Weekly Digest – 27 August 2021

Weekly Digest – 27 August 2021

Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward.

Australia Closes One-Way Travel Bubble from NZ

Australia has paused “green zone” flights from New Zealand that allow Kiwis to travel to the country without going into quarantine. All passengers on flights originating in New Zealand up until 11.59pm (AEST) on 23 August 2021 will need to go into 14 days of supervised hotel quarantine. The pause is due to be reviewed on Friday.

New Zealand has already suspended quarantine-free flights from Australia because of the NSW outbreak, which means the bubble is now completely closed.

Sydney Faces Curfew and Longer Lockdown

Sydney’s lockdown is being extended until 30 September, as the Delta outbreak continues to grow.

New South Wales reported a record number of cases yesterday. The new high local cases and deaths prompted Premier Gladys Berejiklian to require masks to be worn outdoors throughout the state at all times except when exercising.

From Monday, a curfew of 9pm to 5am has been imposed in western Sydney’s council areas of concern. Vaccinations will also be mandatory for all healthcare workers by the end of next month, and for childcare workers and disability support workers in the council areas of concern by 30 August.

Pfizer Vaccine Eligibility Expanded in Victoria

All Victorians aged 16 to 39 will be eligible for the Pfizer vaccine at state-run hubs from Wednesday, as the state tries to bring its Delta outbreak under control.

The lockdown is due to expire on 2 September, but there’s no word yet on whether this will be pushed through. However, given the number of cases, it seems increasingly unlikely that the restrictions will be lifted.

Extra $40 to $50 Million in COVID-19 Assistance for Childcare Centres

After the Victorian government’s announcement at the weekend to limit childcare centre attendees to the children of essential workers, Education Minister Alan Tudge said $40 to $50 million a week in new support for centres would be provided.

The new support package will provide 25% of a childcare centre’s pre-lockdown revenue if it is subjected to orders for children not to attend, and 40% of an after-school care centre’s revenue. It will be available to all childcare centres locked down for at least 4 weeks.

Furthermore, the funding is expected to provide immediate relief to about 3,600 services caring for children in greater Sydney, as well as another 1,200 services in Melbourne and Canberra.

Victorian Business Costs Assistance Program Round 2 July Extension

The Victorian Government’s Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two July Extension (BCAP2e) gives eligible businesses that had not previously applied for the Program in June, or have since become eligible, with the opportunity to apply for the equivalent of the July Top-Up Payments.

The program offers grants of $4800 to eligible businesses, including employing and non-employing businesses, depending on their industry sector.

Read the eligibility criteria here.

All hotspots: COVID-19 Disaster Payment for recognised lockdowns

This Federal Government support is lump sum payment for workers who cannot earn income because of a state public health order. You can check your eligibility here.

NSW Grants

The NSW Government will be offering financial support to businesses or not-for-profit organisations impacted by the recent COVID-19 restrictions and stay-at-home orders.

NSW: Micro-business grant

The micro-business grant is a $1500 fortnightly payment for businesses with a turnover between $30,000 and $75,000.

To check your eligibility and apply, visit the Service NSW website.

COVID-19 Business Grant

A one-off payment to help businesses, sole traders or not-for-profit organisations impacted by the current Greater Sydney COVID-19 restrictions.

Grants between $7,500 and $15,000 are available to eligible businesses depending on the decline in turnover experienced during the restrictions. For eligibility criteria and to apply, visit the Service NSW website.

JobSaver payment

JobSaver is a fortnightly payment to help maintain employee headcount (as at 13 July) and provide cashflow support to businesses. To check your eligibility and apply, visit the Service NSW website.

Small business fees and charges rebate

If you are a sole trader, the owner of a small business or a not-for-profit organisation in NSW, you may be eligible for a small business fees and charges rebate of $1500 aimed at helping businesses recover from the impacts of COVID-19. Applications are open and you can check your eligibility here.

You can view more NSW Government COVID-19 Support Packages here, including Jobs Plus, Sydney CBD Friday vouchers, Payroll tax support and support for the tourism industry. Get in touch with us if you have any questions.

QLD COVID-19 Business Support Grant

Your business may be eligible for financial support through the 2021 COVID-19 Business Support Grants. $5,000 grants will be made available to small and medium businesses across Queensland affected by COVID-19 lockdowns and lockdowns in other states. You must have experienced a 30% reduction in turnover as a result of the lockdown.

Applications will open in mid-August so we will keep you updated.

The Business Queensland website has an overview of the range of assistance available.

ATO support for those affected by COVID-19 restrictions or disasters

The ATO has a range of support options to help those affected by disasters or those experiencing challenges due to continuing COVID-19 restrictions.

The ATO may be able to:

  • prioritise any refunds owed to you
  • set up a payment plan tailored to your individual situation
  • remit penalties or interest charged during the time you have been affected.

If you need help to manage your tax or superannuation obligations, please get in touch with us.

JobMaker Hiring Credit’s Second Claim Period

The second claim period of the JobMaker Hiring Credit is now open. So if you’ve taken on additional young employees between 7 January and 6 April 2021, you may claim the following payments:

  • up to $10,400 over a year for each additional eligible employee aged 16 to 29 years
  • up to $5,200 over a year for each additional eligible employee aged 30 to 35 years

Register any time until the scheme ends.

Wage Subsidy Scheme for Apprentices and Trainees

The government has announced the expansion of the wage subsidy scheme for apprentices and trainees. Under the scheme, the government will pay half the wages of apprentices up to a maximum of $7,000 each quarter for 12 months. Ask us if you have any questions.

Training Incentive Allowance

The Training Incentive Allowance can help with tuition fees, books, childcare, equipment, transport and any additional caring costs while studying. It’s available for courses at levels 1-7 of the NZ Qualifications Framework. Visit the Work and Income website to find out who’s eligible, how much you can get and who can apply.

Did you know you could use the equity in your home to buy investment property?

With value of your property being increasing over the last 12 months, there is a good chance you would have some equity (the difference between the value of your property and what you owe to the bank) in your property. Have you ever thought what you can do with this equity? Did you know you can use this equity to pay for deposit and even costs such as stamp duty and legal fees of purchasing your next property? That means, providing your income can service the loan, you may be able to borrow 100% towards the purchase of your next investment property.

Get in touch with us to discuss this further. We will do the number crunching for you. We can even arrange the loan for you.

Quote of the week

Charlie Chaplin Inspirational Quotes with Pictures

Get in touch

We’re thinking of everyone affected by these ongoing lockdowns around the country and encourage you to get in touch with us if you need any assistance with the Government Support Grants. Please contact Assad SHAHI in our office by sending him an email at assad@countax.com.au. He will get back to you within 48 hours. Please be aware this is an extremely busy time of the year for us.  We appreciate your understanding that it may take us longer to return your calls or reply to your emails. We thank you for your patience. Rest assured that we’re here to help.  

Have a great weekend. Stay safe and be Happy.

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