JobKeeper payments extended
The Australian
Government has extended the period for which eligible employers can receive the
JobKeeper wage subsidy, with changes from 28 September 2020. Read
the media release.
Businesses that can demonstrate a 30 per cent or more drop in turnover may
be eligible for the following wage subsidies:
- From 28 September 2020: $1200 a fortnight for full-time workers and $750 for part-time workers (<20 hours per fortnight).
- From 4 January to 28 March 2021: $1000 a fortnight for full-time workers and $650 for part-time workers (<20 hours per fortnight).
For the latest information on the JobKeeper Payments and eligibility criteria, visit the Australian Treasury website.
Interstate travel update
The state government has postponed the date from which visitors from NSW and the ACT can arrive in South Australia without adhering to the two-week quarantine requirement.
Originally scheduled for 20 July, Premier Steven Marshall has announced the quarantine measure will remain in place for these states until the health risk lessens.
A hard border with Victoria means that the only people allowed to enter South Australia from this state are returning residents and essential travellers. Anyone travelling from Victoria, NSW and ACT, who is not an essential traveller must undertake a mandatory COVID-19 test within 24 hours of their arrival, and again on day 12 of the quarantine period.
Visitors from TAS, NT, WA and QLD can enter South Australia without a quarantine requirement. All travellers are required to complete a pre-approval application prior to arrival at our borders.
For more detailed information, view the Government of South Australia’s information on travel restrictions.
HomeBuilder application opens
The Commonwealth Government has opened applications to its HomeBuilder Grant, allowing eligible Australians to access $25,000 towards a new home build or significant renovation project.
The grant was established as a stimulus measure to safeguard Australia’s construction industry during COVID-19.
In South Australia, applications will be processed by the South Australian Revenue Office. Visit the RevenueSA website for more information.
COVID-19 bank loans extended
Australian Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has announced an extension
of the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme, allowing small and medium
sized businesses to access funding throughout the COVID-19 period.
The Government has partnered with 44 approved lenders to guarantee 50 per cent
of new unsecured loans to eligible SMEs.
The initial phase of the Scheme remains available for new loans issued by
eligible lenders until 30 September 2020. The second phase of the Scheme will
start on 1 October 2020 and will be available until 30 June 2021.
Key changes to the scheme include:
- extending the purpose of loans able to be provided beyond working capital, such that a wider range of investment can be funded
- permitting secured lending (excluding commercial or residential property)
- increasing the maximum loan size to $1 million (from $250,000) per borrower
- increasing the maximum loan term to five years (from three years)
- allowing lenders the discretion to offer a repayment holiday period.
The Scheme has already seen more than 15,600 businesses accept loans worth $1.5 billion. Learn more.
Incentive to attract major film production
The Australian Government has extended its Screen Location Incentive, investing an additional $400 million towards attracting large budget international screen productions to our shores.
This funding is in addition to the $140 million announced in May 2018, and will focus on extending the pipeline of production coming to Australia and creating new job and training opportunities.
The announcement was welcome news locally, with the South Australian Film Corporation recently publishing a set of guidelines to support safe filming throughout the COVID-19 pandemic period.
National skills investment
Prime Minister Scott Morrison has unveiled the nation’s latest COVID-19 economic recovery measure, JobTrainer, which aims to support 340,700 job seekers into new training places.
The measure is designed to upskill or reskill people who have lost their jobs as a result of the COVID-19 business downturn, and support school leavers who may struggle to gain a foothold in a heavily disrupted labour market.
JobTrainer funding also includes an extension of the 50 per cent wage subsidy for employers of an apprentice or trainee.
In addition to the existing support for small businesses, medium-sized businesses (with 199 or fewer employees) will now be eligible for the subsidy, for wages paid from 1 July 2020 – 31 March 2021.
SA Film Corp launch forward plan
The South Australian Film Corporation (SAFC) has launched its three-year strategic plan, outlining measures designed to support the recovery and growth of our screen industry in a post-COVID-19 environment.
The SAFC aims to enable entrepreneurship, grow capability, champion South Australia and deliver operational excellence; supporting the local pool of talented screen professionals and increasing inbound investment.
Read the full plan.
JamFactory invites creatives to join Associate Program
Applications have opened for JamFactory’s 2021 Associate Program. Creative professionals in the areas of ceramics, glass, furniture, jewellery or metalwork are encouraged to apply.
The program provides artists with opportunities for networking and peer learning in world class facilities, as well as the chance to develop the skills to accelerate their professional and entrepreneurial abilities.
Applications close 31 August.
| Upcoming Events COVID-19 Cash Chest Presented by Adelaide Business Hub Multiple dates beginning 21 July Mental health of the post COVID-19 worker Presented by Business SA Thursday 23 July, 10.30am Demonstrating the profit in your people Presented BDO Thursday 30 July, 10.30am (SA Time) Defence Industry 101 Presented by Defence Teaming Centre Thursday 30 July, 9.30am Will your business shrink or shine this year? Presented by Business SA Thursday 30 July, 6.30pm Scaling for Growth Presented by Business SA & UniSA Friday 21 August, 7.30am |
