on restrictions.

Click here to apply for the grants.

VICTORIA

In Victoria, a jointly funded package from the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments will deliver an additional $400 million in support to thousands of businesses.

This includes a $156 million Business Continuity Fund, a new $85 million Small Business COVID Hardship Fund and support for commercial tenants and landlords.

Click here for details of individual programs in the Victorian package.

Read the Prime Minister's media release.

• The minimum payment will be $1,500 per week
• The maximum payment will be $10,000 per week.

Eligibility

To be eligible for JobSaver you need:

• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
• demonstrate your business was operating in NSW on 1 June 2021
• have had a national aggregated annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million (inclusive) for the year ended 30 June 2020
• have experienced a decline in turnover of 30% or more due to the Public Health Order over a minimum 2-week period within the Greater Sydney lockdown (commenced 26 June) compared to the same period in 2019
• for employing businesses, maintain your employee headcount on 13 July 2021 while you continue to receive JobSaver payments
• for non-employing businesses, such as sole traders, show that the business is the primary income source for the associated person. If you have more than one non-employing business, you can only claim payments for one business.

Evidence to support eligibility

If your business does not meet all the eligibility criteria, you may be able to apply for JobSaver if you can provide evidence to support the alternative circumstances outlined in the guidelines.

If you can't complete your application online, call Service NSW on 13 77 88.

Applications close 11:59pm on 18 October 2021.

All Victorians are required to work from home, except where this is not practicable.

Following advice from the Dental Board of Australia Level 3 dental restrictions for Metropolitan Melbourne will come into place from Friday 7 August.

• Any ancillary business (including IT) involved in the production, supply, manufacture, repair, maintenance, cleaning, security, wholesale, distribution, transportation or sale of equipment, goods or services necessary for the operations of a permitted work site or for closed work sites where there are safety or environmental obligations.
• The following industries are, in addition to the Universal obligations are required to have a High Risk COVID Safe Plan with enhanced obligations:
  • Warehousing
  • Distribution centres
• A 33 per cent reduction of warehouse and distribution related staff compared to peak capacity.

ENDS.

Currency Of Information & Disclaimer
This update was issued on 5 August 2020 and please note that changes in circumstances after the publication of material or information may impact upon its accuracy and also change regulatory compliance obligations. The statements, regulatory and technical information contained herein are believed to be accurate and are provided for information purposes only. Readers are responsible for assessing its relevance and verifying the accuracy of the content. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ADIA will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred in relation to or arising as a result of relying on the information presented here.

Today the Premier expanded further on the restrictions and advised further details will be provided during this week. The restrictions are being implemented to limit the movement of people, and therefore limit the movement of this virus.
 

1. Supermarkets, grocery stores, bottle shops, pharmacies, petrol stations, banks, newsagencies, post offices, plus everyone involved in the frontline response, will continue to operate.

3. The final list is made up of industries that are permitted to operate but under significantly different conditions. Information on industries effected will be provided later in the week.
 

All open businesses and services will have until 11:59pm Friday 7 August to enact a COVIDSafe plan focused on safety, prevention, and response if coronavirus is linked to the workplace. We previously provided information on how to become a COVIDSafe plan and it can be sourced here.

ENDS.

Currency Of Information & Disclaimer
This update was issued on 3 August 2020 and please note that changes in circumstances after the publication of material or information may impact upon its accuracy and also change regulatory compliance obligations. The statements, regulatory and technical information contained herein are believed to be accurate and are provided for information purposes only. Readers are responsible for assessing its relevance and verifying the accuracy of the content. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ADIA will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred in relation to or arising as a result of relying on the information presented here.

Dental practice restrictions at level one
Along with changes to schooling, restaurants and cafes, and health and fitness, this also means a possible rollback to stricter dental practice restrictions. Currently at level one, the Australian Dental Association Victoria Branch (ADAVB) is discussing the possibility of moving to level two with the Chief Medical Officer. You can read requirements for each individual stage here. While still operating at level one, the ADAVB is recommending those practicing in 'hotspot' areas take further precautions. You can read the recommendations and latest news from ADAVB here.

Victoria - New South Wales border closure
As well as the stay at home order, this week the NSW Government has also elected to close the border between NSW and Victoria. The border between Victoria and South Australia will remain closed also. No exemptions or permissions are currently required to enter Victoria, however, if travelling from Victoria to New South Wales, a permit is required. Read more about permit categories, exemptions and how they apply to your business here.

News from ADIA - Insights Webinar Series
As part of the expansion of our online offering, ADIA is introducing the Insights Webinar Series this month. The webinars are free for members and will be held on the third Tuesday of each month (10am AEST / AEDT).

The ADIA has been very fortunate to book a varied and esteemed line up of speakers for the series.

The first webinar, to be held on Tuesday 21 July, will feature Kaixin Owyong from NAB presenting a 2020 Economic Outlook. Kaixin is an Economist in the Global Markets Research team at NAB. She has a strong track record of translating economic data into clear and insightful analysis.

Webinar 2 - Tuesday 18 August: Tracey Duffy, Therapeutic Goods Administration

Webinar 3 - Tuesday 15 September: The Hon Michaelia Cash, Minister for Employment, Skills, Small and Family Business
Webinar 4 - Tuesday 20 October:
Panel Session "What does the change in Scope of Practice mean for Industry"
Panel includes, DHAA, ADOHTA, ADPA, ADANSW and DAPA

ENDS.

Currency Of Information & Disclaimer
This update was issued on 9 July 2020 and please note that changes in circumstances after the publication of material or information may impact upon its accuracy and also change regulatory compliance obligations. The statements, regulatory and technical information contained herein are believed to be accurate and are provided for information purposes only. Readers are responsible for assessing its relevance and verifying the accuracy of the content. To the fullest extent permitted by law, ADIA will not be liable for any loss, damage, cost or expense incurred in relation to or arising as a result of relying on the information presented here.