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Safety above all else
It is crucial that you know how to keep all your workers as safe as possible.
Because they are ‘at the coal face’, your drivers must understand and follow stringent hygiene and sanitisation protocols to minimise the risk of infection. It is your responsibility to make sure they are properly informed and have the equipment to protect themselves and others.
This may sound drastic, but from a business protection perspective it may also be beneficial to implement work practices that quarantine drivers from the other workers in your company. As already mentioned, don’t be afraid to do things differently if it helps your business.
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BIC Employer Guide for COVID-19
The BIC has released an Employer Guide that we strongly recommend you read. Tailored to the bus and coach industry, it provides the usual useful information such as risk precautions, driver and workplace hygiene, and employer obligations.
It also touches on dealing with the psychological impact of COVID-19, and contingency strategies such as changing or scaling down operations.
Please download the guide, or find it on the BIC website.
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Australian Government stimulus package
The Australian Government has released a $17.6 billion stimulus package aimed at small to medium sized businesses. This section explains the package in straightforward terms, making it easy to work out your eligibility and how to benefit.
There is word that another round of ‘safety net’ spending will be signed off in the next day or so, aimed at households and at risk workers (casuals, low income earners, etc). We will keep you up-to-date with how it will work as information comes to hand.
Tax-free cashflow boost for employers
- Up to $25,000 in temporary cash flow support to small and medium businesses that employ staff.
- The payment will be tax free.
- If your business is eligible and you withhold tax to the ATO on employee salary and wages, you will receive a payment equal to 50 per cent of the amount withheld, up to $25,000.
- If your business is eligible and not required to withhold tax, you will receive a minimum payment of $2,000.
Eligibility: an aggregated annual turnover under $50 million and employer of staff (pays salary and wages).
How to get it: Once you lodge your eligible upcoming activity statements, the ATO will deliver the payment as a credit in your activity statement system, from 28 April 2020.
Fact Sheet: Cash flow assistance for businesses
Apprentice wage subsidy
- You can get a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of an apprentice or trainee’s wage over the 9 months (from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020).
- You will be reimbursed up to a maximum of $21,000 per eligible apprentice or trainee ($7,000 per quarter).
Eligibility: businesses with fewer than 20 full-time workers; also employers of any size that re-employ someone who loses their position as a result of the coronavirus downturn.
How to get it: You need to register for the subsidy from early-April 2020. Final claims for payment must be lodged by 31 December 2020. For information on how to apply and more information on eligibility, contact an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network (AASN) provider.
Fact Sheet: Cash flow assistance for businesses
Increased instant asset write-off (purchases up to $150,000)
- You can immediately deduct purchases of eligible assets each costing up to $150,000.
- Applies on a per asset basis, so you can immediately write-off multiple assets.
Eligibility: businesses with an annual turnover below $500 million.
How to get it: claim the immediate deduction before 30 June 2020, for new or second-hand assets first used or installed ready for use in this timeframe.
Fact Sheet: Delivering support for business investment
Accelerated depreciation deductions (e.g. for buses, plant and equipment)
- Goes for 15 months – to 30 June 2021.
- The asset must have been purchased after the announcement and first used or installed by 30 June 2021.
- On installation, claim a deduction of 50 per cent of the cost of the eligible asset.
- Existing depreciation rules will apply to the balance of the asset’s cost.
- Applies to new assets that can be depreciated under Division 40 of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1997 (i.e. plant, equipment and specified intangible assets, such as patents).
- Does not apply to second-hand Division 40 assets, or buildings and other capital works depreciable under Division 43.
Eligibility: businesses with an annual turnover below $500 million.
How to get it: claim the deduction before 30 June 2021 on eligible assets first used or installed ready for use in this timeframe.
Fact Sheet: Delivering support for business investment
Help from the ATO
Case-by-case administrative relief for certain tax obligations (similar to relief provided following the bushfires) for taxpayers affected by the Coronavirus outbreak.
Contact the ATO on 1800 806 218 or visit the ATO website at ato.gov.au.
Income support for workers
People who are unable to attend work because they have been diagnosed with the Coronavirus or who are in isolation may qualify for income support if they do not have any employer leave entitlements.
Fact Sheet: Stimulus payment to households to support growth
Government waives sickness allowance wait time
The government will waive the one-week wait period for the taxpayer-funded sickness allowance.
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South Australian Government initiatives
Stimulus package
The State Government has announced a $350 million stimulus package, although details on where this money will be spent is still to be finalised. We will share further information as it becomes available.
Parks 2025
The Parks 2025 plan will see $22 million injected into nature-based tourism.
This includes a Nature-Based Co-investment Fund of $5 million to help businesses to activate sustainable and ecological tourism experiences and products. It will open in April 2020.
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Other support and useful links
Financial
- Banks across Australia are providing different support services for businesses suffering financial hardship. Click here for more information and contact details.
Mental health
- Support for mental health and well-being is available from Lifeline (13 11 14) and Beyond Blue (1300 22 4636).
Workplace hygiene and best practice behaviour
Any impact on public transport systems
Links to useful public health or COVID-19 information
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