Locked
As a telehealth provider, Coviu experienced a sudden surge in customer demand during the pandemic. Their website saw a 10,000 per cent increase in views in two weeks and their 7 initial staff were answering up to 1000 support requests a day. Despite these challenges, Coviu managed to successfully scale up whilst meeting unprecedented customer […]
Official ABS figures released today show that the unemployment rate has fallen to 6.8 per cent in August, down from 7.5 per cent in July. This drop contrasts widespread predictions of rising unemployment. Despite stage 4 lockdowns in Melbourne and stage 3 lockdowns across regional Victoria, national employment increased by 111,000 people between July and […]
The NSW Government have announced that major sporting events at selected Sydney stadiums will be able to increase their capacity from October 1. Based on updated health advice, Stadium Australia and Bankwest Stadium will be able to host ticketed, seated-only events with crowds increasing from 25 to 50 per cent capacity. The SCG has also […]
Alfresco dining will become the norm this summer, with NSW government agencies banding together in a task force dedicated to activating the state’s outdoor hospitality spaces. This announcement comes off the back of the Victorian government’s announcement of a $290 million package for Melbourne restaurants to expand outdoors in a growing national trend to see […]
Qantas will start referring business frequent flyers to lending platform Valiant Finance. This partnership helps Qantas members access working capital, asset finance and commercial loans. It will be enabled by Qantas Business Rewards, the airline’s frequent flyer program for SMEs. Olivia Wirth, Qantas Loyalty CEO, hopes that this move will help support businesses throughout the […]
Research from payroll and HR software solutions provider, Ascender, shows that more than one in three (37 per cent) of Australians are willing to take a pay cut in order to work from home for the rest of 2020. What does the research say? The research involved 1000 Australians from all states in late June. […]
The NSW Government have committed $160 million as part of the federal JobTrainer program, to help people reskill for jobs in the health, manufacturing and construction sectors. In a statement released on Wednesday, Premier Gladys Berejiklian has said: “COVID-19 has presented an unprecedented challenge to our State, and Skilling for Recovery complements our current skills […]
A strong story behind a business’s inception can have a powerful effect on customers. Customers may identify with a founder’s back story or values, which can help grow the customer base. A compelling story can also help create a cohesive workplace culture, binding employees together with a shared vision. However when customers purchase a product, […]
The NSW Government have revealed plans for the $3 billion Jobs and Infrastructure Acceleration Fund to deliver more projects and create up to 20,000 more jobs. The fund, that was initially announced in May, will be put towards more than 30 new and fast-tracked health, education and transport and roads projects to be delivered across […]
Facebook’s Small Business Grants Programme is offering USD $100 million in cash grants and ad credits to small businesses. Up to 30,000 eligible small businesses in over 30 countries may receive a grant. Eligible businesses must: Be a for-profit company Have between 2 and 50 employees as of 1 January 2020 Have been in business […]
Video conferencing technology will continue to be used to witness legal documents such as wills, powers of attorney and statutory declarations. Witnessing via audio-visual link (AVL) can be done through technology such as Skype, WhatsApp, FaceTime and Zoom. The witness must watch a person signing the legal document in real time through AVL. They then […]
The Morrison government has announced they will back the construction of a gas-fired power station in plans to prevent an energy price spike for employers and households and help rebuild the Australian economy. “Gas is a critical enabler of Australia’s economy,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in a statement ahead of Tuesday’s speech. “Our competitive […]
The Victorian government have announced a $100 million support package for sole traders to recover from COVID-19, one day after revealing plans for $3 billion in cash grants and tax relief for SMEs. The announcement that grants of up to $3,000 will be offered to 30,000 individuals comes after Premier Daniel Andrews on Sunday promised […]
The Victorian Government’s plans to release a $3 billion support package to businesses has been met with apprehension from business owners. On Sunday evening, Premier Daniel Andrews’ announced that the program of support will help businesses preserve jobs and survive the current crisis. “It is an unprecedented set of challenges that business face,” Premier Andrews […]
The NSW Government has released a 24-Hour Economy Strategy to revamp Sydney’s nightlife, support local businesses and create more jobs in the wake of COVID-19. The strategy will be driven by a new Coordinator General tasked with unlocking the city’s cultural and economic potential by bringing stakeholders together from across industry and councils and looking […]
Rebranding can be difficult at the best of times. Companies fear losing recognition, customer retention and brand loyalty. With this in mind, rebranding during a global pandemic, when customers are far and few between? Seemingly impossible. That is what business entrepreneur Rebecca Klodinsky took on when she rebranded her swimwear company Frankii Swim to IIXIIST […]
To support businesses experiencing financial distress throughout COVID-19, the Australian Government introduced measures to relax insolvency and bankruptcy rules in March. These changes were set to draw to a close by 30 September, but have now been extended until 31 December 2020. Many commentators had predicted that the changes would need to be extended, especially […]
Early this week, the Tax Institute of Australia (TIA) called for guidance material on the JobKeeper scheme in relation to the R&D Tax Concession and transfer pricing. In an open letter from TIA president Peter Godber, the TIA made a submission to the ATO encouraging a more “considered approach … in relation to guidance being […]
Start Path – Mastercard’s global start up program – has bolstered 230 fintechs around the world and helped them raise $2 billion in capital. The program boasts an Australian alumni of Airwallex, Money Tree and identitii, and has recently partnered with its first Australian fintech mx51. We chatted with Kallan Hogan, Head of Fintech Australasia […]
Amidst the constantly changing news cycle and rule amendments, it can be hard for SMEs to keep track of their tax obligations. We interviewed Kirsten Fish, Chief Tax Counsel at the ATO (currently Deputy Commissioner Small Business), on the major tax issues facing SMEs during the pandemic and how best to navigate them. What are […]
