Government support & important ATO links
The COVID-19 business support measures, including those passed in Federal Parliament yesterday, will gradually flow through to businesses and individuals. We urge all businesses to log into the ATO website and set up for the new online access system. The previous auskey system has been replaced by the MyGovID It is easy to do and allows full access for lodgment etc. It is important for all businesses to lodge BAS and other statements promptly (quarterly or monthly) because that will trigger credits for the PAYG refunds or the JobKeeper Allowance, if due. On the topic of tax, all employees working from home can choose to claim an hourly ‘home office’ tax deduction of $.80 for the time working from home, though they should seek advice from their accountant at tax time.
JobKeeper Allowance and other employment topics
To get the full benefit of the support available and to ensure all measures are implemented correctly by employers, it is important for businesses to be well informed.
Our partners at FCB have prepared concise information on this and we recommend you take advantage of this. Please feel free to direct any questions to us and we will try to find the answers for you. You may also choose to use our dedicated helpline FCB: 02 9083 0033 (Mon-Fri)
Summary of Government support links
DITID on behalf of the Queensland Government is continuously updating its excellent list of COVID-19 information and valuable web links.
We particularly draw your attention in this edition to the section on Accommodation and Travel Directories. This gives some further clarity on the questions we have raised with the government about how to interpret the general Health Directives for non-resident visitors and accommodation service providers. In essence, it means Queensland residents have to stay home, visitors have to remain in the accommodation they are at now unless they fall into an ‘exempt’ category, ie essential workers etc.
All things legal
There are many legal issues arising for businesses from the COVID-19 situation. It adds complexity and uncertainty when businesses are already overwhelmed by operational and financial challenges.
Our corporate partners at Norton Rose Fulbright (NRF) have prepared on-demand information session, covering some important legal topics:
- Employment and Workplace Health and Safety matters
- Landlord and tenants arrangements
- Jobseeker Allowance
- Banking and Financial Restructuring considerations
- Insolvency relief
- Insurance implications
These are weighty topics (not light entertainment) but the webinar gives you access to the knowledge of four senior partners of the firm and may just help your business navigate some difficult questions. It is easy to access the presentation and you can skip through to the topic you are particularly interested in. Importantly, you can also type in any question and the NRF Partners will provide you with an answer via email.
Click here to access the webinar.
QTIC is fast-tracking the launch of a Micro-Credentialing program, which will provide skilling solutions for immediate benefit to tourism and hospitality businesses and their employees.
The project will provide 400 tourism and hospitality businesses and their staff with the opportunity to acquire specific skills, or micro-credentials, through a comprehensive online delivery platform. QTIC aims to reach at least 1,750 tourism and hospitality employees with this new tool.
The micro-credentials on offer will include: customer service – hotel/food and beverage, introduction to hospitality management, food safety - allergies – FOH and BOH, kitchen leadership for executive chefs, rostering management, food costs management, profit and loss for hospitality, customer (experiential) service, entrepreneurship, tourism and travel distribution channels. For more information click here.
The program is due to launch in the coming weeks and you can express your interest by filling out the below form.
EOI Form Employer
EOI Form Employee
And a quick ‘hello’ from one of the super cute (Easter) bilbies at Dreamworld.
Conservation + tourism = a great partnership!
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