Mandatory Code of Conduct for Commercial Tenancies – Landlords will be required to reduce rents proportionate to the reduction in trade experienced by their tenants (if they are small to medium-sized retail, office and industrial businesses in distress) due to COVID-19. Rental relief would be proportional to a tenant’s decline in turnover and provided in two parts: (at least) 50% as a waiver and 50% as a deferral for payment over the remaining term of the lease.

COVID-19 Job Hub – The Australian Government has released a COVID-19 Job Hub to help the many employees that have been adversely affected by COVID-19 and reducing workforces, to more easily access jobs in health and care sectors, transport and logistics, some areas of retail, mining and mining services, manufacturing, agriculture and government sectors, among others that are experiencing increases in demand.

Australian Business Continuity Online Resource Centre provides access to free business services during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Coronavirus Business Liaison Unit engages with business regularly and provides updates to government on crucial issues.

Export Market Development Grants – $49.8 million support package for Export Market Development Grants, allowing exporters and tourism businesses to get additional reimbursements for costs incurred in marketing their products and services.

Third economic stimulus package:

• JobSeeker payments to people with partners who earn up to $80,000.
• JobKeeper payments of up to $1500 per employee for businesses to keep staff on.

Second economic stimulus package:

• temporary relief for financially distressed businesses
• Coronavirus affected regions and sectors.
• Boosting cash flow for employers to keep staff – Businesses and not-for-profits, with a turnover less than $50 million will receive a tax-free cash payment of up to $100,000 to help them retain staff and continue operating. Under the enhanced scheme, employers will receive a payment equal to 100 per cent of their salary and wages withheld (up from 50 per cent), with the maximum payment being increased from $25,000 to $50,000. In addition, the minimum payment is being increased from $2,000 to $10,000. During July-October 2020 eligible entities will receive an additional payment equal to the total of all of the Boosting Cash Flow for Employers payments they have received. This means that eligible entities will receive at least $20,000 up to a total of $100,000 under both payments.
• Apprentices and trainees – if you employ an apprentice or trainee you may be eligible for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of their wage paid from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. You can register for the subsidy from early April 2020.
• Temporary relief bankruptcy – the government will make a number of changes to the personal insolvency system regulated by the Bankruptcy Act 1966. The threshold for the minimum amount of debt required for a creditor to initiate bankruptcy proceedings against a debtor will temporarily increase from its current level of $5000 to $20,000. This will apply for six months. Failure to respond to a bankruptcy notice is the most common act of bankruptcy. The time a debtor has to respond to a bankruptcy notice will be temporarily increased from 21 days to six months. The extension will give a debtor more time to consider repayment arrangements before they could be forced into bankruptcy. This will apply for six months.
• Increasing the instant asset write-off – the threshold has been increased from $30,000 to $150,000 and expanded access to include businesses with aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million). This applies from 12 March 2020 until 30 June 2020, for new or secondhand assets first used or installed ready for use in this timeframe.
• Tax relief – If you are experiencing difficulties with tax obligations because of COVID-19, you can phone the Australian Taxation Office Emergency Support Infoline on 1800 806 218 for help tailored to your circumstances or email COVID-19Taxissues@ato.gov.au
• Backing business investment – a time limited 15-month incentive to support business investment and economic growth over the short term, by accelerating depreciation deductions. This applies to eligible assets acquired from 12 March 2020 and first used or installed by 30 June 2021. Businesses with a turnover of less than $500 million will be able to deduct 50 per cent of the cost of an eligible asset on installation, with existing depreciation rules applying to the balance of the asset cost.

Visit the Australian Government business website for more information and support.

Training: 

Infection control training

The Department of Health has a free 30-minute online training module available to health care workers including doctors, nurses, care workers, allied health professionals, reception staff, cleaning staff and others, in all settings, such as hospitals, primary care, disability care, aged care, pharmacies, dental practices and more. It covers the fundamentals of infection protection and control for COVID-19. Register for the training with the Department of Health.

TAFE free online courses

TAFE NSW is offering a suite of 21 fee-free online short courses to assist job seekers and workers looking to diversify their skills, and businesses in hibernation to upskill their workers.

The 21 short courses include:

•  eMarketing for Small Business
• Engaging Customers Using Social Media
• Writing and Presentation Skills
• Computing Skills
• Team Leader Skill Set
• Administration Skills for Team Leaders.

For more information and to browse the courses, visit TAFE NSW.

From Beyond Blue:

Practical tips to help run your small business from home