WE ARE HERE TO SUPPORT YOU 

Welcome to our Business Support Update.

We aim to keep you updated with business assistance during the uncertain times we are facing — drawing on information from reliable sources — Australian Government, consumer agencies, business associations, and our own mentor network. You are welcome to share this e-newsletter.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Community engagement on draft Climate Strategy
• Wages Subsidy Fund Open For Business
• Technology Adoption and Innovation Program open for applications
• Adapt or die”: Five lessons in business resilience from COVID-19

• High-Risk Industries Targeted In Easter COVIDSafe Blitz

• Trading on ANZAC Day

• Business interruption insurance claims and COVID-19

• Nick Minchin appointed as Grocery Code Independent reviewer

• Changes to company tax rates

• Jobkeeper Payments 

• Using your company's money or assets

• Connect with someone who can help you start and run your own business
• Digital tools for business

• Victorian Chamber  networking event in April

• Digital Masterclass Series and NEW Webinars
• Free Counselling for business owners

COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT ON DRAFT CLIMATE STRATEGY

Late last year, we asked for your ideas and feedback on how we can help you reduce your carbon emissions at home, work, school or in the community. We had a fantastic response to the consultation. Your feedback indicates that climate change is a genuine problem and that you recognise that your day to day habits have an impact on the environment. 

Our draft Our Climate Emergency Strategy 2021-2025 is now available for your feedback. The Strategy is supported by a Our Climate Emergency Strategy Action Plan. The Strategy outlines our commitment to strong and fast action on climate change.  

Tell us whether you think the draft Strategy and Action Plan will help us meet our ambitious zero net emissions targets and make a difference. 

You can have your say by:

• Completing an online survey
• Joining an online workshop on Wednesday 21 April from 6.30pm to 7.30pm.

Community consultation closes midnight Sunday 2 May 2021. For more information, visit our Have Your Say page at www.haveyoursaygleneira.com.au/climate-strategy 

WAGES SUBSIDY FUND OPEN FOR BUSINESS

As part of the landmark Jobs Victoria initiative, Victorian small and medium-sized businesses, sole traders, local councils, social enterprises, universities and not-for-profits are invited to apply for a share of $250 million in wage subsidies to create new jobs for at least 10,000 people.

The Fund will help Victorian businesses and organisations to rebuild and grow by providing a wage subsidy of up to $20,000 per eligible employee to meet the costs of taking on new workers for the first 12 months of their employment.

The Jobs Victoria Fund opens on 26 March 2021.

HIGH-RISK INDUSTRIES TARGETED IN EASTER COVIDSAFE BLITZ

Almost 4000 Victorian businesses will be targeted over the next three weeks to ensure they are complying with COVID-safe rules.

High-risk industries including retail, hospitality and licensed venues will be the focus of the blitz in a bid to ensure workers and the public aren’t exposed to the virus over Easter and the school holidays.

TRADING ON ANZAC DAY

Victorian law specifies that there are two and a half restricted trading days each year:

• Good Friday
• Christmas Day
• Between 12.01 am and 1pm on ANZAC Day.

On these days only exempt shops are permitted to open.

Visit the Business Victoria website for information about trading on a public holiday or restricted trading day.

BUSINESS INTERUPPTION INSURANCE CLAIMS AND COVID-19

If you run a small business, hold business interruption insurance and have been affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, talk to your broker and consider whether your policy covers COVID-19 related losses. If you do not have a broker, speak to your insurer.

 

CHANGES TO COMPANY TAX RATES

Are you eligible for the lower company tax rate? Instead of using the full company tax rate of 30%, you may be eligible for a lower company tax rate of 26% for the 2020–21 income year and 25% from the 2021–22 income year onwards if you are a base rate entity.

JOBKEEPER PAYMENT

The final JobKeeper payments will be processed in April 2021. Employers receiving JobKeeper payments will need to complete their final business monthly declaration to be reimbursed for March JobKeeper fortnights by 14 April 2021. If employers still need assistance they may be eligible for the JobMaker Hiring Credit or other help once the JobKeeper Payment has ended.

USING YOUR COMPANY'S MONEY OR ASSETS

If you use company money or assets, remember to report and record transactions properly. Find out when you can take money out of your company or use its assets, and the right way to report these transactions and keep proper records. 

CONNECT WITH  SOMEONE WHO CAN HELP YOU START AND RUN YOUR OWN BUSINESS

Entrepreneurship Facilitators promote and encourage self-employment and help people start and run their own business and create their own job. They provide tailored mentoring and advice through meetings, workshops and networking events. Entrepreneurship Facilitators operate in 23 locations across Australia. Anyone wanting to start their own business can access services from an Entrepreneurship Facilitator in these locations.  

DIGITAL TOOLS FOR BUSINESS

Find digital tools and software to help you connect with customers, collaborate with your employees and streamline your online marketing.

VICTORIAN CHAMBER NETWORKING EVENT IN APRIL

The next instalment of Victorian Chamber’s premier networking event, Business After Dark, will be at The George on Tuesday 13 April. This event brings together Melbourne’s business professionals in a relaxed and fun environment to enjoy a night of networking over drinks and canapés. No matter your business or position, this event will help you expand your network which can help open doors to new opportunities for your business.