What's in this weeks eBulletin Support for Employers Support for Sole Traders Economic Survival Package - Frequently Asked Questions Small Business Mentoring Service COVID-19 Impact Survey Business Support and Assistance (COVID-19) Helpful Links Business Development Program Contact the Economic Development Team COVID-19 Stage 3 Restrictions Support for Employers The Australian Government has announced further measures to support businesses impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19). If you employ staff you may be eligible for: JobKeeper Payment for Employers and Employees Temporary cash flow support Assistance to help pay the wages of apprentices and trainees Casual employees Employer obligations Super guarantee payments For further information and support for business, click here. Support for Sole Traders The Australian Government has announced measures to support businesses impacted by the coronavirus (COVID-19). If you're a sole trader you are eligible for: Jobkeeper Payment for Sole Traders The increased instant asset write-off Backing Business Investment (BBI) Increased and accelerated income support Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries SME Guarantee Scheme Early access to superannuation Tax Support To find out more click here. Economic Survival Package - Frequently Asked Questions The Victorian Government's $500 million Business Support Fund supports small businesses in the sectors hit hardest by the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic so they can survive and keep people in work. For answers to your questions about eligibility, timing and other support available, click here COVID-19 Business Impact Survey We would like to gain an understanding of how COVID-19 (coronavirus) is impacting local business. Your input will be used to inform action and advocacy for assistance, and inform government on short and long-term recovery priorities. This survey is mainly multiple choice and will take approximately 5 minutes to complete. Complete the Business Impact Survey here Business Support and Assistance: COVID-19 (coronavirus) Council’s Business Support and Assistance website page provides information, support and resources for businesses affected by the COVID-19 (coronavirus) crisis. Information provided includes Council’s Business Support, and links to Victorian and Australian Government support and economic packages. Updates for business about the range of support and assistance will be available through the webpage, e-bulletins and telephone support. Council’s Economic Development Team and Place Managers (Sunshine and St Albans) will be contacting businesses from Monday 30 March about the information on this webpage. For more information and contact details for the team, click here Small Business Mentoring Service The Small Business Mentoring Services (SBMS) offers low-cost mentoring sessions designed to provide support for businesses in these extreme times. Sessions are held with a mentor of your choice by Skype, Zoom or telephone. For further information about the SBMS service, please contact [email protected] or phone 9249 4000. Helpful Links: Business Victoria Website Victorian Government Economic Survival Package Australian Government Business Support Website Australian Government Stimulus Package Website JobKeeper Payment for employers and employees Department of Health and Human Services Business Development Program Business Workshops will only be available online until further notice. After registering via the booking link, you will receive an email with instructions and a link to join the webinar. UPCOMING WEBINARS Tax support for small business (ATO) - register here Victorian Business Together - Helping your Business (VCCI) - register here Taking Your Business Online: What you need to know - register here Marketing Your Business: How to Get it right, first time - register here How to Build a Professional Website in Wordpress - register here Webinars are subject to change with new topics being added regularly. For more information click here. Need to speak to someone in the Economic Development team? If you need assistance finding information, please contact the Economic Development team at [email protected] or phone (03) 9249 4000 Translation and interpreting services are available here STAGE 3 Restrictions Now Apply Under the Stage 3 restrictions gatherings are now restricted to no more than 2 people except for members of your immediate household and for work or education. The new directions mean that what was previously advice about staying home is now enforceable. Playgrounds, skate parks and outdoor gyms are now closed. These Stage 3 restrictions came into effect at 11:59pm Monday 30 March 2020. They will be in place for 4 weeks and reviewed as required. If people breach these directions, they face on-the-spot fines of $1,652 for individuals and $9,913 for businesses. Larger fines can also be issued through the courts. To find out more about the restrictions click here. | 