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COVID-19 | Business Links & Resources

In an effort to support our members, we’ll be collating information and resources from our industry network to guide businesses through mitigating this unknown territory.

by The AFC

21 March 2020

COVID-19 | Business Links & Resources

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It’s time for change. Let’s do it together.

First and foremost, we hope that you and your loved ones are staying safe and healthy. Navigating these unprecedented times has been for us, as we are sure it has for you, extremely challenging. 

And yet, we are choosing to look at this as an opportunity to reassess, reconnect and reinforce our commitment to enacting much needed change in our industry. 

For now, our number one priority is to continue to support our members and our community at large. In the coming weeks, we will also be delivering Webinars hosted by industry experts and focused on helping you stay in business. 

In the meantime, we urge you, whenever possible, to take a long term approach in making decisions about your business, always putting your people first and working closely with them to find ways to keep them safe at work and secure in their ability to provide for themselves and their families.

There are many challenges ahead, but we’re in this together. There is opportunity to slow down, innovate and collaborate in new ways - and do what our industry does best, get creative. 

Check in on one another, stay informed and keep in touch.

The AFC Team

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RESOURCES

Below you’ll find a list of Industry references and resources to assist you as you manage your business decisions through this time. We’ll be updating the list below as new information becomes available. (Last Update; Monday 6th April)

If you have any additions, questions or areas you’d like us to delve into, please email us at info@ausfashioncouncil.com

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FROM THE AFC COMMUNITY

Ragtrader | Read the latest news updates around the Covid-19 crisis specific to the Australian fashion & retail sector; www.ragtrader.com.au

Marque Lawyers | Have a workplace ‘Cheat Sheet’ with key points when it comes to managing employees and your workplace during the COVID-19 crisis; www.marquelawyers.com.au

Employsure | Coronavirus: FAQ & Resource Hub for Employers; employsure.com.au

Fashion Equipped | Have a number or free webinar recordings and a checklist for SME’s navigating Covid-19 HERE

The Business of Fashion and McKinsey & Company | Coronavirus Update to The State of Fashion 2020 annual report, explores the themes set to define the fashion ecosystem after the dust settles; www.businessoffashion.com

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AUSTRALIA WIDE

On 30 March, the Government announced the $130 billion JobKeeper Payment to help keep Australians in jobs as we deal with the significant economic impact from the Coronavirus.

This brings the Government’s total support for the economy to $320 billion across the forward estimates, representing 16.4 per cent of annual GDP.

View the economic response to the Coronavirus HERE >>

Treasury.gov.au

To find out about Cashflow Assistance for Business: treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/businesses

The Australian Government is supporting Australian businesses to manage cash flow challenges and retain employees. Assistance includes cash flow support to businesses and temporary measures to provide relief for financially distressed businesses.

Business.gov.au

Find financial assistance, eligibility and timing for the new government support for Australian businesses; https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business

State & Territory information, grants & assistance; https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Coronavirus-state-and-territory-information-and-assistance

Latest news from Business.gov.au (April 6th):

  • The Government has announced the JobKeeper Payment. Affected employers will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, until 27 September 2020. Learn more about how the JobKeeper Payment can help employers and sole traders.

  • If your business is struggling to pay energy bills because of the impacts of coronavirus, there may be other options available. Learn more.

  • Evictions will be put on hold for 6 months by the states and territories. Landlords and renters are encouraged to talk about short term agreements. Learn more

  • There are new restrictions on social gatherings and non-essential services that may impact your business. Learn more.

Pm.gov.au

Find the latest Media updates from the Prime Minister of Australia here; https://www.pm.gov.au/media

Fairwork.gov.au

Head to Fair Work to find out about your  workplace entitlements and obligations if you're affected by the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak.

Health.gov.au

There is now a national emergency response policy document that takes precedence over any existing plans so you should review your business continuity plans against this: Australian Health Sector Emergency Response Plan For Novel Coronavirus (COVID-19)

Austrade

Austrade is open for business and their network of 1,100 staff is committed to helping you through this time. As part of ‘Team Australia’, Austrade is working closely with the network of government departments and industry agencies to help Australian businesses overcome complex and fast-evolving COVID-19–related challenges. This site provides updates on markets and logistics, and links through to the Government’s extensive business support programs; https://www.austrade.gov.au/news/news/novel-coronavirus


Image via www.health.gov.au

Image via www.health.gov.au

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BY STATE

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VICTORIA

For the latest advice and resources on the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak, see the Victorian Government Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) coronavirus page External link .

Business Victoria

Economic Survival and Jobs Package | As part of a $1.7 billion economic survival package, the Victorian Government has announced $500 million to establish a Business Support Fund to assist small to medium businesses most impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak; https://www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/economic-survival-and-jobs-package

Eligible businesses can apply for a one-off $10,000 grant which can be used towards costs such as utilities, rent and salaries, and activities to support business continuity planning; https://www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/business-support-fund

For advice and support for businesses, you can call their dedicated business hotline on 13 22 15.

And find further information here; https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/illness-and-business-management-plan/dealing-with-coronavirus

STATE REVENUE OFFICE VICTORIA

The Victorian Government has announced tax relief to support businesses through Victoria’s State of Emergency, as part of a broader economic survival package in response to COVID-19; https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

Global Victoria

Are keen to hear from export businesses impacted via a short survey, so they can tailor their response; https://global.vic.gov.au/impact-of-coronavirus-on-your-business

Creative Victoria

Creative Victoria is monitoring the rapidly changing situation with regard to COVID-19 in Victoria and its impacts on the creative industries and will continue to share information and updates as they come to hand. The following information is correct as of 30 March 2020; https://creative.vic.gov.au/news/2020/coronavirus-update

With unprecedented and wide-reaching challenges for Victoria’s creative and cultural sector, Creative Victoria have gathered the following information in response to pressing questions about the current situation; https://creative.vic.gov.au/resources/coronavirus-covid-19-creative-industries-q-and-as

City of Melbourne

Have the following page which has important links to the health services sites, information around what City of Melbourne are doing to stop the spread and also the recently launched City of Melbourne local economic stimulus package. Relevant for businesses or retailers who have premises in the City of Melbourne; https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/health-support-services/health-services/Pages/novel-coronavirus.aspx


Image via www.nsw.gov.au

Image via www.nsw.gov.au

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New south wales

The New South Wales Government has released the second stage of its economic package aimed at keeping people in jobs, helping businesses and supporting our most vulnerable in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. It includes billions in tax relief for business and $1 billion fund for jobs; https://preview.nsw.gov.au/news/billions-tax-relief-for-business-1-billion-fund-for-jobs-and-help-for-vulnerable (27th March)

Details on Financial Support; https://preview.nsw.gov.au/covid-19/financial-support

Information and advice for community and businesses in NSW; https://preview.nsw.gov.au/novel-coronavirus-covid-19

Government updates including media releases and press conferences; https://preview.nsw.gov.au/novel-coronavirus-covid-19/latest-updates

NSW Small Business commissioner

Have prepared a Q&A;  https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/get-help/covid-19-coronavirus-information-small-business-owners

SERVICE.NSW.GOV.AU

Small Business support, including a $10k Grant; https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/campaign/covid-19-help-small-businesses

REVENUE.NSW.GOV.AU

The NSW Government has announced payroll tax relief measures as part of its economic stimulus package to help businesses impacted by COVID-19 https://www.revenue.nsw.gov.au/taxes-duties-levies-royalties/payroll-tax

health.nsw.gov.au

https://www.health.nsw.gov.au/Infectious/alerts/Pages/coronavirus-faqs.aspx

fairtrading.nsw.gov.au

FAQs on consumer and business rights; https://www.fairtrading.nsw.gov.au/resource-library/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-faqs-consumer-and-business-rights

SAFEWORK.NSW.GOV.AU

Advice for NSW workplaces; https://www.safework.nsw.gov.au/news/safework-public-notice/coronavirus

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Western australia

The WA Government has announced a $1 billion economic and health relief package to support Western Australian businesses, households and community groups, and to boost the response by health and frontline services to the COVID-19 pandemic.

These relief measures include $502 million for small businesses including a reduction in electricity bills, licences fees waived, and additional payroll tax relief.

The package builds on the $25 million rent relief package for businesses operating on government-owned premises and $159 million Lotterywest funding package to assist community services impacted by COVID-19.

It also comes on top of the $607 million stimulus package announced earlier in March, and the Government continues to roll out the $760 million in economic stimulus measures announced in late 2019.

Find the latest here; https://www.wa.gov.au/organisation/department-of-the-premier-and-cabinet/coronavirus-covid-19-business-and-industry-advice

Payroll Tax Guide; https://www.wa.gov.au/government/multi-step-guides/payroll-tax-employer-guide/covid-19-relief-payroll-tax-employer-guide

WA DEPARTMENT OF FINANCE

Information on how to apply for a payroll tax deferral is available on the Department of Finance website.

Small Business Development Corporation

Has created a COVID-19 assistance centre to provide dedicated, timely guidance on available support options. To access the service, contact 133 140 (8.30am-4.30pm weekdays) or email info@smallbusiness.wa.gov.au and head to; https://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/coronavirus

The relief package; https://www.smallbusiness.wa.gov.au/blog/wa-coronavirus-relief-package

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South australia

Information is available on financial assistance, eligibility and timing for the Australian Government’s support for businesses; https://www.sa.gov.au/topics/business-and-trade/running-a-business/preparing-a-business-continuity-plan

business.sa.gov.au

Manage your business and cushion the impact of COVID-19, with a range of information resources and support services now available; https://business.sa.gov.au/COVID-19-business-information-and-support

TREASURY.SA.GOV.AU

https://www.treasury.sa.gov.au/Growing-South-Australia/stimulus-measures-to-support-businesses-and-the-community-impacted-by-covid-19

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Queensland

A suite of initiatives is available to support Queensland business and industry who are impacted by COVID-19 (coronavirus); https://www.qld.gov.au/about/industry-recovery/business-and-industry-support

BUSINESS QUEENSLAND

Small business support. Find support if your small business has been impacted by the international outbreak of novel coronavirus (COVID-19). Contact on 1300 654 687 to find out more and head to; https://www.business.qld.gov.au/starting-business/advice-support/support/novel-coronavirus

Complete a Business impact online survey to help Business Queensland understand the impact of novel coronavirus on your business and assess what support you need. Contact us on 1300 654 687 if you'd like to talk about small business support.

Business pandemic management guide - https://www.business.qld.gov.au/running-business/protecting-business/disaster-resilience/pandemic-risk-management

QUEENSLAND RURAL AND INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT AUTHORITY

https://www.qrida.qld.gov.au/current-programs/covid-19-business-support/queensland-covid19-jobs-support-scheme

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Northern TERRITORY

The government has a range of programs that support local businesses, including those impacted by coronavirus (COVID-19). Business advice from the NT Government; https://coronavirus.nt.gov.au/community-advice/business

https://www.business.gov.au/Grants-and-Programs/Tourism-Fast-Track-Support-Program-NT

NT DEPARTMENT OF TRADE, BUSINESS & INNOVATION

The Northern Territory Government is delivering a $120 million Jobs Rescue and Recovery plan to help keep Territorians in jobs. To find out more, go to; https://business.nt.gov.au/recovery

https://businessrecovery.nt.gov.au/businesses

The Department of Trade, Business and Innovation’s Small Business Champions team are on the ground to meet with businesses and provide support as required. Contact on 1800 193 111.

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TASmania

DEPARTMENT OF STATE GROWTH

Coronavirus information; https://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/coronavirus

Stimulus Package for Small Businesses | The Tasmanian Liberal Government has prepared a $420 million stimulus package to support Tasmania in tackling the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic; https://www.stategrowth.tas.gov.au/__data/assets/pdf_file/0003/226380/Stimulus_Packages-Small_business_-_COVID-19_Fact_Sheet.pdf

business.tas.gov.au

Access information about COVID-19 and services you need to help your business in Tasmania; https://www.business.tas.gov.au/

Contact via 1800 440 026, ask@business.tas.gov.au.

https://www.business.tas.gov.au/covid-19_business_support_packages

TREASURY.TAS.GOV.AU

https://www.treasury.tas.gov.au/liquor-and-gaming/important-information-regarding-the-governments-announcement-on-liquor-licence-fees

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ACT

ACT GOVERNMENT

https://www.covid19.act.gov.au/economic-support/economic-survival-package/supporting-local-businesses-and-the-economy


Copy of Copy of Copy of Curated _ 2018 Sydney.jpg

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MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

It’s normal to feel overwhelmed or stressed by news of the outbreak.

If you're struggling with your mental health and need immediate support, The Beyond Blue Support Service offers short term counselling and referrals by phone and webchat on 1300 22 4636. They also have a great fact sheet specific to the Coronavirus here >> 

You can also contact Lifeline and look over their guide here. You can contact them by Phone: 13 11 14 (24 hours/7 days) Text: 0477 13 11 14 (6pm – midnight AEDT, 7 nights), and online Chat: https://www.lifeline.org.au/crisis-chat (7pm - midnight, 7 nights).

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MORE UPDATES TO COME

If you have any additions, questions or areas you’d like us to delve into, OR if you are a service provider/consultant able to assist Australian businesses at this time, please email us at info@ausfashioncouncil.com


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