Superceded – see 2021 version

Reference page for Information on Stimulus Packages available.

Employers will need to register for the JobKeeper package, see the link below:

Links from NSW Business Chamber (now known as Business NSW) $10,000 Grants for NSW Small Businesses 3 Apr 20 – please note information on how to apply for this will be available through Service NSW within the next fortnight, up till 1 Jun 2020. It has been copied off the Bushfire recovery grants, so if you skim over the application process for them it should give you a good heads start. 16 Apr 20 – These grants are now open – https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/transaction/apply-small-business-covid-19-support-grant Latest Relief and Government Response 31 Mar 20 Supporting businesses to retain jobs 31 Mar 20 *** Register for JobKeeper Payment *** 31 Mar 20 Summary below Employers guide to the coronavirus 31 Mar 20 Coronavirus COVID-19 31 Mar 20 Mental health services and support contact list 31 Mar 20

 

Other Links Cases of COVID-19 in NSW by Local Government Area (Shire) from NSW Health website 31 Mar 20 Important Information for Patients – Coronavirus (COVID-19) from  Healthengine.com.au 31 Mar 20 News from our local State Member of Parliament, Adam Marshall 31 Mar 20 Adam Marshall’s facebook page (a facebook account not required to view this) 31 Mar 20

Other information will be posted here as it comes available. Data current as at 16 Apr 20

Resources (with thanks to Business NSW, New England North West):

COVID19 letter to landlords TEMPLATE – rental	COVID19 letter to landlords TEMPLATE
Ergonomics_Checklist	Leave_Policy
Letter_ to_Employee_Advising_Stand_Down	Mental_Health_Policy
Working_From_Home_Checklist	Working_From_Home_Policy

From Business Australia:

Dear Business Owner,

The highly awaited JobKeeper payments open up shortly, for payments (reimbursements) to commence in the first week of May.

Whilst you can’t complete the enrolment till 20 April 2020, you can prepared your financial loss statement in advance to make certain you’re affairs are in order, and that you’re in fact eligible for the program.

From 20 April 2020, employers (or your registered tax professional) can enrol for the JobKeeper payment:

Step 1 – Register your interest and subscribe for JobKeeper payment updates

Step 2 – Check you and your employees meet the eligibility requirements.

Step 3 – Continue to pay at least $1,500 to each eligible employee per JobKeeper fortnight (the first JobKeeper fortnight is the period from 30 March to 12 April)

Step 4 – Notify your eligible employees that you are intending to claim the JobKeeper payment on their behalf and check they aren’t claiming JobKeeper payment through another employer or have nominated through another business.

Step 5 – Send the JobKeeper employee nomination notice to your nominated employees to complete and return to you by the end of April if you plan to claim JobKeeper payment for April. Keep it on file and provide a copy to your registered tax agent if you are using one.

Step 6 – From 20 April 2020, you can enrol with the ATO for the JobKeeper payment using the Business Portal and authenticate with myGovID. You must do this by the end of April to claim JobKeeper payments for April

Step 7 – In the online form, provide your bank details and indicate if you are claiming an entitlement based on business participation, for example if you are a sole trader.

Step 8 – Specify the estimated number of employees who will be eligible for the first JobKeeper fortnight (30 March – 12 April) and the second JobKeeper fortnight (13 April – 26 April)

 Eligibility

1. Charity or not for profit: a turnover reduction of 15% for at least one month
2. Turnover less than $1 billion: a turnover reduction of 30% for at least one month (this includes sole traders or self-employed people)
3. Turnover over $1 billion: a turnover reduction of 50% for at least one month

Eligible employees are current employees or those employed as of 1^st March and rehired. This included full time, part time and casual employees who have been employed by you for at least 12 months. This includes stood down employees, however there are restrictions for migrant workers.

Calculating your reduction can be done a few ways as advised by the ATO online:

• Actual Year on Year (i.e. March 2020 vs. March 2019)
• Projected Year on Year (i.e projected April 2020 sales vs April 2019 actuals)
• Projected Quarterly (i.e projected April-June 2020 vs April-June 2019 actuals)
• If you haven’t been trading for a year, the tax commissioner will have discretion to assess

The tax commissioner will also have discretion to set out alternative test that would establish eligibility in specific circumstances and consider additional information that there business can provide to establish there has been significantly impacts due to COVID-19.

Business NSW has more information and resources available online HERE.