CAIRNS COVID-19 BUSINESS SUPPORT
COVID-19 will impact every business and touch every household. This crisis will last many months. Many businesses and jobs will remain impacted long after current restrictions are lifted. This is a time of great stress and anxiety for many of us as we juggle the health of ourselves and family (including older and more vulnerable relatives) alongside our businesses and families financial position.
We appreciate that in times of stress and anxiety it can be difficult to digest the large amount of COVID-19 information available and make the right decisions. This website is a free resource designed to help all Cairns Business owners navigate the support available. The simple video format makes this information practical and accessible.
This is a collaboration between Halpin Partners, Cairns Post and the key business advocacy groups: Cairns Chamber Of Commerce, Advance Cairns and TTNQ and is supported by federal member Warren Entsch and state member for Cairns Michael Healy.
Please reach out to your Accountant or trusted business advisor and take action. If you have questions or need assistance please click the link below.
INTRODUCTION
April 10 2020
JOB KEEPER PAYMENTS
April 10 2020
Under the JobKeeper Payment, businesses impacted by the coronavirus will be able to access a subsidy from the Government to continue paying their employees. Affected employers will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum period of 6 months. For more information on the Job Keeper Payment: business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/JobKeeper-payment
EMPLOYER CASHFLOW BOOST
April 8 2020
Employers will receive a payment equal to 100 per cent of their salary and wages withheld (up from 50 per cent), with the maximum payment being increased from $25,000 to $50,000 and the minimum payment increased from $2,000 to $10,000. An additional payment is also being introduced equal to the total of all of the Boosting Cash Flow for Employers payments received. This means that eligible businesses will receive at least $20,000 up to a total of $100,000 under both payments. Not-for-profit entities will also be eligible. Please find further information at the following link: business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Boosting-cash-flow-for-employers
ASSISTANCE TO HELP PAY THE WAGES OF APPRENTICES OR TRAINEES
April 8 2020
Eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of the apprentice’s or trainee’s wage paid during the 9 months from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020. Where a small business is not able to retain an apprentice, the subsidy will be available to a new employer. Employers will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $21,000 per eligible apprentice or trainee ($7,000 per quarter). Please find further information at the following link: business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Supporting-apprentices-and-trainees
ACCESSING GOVERNMENT BACKED LOANS
April 8 2020
Federal and State Governments are offering various loan solutions to businesses. These are not handouts and do require due diligence however, the indications are that it would appear the proposed rates and repayment terms are unbeatable in the market. For more information on the Queensland Government loans, please click here: qrida.qld.gov.au/current-programs/covid-19-business-support/queensland-covid19-jobs-support-scheme The Federal Government scheme is detailed here: business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/supporting-the-flow-of-credit
OTHER GOVERNMENT SUPPORT
April 8 2020
Other relief that is being rolled out to businesses includes Payroll tax relief, Deferred payments, Instant Asset write offs. For more information on Payroll Tax Relief, click here: business.qld.gov.au/running-business/employing/payroll-tax/lodging/coronavirus-tax-relief For more information on the instant asset write off please follow this link: business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/increasing-the-instant-asset-write-off
BUSINESS MANAGEMENT DURING THE CORONA VIRUS CRISIS
April 8 2020
Running a business at the best of times provides challenges and at the worst - a whole lot more to think about. Darren and Shaun discuss some of the fundamental business management practices that will assist. Combined with some great government support on various levels, the survival of business in Tropical North Queensland will depend upon it.
COVID-19 HR ISSUES
April 23 2020
Shaun talks with Melinda Foley one of the Directors of MacDonnells Law with regard to some fo the emerging HR issues and measures put in place in Australia.
COVID-19 RESIDENTIAL LEASE ISSUES
April 23 2020
Shaun talks with Melinda Foley one of the Directors of MacDonnells Law with regard to some fo the emerging HR issues and measures put in place in Australia.
IT"S NOT TOO LATE
May 15 2020
It is not too late – you have up to 31 May to enrol for JobKeeper and claim for April and May.
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Don’t miss out - most impacted business do qualify, our experience is that many businesses who initially did not think they qualified for JobKeeper did qualify.
PAPERWORK REQUIREMENTS & CAShFLOW CHALLENGES
May 15 2020
Get your paperwork in order – the ATO are commencing audit activities, you need to make sure your records are up to date to make sure you continue to receive JobKeeper and avoid penalties
SUPPORTING PARTNERS
HALPIN PARTNERS ACCOUNTANTS
CAIRNS POST
CAIRNS CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
ADVANCE CAIRNS OUR REGION ONE VOICE
MICHAEL HEALY MP
WARREN ENTSCH MP
