Monthly reporting for JobKeeper Payments
If you’ve enrolled for the JobKeeper Payment and identified your eligible employees, you need to make a business monthly declaration to us. You will be able to do this from the 1st to the 14th day of each month, to receive reimbursements for the payments you have made to your employees in the previous month. Visit the ATO website for information about the business monthly declaration.

Get ready - second round of cash flow boosts
If you received initial cash flow boosts, you'll automatically receive additional cash flow boosts when you lodge your activity statements for each monthly or quarterly period from June to September 2020. Visit the ATO website for more information about second round cash flow boosts and details on lodgments...

Get ready for Tax Time
Your find tips that will help your business get ready for Tax time. Visit the ATO website for more information...

Claiming instant asset write-off in tax time 2020
For the $150,000 new threshold your asset must be ready for use by 30 June 2020. If you've purchased or are planning to purchase assets for your business, you may be eligible to claim an immediate deduction under the instant asset write-off expansion. From 12 March to 30 June 2020 (inclusive), the instant asset write-off threshold for each asset increased to $150,000 (from $30,000). Visit the ATO website for more information...

Visit the newsroom online at any time to check out the latest news, previous articles or download reminders to your calendar.

The Fair Work Commission has announced a 1.75% increase to the National Minimum Wage (NMW) following its 2020 Annual Wage Review. The increase applies to awards in 3 stages, which start from the first full pay period on or after:

• 1 July 2020
• 1 November 2020 – (commencement date for Horticulture Award)
• 1 February 2021

AUSVEG have engaged legal advice to provide a guide which details what Unions can and cannot do on Farms. Please see the attached PDF for more information...

At this time there are a number of options for Growers seeking seasonal labour. The Australian Government is supporting access to labour through:

The National Farmers’ Federation (NFF) has compiled a one pager that contains information about the recent Full Federal Court decision in the matter of WorkPac v Rossato. The decision confirms that employees who were notionally engaged as casuals but can demonstrate that they were working fixed, regular shifts are considered to be permanent employees in the eyes of the law. The practical effect is that those employees can retroactively claim leave and other entitlements of permanent employees despite having received a casual loading. Visit the NFF website here...

Download the PDF Brochure for more information...

HIA Trade Hub

• International Trade insights and updates during COVID-19. With COVID-19 creating disruption on a global scale, the virus has and will continue to have an impact on international trade. During this time, Hort Innovation’s international trade team is continuing to gather information and insights - using them to adjust international marketing and engagement activities, and also bringing them together in this international trade hub for all industry participants. Visit the HIA website for more information...

Food Innovation Australia

• Market Diversification Virtual Workshop- Combining a three-part webinar with a one-on-one consultation, this interactive online event will equip you with the knowledge and tools you need to diversify and grow your business in the post-COVID-19 landscape.  Market Diversification Virtual Workshop.                                                                                                                                                                                                  When: Tuesday 16 June–03 July, 11:00 am - 13:00 pm
  For more information or to register for this event, please visit the FIAL website...

• Food Safety Governance For Directors- The safety of our food supply is critical to the health of all Australians and to the viability of businesses dealing with food. The workshop, run via Zoom, is designed to provide a governance overview for Directors, Executives and senior management of food manufacturing and supply businesses based in Australia to support the production and sale of safe food both domestically and overseas.  When: Thursday 18 June 13:00 pm - 16:00 pm.                                                                                                                                                     For more information or to register for this event, please visit the FIAL website...

Australian Trade and Investment Commission

• FTA Digital Seminar Series - Navigating the Export Journey- This webcast will focus on getting exporters started, including things to consider and where to go for help. Not sure which markets might suit your product or service? Take the journey to hear about the tools, tips and touch points to help your business.                                                                                                                                                                                          When: 10 Jun 2020 AEST, 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM.                                                                                                                                                   Visit the Australian Trade and Investment Commission website for more information or to register for this event...

Upskill My Business

• Connects you to short courses, online events and resources from the state’s top education providers and industry experts. Visit the Business Victoria website for further information...

Agriculture Victoria

• Building farm resilience for challenging times Webinars- Helps identify how to safeguard your core business operations when unexpected situations occur. Complementing the recently expanded On-Farm Drought Resilience Grant allowing farmers to apply for up to $5000 for business planning and up to $5000 for infrastructure investment:

                       -Farm Business Resilience Webinar 2: Your Financials- Register here
                        Jane Foster, Agribusiness Consultant, ORM,  will provide tips on how to work with the ‘new norms’ around accessing and extending                           bank finance and discuss the use of  other financial buffers.                                                                                                                                             When: Thursday, June 18, 2020, 01:30 PM Australia/Melbourne

                      -Farm Business Resilience Webinar 3: Your Resources- Register here
                        Participants will be shown how to identify critical work flows, exposures and vulnerabilities, set priorities and access potential impacts                         using a risk matrix.                                                                                                                                                                                                            When: Thursday, July 2, 2020, 01:30 PM Australia/Melbourne

                      -Farm Business Resilience Webinar 4: Your Plan - Register here
                        An expert panel from across agriculture will discuss how farmers have  successfully built business resilience over the last decade,                             where are the main gaps, and how  can farms build resilience into the future.                                                                                                                 When: Thursday, July 16, 2020, 01:30 PM Australia/Melbourne