Information for the legal profession on
COVID-19 outbreak
We will continue to monitor and update the legal profession with the latest news regarding COVID-19.
The government's three-step plan to move towards a
COVID safe community
The government has released a three-step plan that provides a pathway for states and territories to move towards a COVID safe community in a way that best suits their individual circumstances, their current public health situation and local conditions.
- Step 1 will focus on carefully reopening the economy and giving Australians opportunities to return to work and social activities, including gatherings of up to 10 people, up to 5 visitors in the family home and some local and regional travel.
- Step 2 builds on this with gatherings of up to 20, and more businesses reopening, including gyms, beauty services and entertainment venues like galleries and cinemas.
- Step 3 will see a transition to COVID safe ways of living and working, with gatherings of up to 100 people permitted. Arrangements under step 3 will be the ‘new normal’ while the virus remains a threat. International travel and mass gatherings over 100 people will remain restricted.
For the detailed roadmap, click here. For the summary roadmap, click here.
Preparing to go back to work
The National COVID-19 Coordination Commission has created an online planning tool to help business develop a plan to keep their workers, customers and the community safe as they reopen or increase their activities in the weeks and months ahead.
The tool can be downloaded from the NCCC website.
Information is also available on the Safe Work Australia website safeworkaustralia.gov.au, where you will find industry-specific guidance, as well as links to the relevant work health and safety authority in your jurisdiction.
Australasian Law Management Journal
See the latest edition of the Australasian Law Management Journal which features the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on law firms. Read more.
Updates from the Family Court and
Federal Circuit Court
Federal Circuit Court of Australia has launched a remodelled website homepage.
While the content of the website has not changed, the layout of the homepage is now more effective and has been restructured with direct links to the Court’s three main areas of filing: family law, migration law and general federal law.
The Courts have established a court list dedicated to deal exclusively with urgent parenting-related disputes that have arisen due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Read more.
The Courts have a dedicated page for all COVID-19 related information for the profession at the following:
Updates from the Federal Court
In efforts to address challenges that have resulted from the COVID-19 pandemic, the Guide to Good Practice on the Use of Video-Link under the Evidence Convention will be made available to the public at no charge on the HCCH website.
A link to the guide is available here.
You can also read the latest updates from the Federal Court here.
ATO Support for People Affected by COVID-19
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is implementing a range of COVID-19 support measures for businesses and employers and for individuals and employees as part of the Government’s economic support package.
The ATO has also implemented a range of additional relief options and support for those who may need further assistance during this difficult time.
The latest information relating to JobKeeper enrolments and payments is available on the ATO website.
Below are links to key contact information that may assist you:
- ATO Community – Available 24/7 with questions, answers and regular updates
- Making a tip-off – To report any known or suspected illegal behaviour
- Verify or report a scam – If your constituent thinks they have been contacted by a scammer or are suspicious about an email or SMS
- Call centre – With information about our extended hours of operation
- COVID-19 language help – For those who may need assistance in another language
- JobKeeper Payment language help – Website information on JobKeeper in other languages
- JobKeeper – Information for employees
- People with disability – Includes support services available for everyone in the community
