Restrictions have been placed on all non-essential activities and businesses by the State and Federal Governments. The restrictions will be reviewed regularly.

https://www.business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/restrictions-on-non-essential-services

https://www.health.gov.au/resources/collections/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-resources

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/business-sector-coronavirus-disease-covid-19

The Federal Government has announced its economic response to COVID-19.

This information will be regularly updated as information is available.

The support for business includes:

• Boosting cash flow for employers
• Increasing the Instant Asset Write-off
• Backing business investment
• Supporting apprentices and trainees
• Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses
• Supporting access to credit

https://www.business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business

The Federal Government has expanded eligibility for income support payments and added an extra payment for benefit recipients.

https://business.gov.au/Risk-management/Emergency-management/Coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business/Increased-and-accelerated-income-support

Australian Tax Office support is regularly updated.

https://www.ato.gov.au/Individuals/Dealing-with-disasters/In-detail/Specific-disasters/COVID-19

https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Business-bulletins-newsroom/General/Support-for-large-business-impacted-by-COVID-19/

Business Victoria HOTLINE 13 22 15

Coronavirus (COVID‑19) updates: For the latest updates and advice on the novel coronavirus in Victoria visit: https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/coronavirus

The Victorian Government has established an economic survival package to support Victorian businesses and workers through the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.  The $1.7 billion Economic Survival Package complements the work of the Federal Government.

More information about the administration of relief measures visit: https://www.sro.vic.gov.au/

Business Support Fund

The $500 million Business Support Fund will support the hardest hit sectors, including hospitality, tourism, accommodation, arts and entertainment, and retail.

The Government will work with the Victorian Chamber, Australian Hotels Association and Australian Industry Group to deliver the Fund, which will help these businesses – which may not be eligible for payroll tax refunds due to their size – survive and keep people in work.

Visit https://www.business.vic.gov.au/disputes-disasters-and-succession-planning/illness-and-business-management-plan/coronavirus-business-support

Working for Victoria Fund

Under the $500 million Working for Victoria Fund, displaced workers will be eligible to apply for different types of work. This presents opportunities for paid work and an opportunity to contribute to Victoria’s ability to manage this event and support the community.

Some displaced workers will have skills that can be readily transferred to new roles. The Government can also assist skills development or help people in obtaining immediate accreditation to commence work.

The Government will work across the public sector, local government, the not-for-profit sector and key private sector employers to facilitate job matching.

Visit https://www.vic.gov.au/workingforvictoria

Greater Shepparton City Council’s Economic Development Department is actively working towards supporting local business and industry during what is a very difficult time both socially and economically. We are distributing all the available information to businesses, collating the current impacts, challenges and circumstances that business are facing due to COVID-19 and advocating to ensure critical messages are being received by the government so additional and ongoing assistance can be provided to local businesses. Please contact (03) 5832 9846

Greater Shepparton City Council’s Grants Coordinator is available to assist businesses who are making application for Federal or Victorian Government funding support or wish to learn more about what is out there regarding government assistance. This can be a confusing time for businesses to navigate through the various funding options however Council wants to make this process as simple as possible for business and industry. Please contact (03) 5832 5218 or email anna.feldtmann@shepparton.vic.gov.au

Greater Shepparton City Council is acting decisively to support our community and businesses to lessen the burden of the significant economic consequences of COVID-19. Council has initiated a suite of measures through the introduction of the Greater Shepparton Economic Response to COVID-19 Package.

For more information in relation to the support package, click the following link:

http://greatershepparton.com.au/whats-happening/news/news-article/!/456/post/council-launches-covid-19-relief-package-for-community-and-business

http://greatershepparton.com.au/community/emergencies/pandemic

Advice for food businesses on Coronavirus disease

https://www2.health.vic.gov.au/public-health/food-safety/food-businesses/covid-19-and-food-business

Agriculture Victoria has developed a webpage with advice for animal owners and people operating in agricultural businesses, including those working with livestock. The agricultural supply chain is essential to maintaining the flow of food to our supermarkets and kitchen tables.

http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emergencies/coronavirus

http://agriculture.vic.gov.au/agriculture/emergencies/coronavirus/covid-19-advice-for-animal-owners

Webinars and online workshops are available to provide tools, and to assist businesses skills.

Internet connection required, most are free (some low cost).

To view available workshops offered by or partnered with Greater Shepparton City Council click on the following link.

Greater Shepparton Business Centre  - http://sheppartonbusiness.com.au/events

The Greater Shepparton Business Centre works in collaboration with Small Business Victoria, Australian Taxation Office and various other providers to deliver workshops and seminars on a regular basis.

ASBAS - https://www.melbourneinnovation.com.au/replacement-online-workshops

ASBAS Online Workshops are not limited to just ASBAS Digital Solutions Members. Eligible Small Businesses who currently are not a member (Eligibility: Must have an active Victorian ABN, must have 19 or less employees, must be a For-Profit business) can register to these Online Workshops for Free.

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry

Weekly webinar series providing an update on the state of affairs in the Victorian business community.

https://www.victorianchamber.com.au/training/events/bridor003

Australian Tax Office

Webinars provided by the ATO

https://www.ato.gov.au/Business/Starting-your-own-business/Small-business-webinars-and-workshops/Small-business-webinars/

We would like to gain an understanding of how COVID-19 is impacting your business.

Your input will be used to inform local action and advocacy for assistance from other levels of government.

Please contact (03) 5832 9846

For mental health support, for yourself or others if you are concerned, distressed or worried about being in isolation.

https://headtohealth.gov.au/

Lifeline 13 11 14  https://www.lifeline.org.au/

Beyond Blue  1300 224 636 https://www.beyondblue.org.au/the-facts/looking-after-your-mental-health-during-the-coronavirus-outbreak

Young people in the community (under 25) can contact:

Youth Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636

Eheadspace on 1800 650 890

https://www.dhhs.vic.gov.au/family-violence-support

To receive our regular email newsletters, which include updates about coronavirus and its impacts, please email lisa.kubeil@shepparton.vic.gov.au

The summary can be: As part of Greater Shepparton City Council’s Economic Response to COVID-19 Package - Stage 1 for local businesses, Council is offering grants for small to medium sized businesses to facilitate transitioning to online and e-commerce activities.

For more information on the grant visit:

http://greatershepparton.com.au/community/grants-and-funding/covid-19-quick-response-grant