Trade Guardian

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ACT Lockdown – FAQs about Business Assistance, Paying Staff and Vaccinations in the Workplace

While our friends and colleagues in other States have been dealing with lockdowns for a while, this is the first week of lockdown for the ACT.

At Trade Guardian we have quickly adapted to have our team work remotely. We just wanted to let you know we are still working and are here to help you. Please just get in touch via phone or email.

Rather than repeating information that is already being circulated and being kept up to date by the ACT Government and other industry specific sites, we thought it might be useful to answer some of the questions that are being frequently asked of us.  While still pointing you to key source information or sites, we are more than happy to chat with you directly about how the rules will apply to your specific situation

Question: What Support Payments will be available?

At this stage, there are two streams of payments available.

For Individuals – there are two available payments.

The COVID-19 Disaster Payment to support individuals who are unable to work due to lockdowns or stay at home orders.

There are two tiers of payments depending on how much work a person has lost.  Individuals can apply for these payments via their myGov accounts through Centrelink.

More detailed information about the COVID-19 Disaster Payment is available on the Services Australia website.

The next payment is the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, which is available for those directed to self-isolate or quarantine due to having COVID-19 or being a close contact of someone who does. For more information read here.

For Small Businesses

Covid-19 Business Support Grants

The ACT Government has announced that support will be available for small businesses in the ACT facing a significant loss in revenue due to the lockdown.

The business support grants will provide a $10,000 payment to employing businesses and $4000 for non-employing businesses over the three week lockdown.

The grants will be available to local business that experience a 30% reduction in turnover as a result of the health restrictions.

Eligibility will include:

  • Registered in the ACT as verified by an ABN and able to demonstrate primary operation in the ACT as at 1 April 2021;
  • Have an annual turnover of more than $75,000 (excluding GST);
  • Be registered for GST as recorded on the Australian Business Register before April 2021; and
  • Have total Australian payroll of less than $10 million.

We will keep our clients up to date as more details become available but to keep up with new information or to register interest in receiving these payments go to the ACT Government Business Hub Site.

Covid-19 Small Business Hardship Scheme

This scheme will provide up to $10,000. Eligible businesses will be able to receive credits for payroll tax, utility charges, rates and other selected fees and charges.

More details will be available for this soon as well from the ACT Government Business Hub site.

For Businesses in NSW

There are a range of supports available through the NSW Government for Business in NSW (including all our ACT neighbours).

For detailed information please go to the NSW Government Covid-19 Business Grants site.

Question: How do I manage and pay staff now that there is a Lockdown

The Fair Work Ombudsman website has some great information about what to do when workplaces have to shut down quickly because of a lockdown.

Employers may be able to stand down employees when there is an enforceable government direction or if there is a stoppage of work due to lack of supply for which the employer cannot be held responsible.

Employers should communicate with employees about a stand down and discuss other options including:

  • Working from home arrangements
  • Changes to duties, hours of work or rosters, or
  • Accessing paid or unpaid leave.

For more information read here.

We are happy to talk to you about options as they apply to your business

Question: How should we handle the discussion of Vaccinations in the Workplace?

Several clients have asked us how they should handle the discussion about vaccinations in the workplace.

These discussions are starting to come up as business owners grapple with providing services in higher risk areas or industries with stricter workplace requirements (like aged care facilities etc).

Again, the Fair Work Ombudsman Site has some really good information about this on its website. Here you will find information about

  • Managing vaccinations in the workplace
  • Requiring employees to be vaccinated
  • Refusing directions to be vaccinated
  • Providing evidence of vaccination
  • Resolving workplace issues.

Take the time to read here to access this information and see how if relates to your business.
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Trade Guardian Update

We are still here to work with you.  We were all set up to work remotely and will be in touch to make sure we can answer any of your questions. Please reach out if you have particular questions or concerns.

Remember if you need any assistance about the above or just have a general questions, please reach out and Contact Us.