We are one week into Stage 4 and businesses all over Victoria and Melbourne have been scrambling to adjust to the changes and understand what they need to do to be compliant. We understand that there is still some confusion in a few key areas such as leave and what government support has been updated or extended. 

The following is a list with links for more information in the key areas where we are receiving the most questions:

For staff who need to self-isolate due to COVID 19 the federal government has announced that it will introduce a pandemic leave disaster payment of $1,500 a fortnight for workers who do not have sick leave. This payment will be jointly funded by state governments as it has been declared a state of “disaster”. The new $1,500 payment is intended to supplement and support Victoria’s existing payment system by covering the fortnight of self-isolation after a positive result. The fastest way to claim is to call Services Australia on 180 22 66 or visit their site for more details here.

From 11.59pm Wednesday 5 August 2020, Victorian employers that require their staff to attend a place of work must issue each staff member with a worker permit. Visit the Business Victoria site for more information. 

All workplaces in Melbourne must be closed unless:

• the workplace is part of a permitted activity, or
• all employees are working from home.

Employers that require their staff to attend a work site must issue a worker permit to their employees – this is the employer’s responsibility. If you have new or additional employees that still need paperwork, download the Permitted worker permit (Word) and fill it out.

Each employee required to be on site must receive an individual worker permit with the required details. Sign the worker permit. You can print and sign or sign it electronically. 

Businesses must get an authorised person to sign the worker permit. This person might be the CEO, a HR manager, an operations manager or anyone else that is suitable. 

• They must be accountable for the details they provide. 
• They may be contacted by Victoria Police or other enforcement agencies to confirm the details.

• You can email or text the worker permit to your employee.
• An employee may travel to work without a worker permit once to get their first permit.

Under Victoria’s Stage 4 restrictions, there are new requirements for businesses. Permitted workplaces have until 11:59pm on Friday 7 August to implement their COVID Safe Plan. Every employer must complete this plan by 11.59pm 7 August 2020. If you have yet to create your plan or have questions about what is needed visit the Business Victoria site for more information.  

Through Business Victoria, the Commercial tenancy relief scheme will provide the following support:

• Six-month moratorium on commercial tenancy evictions from 29 March 2020 for the non-payment of rent for small to medium enterprises with an annual turnover under $50 million that have experienced a minimum 30 percent reduction in turnover due to coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Freeze on rent increases during the moratorium for commercial tenants
• Rental payment waiver or deferral proportionate to commercial tenants’ income reduction due to coronavirus (COVID-19), to be negotiated between tenant and landlord
• Mediation service for commercial tenants and landlords to support fair tenancy negotiations.

More information here visit the Business Victoria Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme page. 

The Victorian Government has announced a range of tax relief measures – land tax relief, payroll tax relief, liquor licence fee relief and motor vehicle duty relief – in response to the lockdown measures due to COVID-19. In addition to these measures, the State Revenue Office is assisting people affected by the pandemic by remitting penalties and interest charged on some assessments and providing interest-free instalment plans.

We recognise that this is a difficult time for businesses of all sizes in Victoria. If you require assistance accessing support measures or to go over next steps for business continuity, please get in touch. We are always happy to help with a phone chat or a free consultation. Things have changed quickly over the past week and we know many of you are still working through all of the new requirements.