SEDA news and events
Australia's free trade agreement with Indonesia to provide export boost
The Indonesia-Australia Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (IA-CEPA) came into force on July 5. Two-way trade is already worth A$17.8 billion and Indonesia is expected to become the world’s fifth-largest economy by 2030, creating exciting opportunities for Australian businesses. Read more of this Media Release here...
EMDG: Applications for 2020 grant year are now open!
In response to COVID-19, the Government has made a number of updates to the Export Market Development Grants (EMDG) scheme, which include waiving the export performance test. In the 2019–20 grant year a total of 4,015 recipients received a combined total of $192.2 million. For more information and to apply, visit the Australian Trade and Investment Commission website....
Austrade invites you to complete a short survey to help improve digital services...
Ausatrade are creating new digital services to help more Australian businesses grow through exporting, diversify into new markets and manage their risk throughout the export journey. These services will give you access to Austrade insights and know-how anywhere, anytime. This survey, which will take around 2 minutes to complete, will help us design a better experience for exporters like you. Click here to to participate in this short survey...
Australian Trusted Trader program Survey
The Australian Border Force has contracted EY to undertake research into potential benefits for exporters that could be offered through the Australian Trusted Trader (ATT) program. The online survey is open to any business or individual with views on exporting - you don't need to be a Trusted Trader. Trusted Trader exporters currently receive priority processing with eight overseas customs authorities – but they want to know what else they could be doing to help you with your exporting process. Click here to participate in this 15min survey...
The ACCC has produced a new quad bike safety standard fact sheet to answer questions we've received in relation to the quad bike safety standard.
This is in response to concerns that some quad bike manufacturers have indicated they will cease supply of utility quad bikes to Australia once the quad bike safety standard becomes mandatory, and the effects this will have on future quad bike supply.
For more information about quad bike safety, visit the Product Safety Australia website.
Download the new Quad bike safety standard fact sheet here...
It was announced that last week, that the Australian Government committed an additional $241.9 million to continue the International Freight Assistance Mechanism (IFAM), helping keep international freight routes and flights operating until the end of the year.
Even though the IFAM is being extended, it’s important to remember it is a temporary, emergency measure in response to an extraordinary situation.
The extension will give Australian businesses more time to re-engineer their business models and adjust to a new and tougher trading environment created by COVID-19.
Qantas Freight remove change fees
From 07 July 2020, Qantas Freight will be providing greater flexibility with confirmed bookings. Qantas Freight is removing the fees for changes made to confirmed bookings within 48 hours of scheduled departure. Cancellation or no-shows will continue to attract fees, so please make sure any cancellations are made at least 48 hours before departure.
Register your interest
Exporters should submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) and keep in regular contact with freight forwarders to access IFAM supported flights. Further information on how IFAM works is available on the IFAM webpage.
Media Release
Minister for Agriculture, The Hon Jaclyn Symes
Victoria’s key fruit production regions will continue to be protected from the destructive impacts of Queensland fruit fly with an extension of funding from the Victorian Government.
Minister for Agriculture Jaclyn Symes today announced a further $1.72 million in grants in a one-year extension of the Managing Fruit Fly in Victoria Action Plan 2015-20, allowing regional groups to continue the successful implementation of their area wide management programs.
Moira Shire will receive $522,800, Agribusiness Yarra Valley $178,840 and Mildura Rural City Council $511,900 to implement regional action plans for 2020-21 on behalf of Regional Governance groups, while also receiving funding for regional coordinators.
COVID-19 and your OHS responsibilities- The Authority continues to warn labour hire providers and hosts that during this pandemic, it is more important than ever to ensure the occupational health and safety of their workers. Compliance with existing workplace laws including the Occupational Health and Safety Act 2004 is a requirement for a labour hire licence. Providers and hosts are encouraged to use the COVID-19 resources from the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS), WorkSafe Victoria and Safe Work Australia. To help businesses prevent infection in the workplace, plan for and respond to COVID-19 and support contact tracing with record keeping the DHHS has a prepared a range of resources.
Translated COVID-19 resources for workers- To help communicate vital health information to workers in other languages, employers can visit the DHHS website, download translated resources, distribute them digitally and display them at worksites. Where appropriate the resources can also be displayed in employer provided accommodation and on employer provided transportation.
Fair Work Commission: Changes to awards in 2020- The Fair Work Commission has been reviewing all modern awards and the new awards are taking effect throughout this year. To find out if your award has already been updated visit Fair Work Ombudsman (FWO). If your award hasn't been updated yet, sign up to FWO alert service to hear about changes to your specific awards.
Agriculture Workforce Plan: finding work and workers- As a part of the Victorian Government’s Working for Victoria fund, the $50 million Agriculture Workforce Plan has been set up to help agriculture, food processing and critical food supply chain business in rural, regional and outer metropolitan Victoria with:
- recruitment
- case management
- financial support for worker relocation and transport
- worker induction and retraining
- business adaptation.
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