The Salvation Army is delivering assistance through the Australian governments Drought Community Support Initiative (DCSI – Round 2). The second round of this assistance commenced on 19 November 2019. If you are a farmer, farm worker, farm supplier or farm contractor who is doing it tough due to the drought you may be eligible for a one off payment of up to $3,000.

To be eligible you need to be:
- Over the age of 18 years
- Be an Australian citizen or permanent resident
- Live and / or work in a specified Local Government Area (LGA – see attached)
- Have not already received this payment from The Salvation Army or St Vincent de Paul since 19 November 2019

You can apply for the drought assistance online at www.salvationarmy.org.au/drought (preferred method) or by calling the 24/7 Telephone Assistance Line on 1300 551 030. 

Click here to download the Eligible Local Government areas list...
Click here to download the full article...

Download the information brochure here...

Join extensionAUS and Agriculture Victoria for a series of webinars which will provide a unique opportunity for you to address on-farm connectivity issues and help you to understand available digital technology - how to measure it and how to make it work as best as possible for you and your business.

WEBINAR DATES AND TIMES

Webinar 1 – On-farm connectivity: Tuesday 21 July, 1.30 – 2.30 pm
Register or join at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89710895573

Webinar 2 - Getting the most out of video meeting software: Tuesday 28 July, 1.30 – 2.30 pm
Register or join at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86270444624

Webinar 3 - Internet of Things (IoT): Tuesday 4 August, 1.30 – 2.30 pm
Register or join at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/89327853496

Webinar 4 – Online networking to better communicate on-farm and service farm businesses
Tuesday 11 August, 1.30 – 2.30 pm
Register or join at: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/84433966881

Contact: If you need help registering please contact
Gavin Beever, Cumbre Consultants on 0438 234 886 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY AUDIT
An opportunity exists to participate in an on-farm digital technology audit conducted by phone by Agriculture Victoria, to understand the technology you already have available on-farm and how you can improve its efficiency. Participants will be asked to identify what type of internet connectivity they have, where they have access to WiFi and how they use technology on their farm.
REGISTRATION: To register for the audit please book a time at https://bit.ly/2VbBXBK

Contact: If you need help registering or would like more information please contact Andy Clark,
Agriculture Victoria, on 0436 804 656 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The Horticulture Showcase is a fantastic resource to help workers and growers find information about pay and entitlements. The Showcase can also be translated in over 30 different languages.

Visit the Horticulture Showcase website for more information...

Austrade – Export Market Development Grant (EMDG) Changes 

• EMDG has been increased to $50 million in total
• The export performance test for applications in 2019–20 grant year has been taken out
• Businesses incurring eligible EMDG expenses for promotional activities in 2019–20 will be able to seek reimbursement for 50% of these expenses without the Export Performance Test applying.

Applications can be made from 1^st July 2020 through myGovID instead of Auskey.
What is the Victorian Business Growth Fund?
Together with First State Super and the Victorian Government, the fund is targeted at Small and medium businesses who are ready to grow their business but can’t access the funds or find the right partner they need to take the next step.
All applications and expressions of interest will be assessed and decided by Roc Partners, a specialised private equity investment firm.   Roc Partners will invest in businesses on commercial terms and take either an equity or debt stake in businesses over providing a grant.
 What businesses are eligible?
Please see below the eligibility criteria for The Victorian Business Growth Fund :

• Can demonstrate a Strong business case for growth in a Victorian business, fund growth of a business expanding into Victoria, lead to meaningful job creation in Victoria or add meaningful capital investment in Victoria
• have annual revenue of between $5 million and $100 million
• have no more than $250 million in assets
• have positive cash flow, or cash flow is expected to be positive during the investment

How to apply:
Please contact Roc Partners through their website to express your interests.

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