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

• Be COVID fraud aware

• Is your QR Code connected to Victoria's Contact Tracing System?

• Are your ABN details up to date?

• Business Research and Innovation Initiative (BRII) are now open

• Jobs Victoria Fund

• It’s time to review your fringe benefits for the year

• Continued support for commercial tenants and landlords in response to coronavirus (COVID-19)

• Trading on Anzac Day

• Energy tips to switch on savings

• Free workplace safety consultation service
• Did you business suffer losses from COVID-19 
• Wednesday Webinars 
• Wellbeing Helpline
• Glen Eira Business Support

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.

BE COVID FRAUD AWARE

Scammers target small business owners as they recognise they are busy and usually have limited resources to keep their systems safe. Scam risks have increased as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

The latest COVID-19 scams are designed to take advantage of the changes to our daily life including:

• loss of jobs and financial vulnerability
• fear of infection
• the shortage of particular goods and services

Is your QR Code connected to Victoria's Contact Tracing System?

Record keeping is vital to keeping Victorians COVIDSafe. All QR code apps used for record keeping need to connect with the Department of Health’s contact tracing system. What does this mean for business owners? Use the free Victorian Government QR Code Service, or check if your QR code app provider is compatible with the Victorian Government’s new Visitation Application Programming Interface (API).

Are your ABN details up to date?

It's important to update your ABN details within 28 days of when you become aware of any changes. This ensures that the right people have the right permissions to act on behalf of your business, government agencies have your current information, and you are ready for new government services when they become available.

Do a quick check today to see if you need to update your business details.

BUSINESS RESEARCH AND INNOVATION INITIATIVE GRANTS (BRII) 

Are you a committed innovator? Does your business have a strong tech capability? Seed your ideas with a Business Research and Innovation Initiative grant, and help solve government regulatory challenges now

JOBS VICTORIA FUND

Are you a Victorian business and ready to take on new staff? You may be eligible for a wage subsidy of up to $20,000. Wage subsidies can be used to meet the costs of taking on new employees for the first 12 months of employment.

The Jobs Victoria Fund will support employers to grow and recover while helping employ at least 10,000 people who are looking for work.

It's Time to Review Your Fringe Benefits for the Year

The end of the fringe benefits tax (FBT) year is just around the corner, so it’s time to get ready to lodge your 2021 FBT return by 21 May. If your business provided different benefits to adapt to changing circumstances over the past 12 months, these may be exempt from FBT. This includes laptops or other portable electronic devices provided to employees to work from home, emergency accommodation/food/transport and emergency health care.

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.

Energy Tips To Switch On Savings

Between looking after your customers, staff and the products or services you offer, there’s a lot you’re already juggling. However, there is one important element that’s quite often overlooked when reviewing running costs and that’s your energy consumption
 

Free workplace safety consultation service

Looking for a way to receive free, independent and personalised advice to manage safety in your workplace? WorkSafe Victoria's OHS Essentials is a free workplace safety consultation service, delivered by independent occupational health and safety (OHS) experts. Apply for the program today for access to confidential, independent and personalised workplace safety advice from an industry expert.