COVID-19 information is constantly being updated. To keep our members informed, SIV has provided a summary of state and Federal support available to industry with links to key information. Please appreciate that this is a rapidly evolving situation so the information contained is based on what is current and will be updated as more information is released.
How we live- Information for all Victorians Victorians can now enjoy a COVIDSafe summer with a number of restrictions eased. These include changes to mask wearing and the number of people allowed at social gatherings in the home.
How we work- Information for Business and Industry From 18 January 2021, up to 50 per cent of office-based workers have been able to return to the workplace. The Victorian Public Service will be able to return to on-site work at 25 per cent capacity at each site. For workplaces with fewer than 40 staff, up to 20 staff will be able to return subject to density quotients. Employers are required to ensure workplaces keep to this limit and that all other staff continue to work from home.
Seafood Industry - Open with COVIDSafe requirements*
All businesses must have a COVIDSafe Plan if they have on-site operations including businesses operating from a home. FACE MASKS
Face masks continue to be mandatory in airports, hospitals, large retail stores over 2000 sqm, shopping centres, indoor markets, in taxis and rideshares, on public transport, and on domestic flights to and from Victoria.
You must carry a face mask with you at all times when you leave home unless you have a lawful reason not to.
It is strongly recommended you wear one whenever you cannot keep 1.5 metres distance from others.
CAPACITY
any shared space, or publicly accessible space, in a workplace must apply a density quotient of one person per two square metres when electronic record keeping capability is in place, such as the Victorian Government QR Code Service. If electronic record keeping is not used, a density quotient of one person per four square metres applies.
additional density quotient requirements apply for agriculture, forestry and fishing services industries.
RECORD KEEPING Record keeping applies to all Victorian workplaces.
employers must keep a record of all workers and visitors who attend the workplace for longer than 15 minutes, including first name, contact number, date and time of visit and areas of the workplace visited
employers are strongly encouraged to use electronic record keeping for this purpose. This includes the Victorian Governments QR Code Service
employers must keep records to show compliance with the Victorian Chief Health Officers Directions. This includes keeping logs created during the time of directions being in force in line with record keeping requirements, including work premises rosters, time and attendance records and payroll data.
SIGNANGE FOR ALL WORKPLACES
where a workplace has a publicly accessible space, employers must display signage at each public entry to each indoor and outdoor space, indicating maximum capacity, face mask restrictions where required, COVIDSafe hygiene and physical distancing requirements.
CLEANING FOR ALL VICTORIAN WORKPLACES
employers should ensure shared spaces and public spaces are cleaned with disinfectant regularly, with high-touch surfaces cleaned at least twice each day. Shared equipment should be cleaned between uses.
For more information on keeping COVIDSafe in the workplace click here Coronavirus business support and the industry coordination centre hotline - 132215
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Business Support The Victorian Government has announced a $3 billion package to help businesses survive and keep Victorians in jobs. The package includes:
The third round of the Business Support Fund provides grants of $20,000, $15,000 or $10,00, depending on size to around 75,00 eligible businesses with a payroll of up to $10 million. Applications opened Friday 18 September.
Sole Trader Support Fund ($100 million): The application period for the Victorian Government's Sole Trader Support Fund has been extended to 30 December to assist more sole trader businesses in specific industries operating from a commercial premises with their transition to COVID Normal. Grants of up to $3,000 are available to help with overhead costs. Full details on eligibility and how to apply click here:
$15.7 million package to help Victorian exporters get their products to market by addressing logistics and supply chain issues caused by the pandemic and establishing new trade channels through virtual trade missions and assistance adapting their export strategies in a rapidly changing global market.
The Victorian Government is providing one off payments to financially support Victorian workers, including parents and guardians, who are required to self-isolate or quarantine due to coronavirus (COVID-19). More information click here
The Small Business Digital Adaptation Program will allow eligible businesses to trial and then receive access to digital products, tools and training they can use to build digital capability in their day-to-day operations. Products currently available to businesses through this program include website, e-commerce, finance and digital business management tools. Registrations will remain open until funds are exhausted or until 11:59 on 28 February 2021. To register click here
$8.5 million to market and expand the CLICK FOR VIC campaign to promote small Victorian producer and encourage more Victorians to support local businesses.
A reminder that small business owners who are feeling stressed and overwhelmed can call the Partners in Wellbeing helpline on 1300 375 330 for wellbeing support. The service is free, confidential and available from 9am to 10pm weekdays and 9am to 5pm on weekends.
Small business owners can also access the Upskill My Business program which provides free online courses, live and on-demand events and a range of business resources to help them prepare for a strong recovery.
Unable to work due to coronavirus testing or isolation
If you have had a coronavirus test and are isolating until you receive results, meaning you can't go to work and won't get paid, you may qualify for the $450 test isolation payment.
If you test positive for coronavirus, you must isolate for 14 day. If you don't have leave from work, you may qualify for the $1500 worker support payment.
For more information click here. Victorian Travel Permit System A permit system has been established for all domestic travel into Victoria. From 5:59pm on 11 January 2021, you will need to apply for a permit to enter Victoria from anywhere in Australia. Apply for a permit at the Service Victoria website. The permit system is based on a traffic light system which allows for areas across Australia to be designated as green, orange or red according to their risk. The permit system is for both travelers to Victoria and residents of Victoria returning home from interstate travel.
For more information click here ____________________________________________________________________________________________
FEDERAL GOVERNMENT SUPPORT FOR SEAFOOD
To support the economic recovery, the Australian Government has extended and further tailored temporary economic measures to support sectors, regions and communities in these challenging times.
JobKeeper Payment and Coronavirus Supplement Extended The Australian Government is extending JobKeeper Payment and Coronavirus Supplement for those impacted by COVID-19. JobKeeper Payments will be extended by six months to 28 March 2021, and the Coronavirus Supplement will be extended until 31 December 2020.
From 28 September 2020, businesses and not for profits seeking to claim JobKeeper payments will be required to reassess their eligibility for the JobKeeper extension with reference to their actual turnover.
For employers participating in the Commonwealth Government’s JobKeeper program, “additional payments” you make to employees are now exempt from payroll tax. For payments to employees that have been stood down, the full $1 500 per fortnight is exempt. The additional payments are also excluded for the purposes of calculating WorkCover Premiums. For more information click here.
The ATO is administering the JobKeeper Payment and detailed information and guidance is available on the ATO website
Business Investments An increase to asset write-off threshold from $30,000 to $150,000 Businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million) until 30 June 2020.
Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme - Phase 2 The Scheme has now been extended and enhanced to support businesses in recovery and to enable continued support for SME's facing the ongoing impacts of the Coronavirus. Phase 2 includes targeted amendments to the Scheme's parameters to meet the evolving needs of SME's. Phase 2 of the Scheme will continue to support lenders' ability to provide credit and ensure that SME's benefit from low interest rates. Phase 2 of the Scheme commenced on 1 October 2020 and will be available for loans made by participating lenders until 30 June 2021.
Export Finance Australia - Business savings loan $250,000 to $50 million to assist with:
Working capital support
Capital investment
International expansion
Online growth
Export Assistance Australian businesses who are exporters or operating in an export supply chain who:
Have been trading for at least two years
Have had profitable operations in either of the two financial years prior to markets being impacted by COVID-19
Are unable to secure finance from the private market because of COVID-19
Have an annual turnover of at least $250,000
For information on the Australian Government’s economic response to coronavirus (COVID-19) click here: