Coronavirus economic support for businesses in Australia

Useful accounting and business resources to help you navigate through the Coronavirus pandemic

Over the past couple of months, we have pooled our resources in order to provide as much support and information to you and your business while we all navigate our way through the current landscape.

On this page, you will find access to accounting, economic and business resources which may help you understand your entitlements from the government, how to manage staff and your business through this time of transition.

Looking for more information about your circumstances? Contact our team today. We at pmwPlus have rolled our sleeves and we are here for you and your business.

 

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About JobKeeper 2.1

Published August 2020

The landscape Coronavirus has created means we all need to be prepared to act swiftly as and when events happen. Due to the recent upswing in cases in NSW and VIC, the Government have once again made changes to JobKeeper.

Between now and 27 September 2020, nothing changes

 

28 SEPTEMBER TO 3 JANUARY 2021

SUMMARY

    • From 28 September, businesses which did not qualify for the original JobKeeper program may now qualify for JobKeeper 2.1 payments
    • New turnover tests to determine eligibility will be implemented for businesses who wish to remain on the JobKeeper program past September 2020.

ELIGIBILITY
    • You will need to demonstrate that your actual GST turnover (as reported on your Business Activity Statement) for the September 2020 quarter has decreased by the relevant amount when compared to the corresponding September 2019 quarter.
    • The decline in turnover test remains the same:
      • Entities with turnover greater than $1 billion – 50%.
      • Entities with turnover less than $1 billion – 30%.
      • ACNC registered charities (excluding schools and universities) – 15%.


PAYMENT RATES

    1. The payment rate will be reduced from $1,500 per fortnight to $1,200 per fortnight for eligible employees and eligible business participants who work more than 20 hours per week,
    2. and to $750 per fortnight for eligible employees and eligible business participants who work less than 20 hours per week.

 

4 JANUARY 2021 to 28 MARCH 2021

ELIGIBILITY

    • Once again, you will need to reassess your eligibility.
    • You will need to demonstrate that your actual GST turnover (as reported on your Business Activity Statement) for the December 2020 quarter has decreased by the relevant amount when compared to the corresponding December 2019 quarter.

 

PAYMENT RATES

    1. The payment rate will be reduced from $1,200 per fortnight to $1,000 per fortnight for eligible employees and eligible business participants who work more than 20 hours per week,
    2. and to $650 per fortnight for eligible employees and eligible business participants who work less than 20 hours per week.


BUSINESS PARTICIPATION ENTITLEMENT
Sole traders and some other entities (such as partnerships, trusts or companies) may be entitled to the JobKeeper Payment scheme under the business participation entitlement. A limit applies to one JobKeeper payment per fortnight for one eligible business participant. Sole traders, one partner in a partnership, one beneficiary of a trust, and one director or shareholder of a company may be regarded as an eligible business participant.

 

To learn more, click here to access the Government’s Fact Sheet about the JobKeeper Extension. 

 

 

About JobKeeper 2.0

Published July 2020

On Tuesday 21 July 2020, the Government announced changes to the JobKeeper program. While information is still being released about JobKeeper 2.0, we thought it best to summarise what we know so far.  Click here to read more. 

 

Summary of all government initiatives

Published May 2020.

We have developed a quick video summarising all government stimulus initiatives and have answered your most popular questions about JobKeeper, click the video below to watch. Otherwise, feel free to scan the information below for other helpful tools and resources we have available for you.

 

Made with Visme Presentation Maker

New Recovery Grant expected from NSW State Government

Announced June 2020

In mid-June, the NSW Treasurer announced a new Recovery Support Grant to help small businesses reopen following the easing of restrictions state wide. Click here for further information. 

 

Become a COVID Safe Business

Service NSW is giving businesses the opportunity to show their commitment to safety and their community by becoming one of Australia’s COVID-Safe businesses. In three steps, one of which includes completing a Safety Plan, businesses can gain access to marketing materials to show they are in the fight to help stop the spread and are conscious of looking after their customers.

Click here to complete the COVID Safe Application 

 

SafeWork NSW Small Business Rebate

The $500 Small Business Rebate is open to small business owners and sole traders in NSW who buy and install equipment to make their workplace safer. Any sole trader or small business owner that has completed an eligible event with SafeWork after 1 August 2019 has 12 months to apply for the rebate.  Watch the video below to understand how to get the rebate or click here to read more. 

 

Newcrest Beyond the Curve Program 

Eligible small businesses in Orange, Blayney and Cabonne that have been impacted by COVID-19 can now apply for financial support through Newcrest’s Business Beyond the Curve Program.

Announced in June 2020, Newcrest has provided $500,000 for its Business Beyond the Curve Program, which is being administrated by Central NSW Business HQ and supported by the Orange Business Chamber.

Click here to learn more.

 

 

Webinars

1. Managing your business through COVID-19:  

Watch: To view the webinar, click here to download (be sure to follow the prompts to download. Note: as the webinar went for two hours, the file may take a few minutes to download).

Presentation: Please click on the following link to access the slides from this webinar: pmwPlus_COVID19 Webinar Stimulus Package

Webinar held on 25th March 2020.

 

2. Finding your way through COVID-19, an employment and mental health: 

Presentation: Please click the following link to access the slides from this webinar: Employment and Mental Health Webinar

Note: Unfortunately there was a technical error with the recording of the webinar. Please refer to the slides for information. Thank you for your understanding.

Webinar held on 31st March 2020.

 

3. Where are we now? An update on the economic response to Coronavirus:

Watch: To view the webinar, click here to download (be sure to follow the prompts). Please note; the video file is quite large, please give some time for the file to download before you press play.

Presentation: Please click on the following link to access the slides from this webinar: Update on the Government Economic Response_15.04.2020_Slides

Webinar held on 15 April 2020. 

 

Checklist 1561054798 (1)

COVID-19 Business Continuity Plan

Published 31st March

Understand your Fair Work and Fair Trading obligations

Published May 2020

Understanding JobKeeper

Published May 2020

 

For Individuals

Published April 2020

How to claim COVID-19 stimulus benefits

We’ve prepared a step-by-step guide on how to go about applying for the Coronavirus Supplement, Economic Support Payment, Job Seeker, Youth Allowance and Parenting Payment options which are now available to you from the Government. Download here: COVID-19 – Job Seeker, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment Fact Sheet

New working from home shortcut – announcement from the ATO

The Australian Taxation Office has announced a new working from home policy as a result of the coronavirus. This policy will make it easier for people to claim deductions when working from home. Read the official statement here.

What expenses can I claim now that I’m working from home? 

As mentioned in the point above, the ATO has announced a new working from home policy. We’ve summarised these rules for you in our latest blog article, click here to read more. 

 

coronavirus information for individuals

 

Commercial Tenancy Code of Conduct

Click the following link to view the National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct for Commercial Leasing Principles: national-cabinet-mandatory-code-ofconduct-sme-commercial-leasing-principles

This document provides an understanding of the mutual responsibilities which landlords, tenants and banks (Australian & foreign) have to each other as we all navigate through the coronavirus pandemic.

 

 

Looking for more information about your circumstances? Contact our team today. We at pmwPlus have rolled our sleeves and we are here for you and your business.