• COVID-19 (Coronavirus)

    Resources and Updates

At Synectic, our aim is to do everything we can to support our clients to navigate through the COVID-19 pandemic. We understand that the financial crisis is as real as the health crisis for many people. Thankfully, both state and federal governments have provided unprecedented support, with a raft of stimulus, grants and tax relief available.

To assist you to navigate through these measures we have collated the key information and resources below.

Get in touch so we can help identify the support available to you. We’re here to help!

Contact Us

Key Resources

Expand the topics below to find the COVID-19 support information you need.

JobKeeper extension

25.09.2020

The JobKeeper scheme has been extended from 28 September 2020 until 28 March 2021. There are two separate extension periods:

  • Extension 1: from 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021
  • Extension 2: from 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021

For each extension period, an additional actual decline in turnover test applies and the rate of the JobKeeper payment is different.

Changes to rates of payment

JobKeeper payment rates will depend on the number of hours:

  • an eligible employee works, or
  • an eligible business participant is actively engaged in the business.

The rate will be split into two tiers for each extension period:

JobKeeper extension 1 & 2 payment tiers

Employers and businesses will need to nominate the rate they are claiming for each eligible employee and/or eligible business participant.

Alternative tests for determining the payment rates that apply to an eligible employee, eligible business participant or eligible religious practitioner may be available in some circumstances. We will provide further advice when the ATO publishes further guidance.

Eligibility

To be eligible for the Job keeper extension periods, businesses will need to re-test their turnover for both extension periods.

Unlike when you calculated the original decline in turnover test, you do not use your projected GST turnover for the relevant quarter being tested. You use your current GST turnover.

To work out which supplies you have made in the turnover test period, you must use the accounting basis you used for GST reporting purposes. Depending on your circumstances, you could use a cash basis or a non-cash basis.

A GST accounting basis will apply to allocate supplies to a test period regardless of whether:

  • the supply was a taxable supply, or
  • you report GST on a monthly or quarterly basis.

For many businesses registered for GST, this calculation will match the ‘total sales’ reported at G1 on your BAS minus GST payable (1A), where applicable.
If you are not registered for GST, you will work out your turnover using either the GST cash or non-cash basis of accounting.

You can provide additional turnover information to demonstrate that you satisfy the actual decline in turnover test for the September quarter from the start of October onwards. You must provide it before you complete your November monthly declaration.

Alternative tests for determining actual decline in turnover may be available in some circumstances. These will apply in a similar way to the alternative tests for the original decline in turnover test. However, they must be applied on the basis that the turnover test period is a quarter. We will provide more information on the alternative tests for the actual decline in turnover test once it is available.

JobKeeper extension eligibility

You also need to have satisfied the original decline in turnover test. However, if you:

  • were entitled to receive JobKeeper for fortnights before 28 September, you have already satisfied the original decline in turnover test
  • are enrolling in JobKeeper for the first time from 28 September 2020, if you satisfy the actual decline in turnover test, you will also satisfy the original decline in turnover test (except for certain universities). You can enrol on that basis.

Key dates and actions for employers!

From 28 September 2020:

  • JobKeeper extension 1 starts on 28 September, and the payment rates will change for your eligible employees.
  • Work out if the tier 1 or tier 2 rate applies to each of your eligible employees.
  • Notify the ATO and your eligible employees which payment rate applies to them.

Between 1 and 14 October 2020:

  • Complete the October JobKeeper monthly business declaration so you can be reimbursed for September fortnights.

Between 1 and 31 October 2020:

  • Check and submit to the ATO, the business actual decline in turnover to be eligible for JobKeeper extension 1.

31 October 2020:

  • For the JobKeeper fortnights from 28 September 2020 and 12 October 2020 only, the ATO are allowing employers until 31 October 2020 to meet the wage condition.

Between 1 and 14 November:

  • Complete a monthly business declaration and advise the ATO of the payment tier being claimed for each eligible employee.

From 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021 (JobKeeper extension 1):

  • Ensure your eligible employees are paid at least:
    • $1,200 per fortnight for tier 1 employees
    • $750 per fortnight for tier 2 employees

From 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021 (JobKeeper extension 2):

  • Ensure your eligible employees are paid at least:
    • $1,000 per fortnight for tier 1 employees
    • $650 per fortnight for tier 2 employees

What’s staying the same

To claim for fortnights in the JobKeeper extension 1 or 2:

  • You don’t need to re-enrol for the JobKeeper extension if you are already enrolled – but note you do need to confirm eligibility.
  • You don’t need to reassess employee eligibility, or ask employees to agree to be nominated by you as their eligible employer, if you are already claiming for them before 28 September.
  • You don’t need to meet any further requirements if you are claiming for an eligible business participant, other than those that applied from the start of JobKeeper.

Important Updates to Job Keeper 1.0 & 2.0

18.08.2020

Announcements made on Friday 14th August mean we now need to revisit JobKeeper 1.0 to ensure your business stays eligible and to maximise your JobKeeper entitlements. The government has also announced a relaxation of the eligibility criteria for JobKeeper 2.0.

New 1 July 2020 eligibility date

The date for assessing eligible employees has changed (effective from 3 August 2020) from 1 March 2020 to 1 July 2020. This means you may now have more eligible employees who you can receive JobKeeper payments for.

This change will particularly affect the following groups of employees:

  • Any new employees as at 1 July 2020 who were not employed as at 1 March 2020 (full-time, part-time or fixed-term employees).
  • Any long-term casual employees who meet the 12-month test between 1 March 2020 and 1 July 2020 (employees still also need to be employed on a regular and systematic basis and not a permanent employee of any other employer).
  • Any employees who turned 18 years of age between 1 March 2020 and 1 July 2020 (if employees were 16 or 17 they can still qualify if considered ‘independent’ or not undertaking full time study).
  • Any employees who, between 1 March 2020 and 1 July 2020, became an Australian resident under the Social Security Act definition.
  • Any employees who, between 1 March 2020 and 1 July 2020, became an Australian resident for income tax purposes and who also hold a Subclass 444 (Special Category) visa.

One in, all in rule

If you have any employees who meet the new eligibility requirements as at 1 July 2020, you MUST now add them to your JobKeeper declarations to remain eligible for any JobKeeper payments.

Under the one-in, all-in rule you must provide JobKeeper to all employees that meet the requirements and have provided the necessary nomination forms.

Turnover test

Please note that the above changes DO NOT require you to retest the required drop in turnover.  If you currently qualify for JobKeeper, you will continue to qualify until 28 September with this round of changes, you just need to update to include any newly eligible employees.

3-fortnight period

Remember August is a 3-fortnight period for JobKeeper purposes and not a typical 2-fortnight period. This means you need to have paid your employees at least $4,500 rather than the usual $3,000.

New nomination forms

If you have any newly eligible employees (as detailed above), you need to get them to complete a nomination form as soon as possible to acknowledge JobKeeper is being claimed by the employer and that they are not claiming JobKeeper from any other employer.

> Access the new nomination form here

Actions required!

Any businesses currently eligible for JobKeeper (or which may have become eligible after 3 August 2020) must now do the following:

  • Review whether you have any newly eligible employees
  • Provide all newly eligible employees with the new nomination formand have them complete and return the form to you
  • Check you have paid the minimum amount to all employees, including the newly eligible employees, and make top-up payments where necessary by 31 August 2020 (this could be as much as $4,500 for the month)
  • Include newly eligible employees within your monthly declaration for August fortnights (which are due 14 September 2020)

Changes to JobKeeper 2.0 eligibility

As flagged in our previous newsletter (6 August, COVID-19 Important Updates), the Treasurer has announced an easing of JobKeeper 2.0 eligibility, whereby businesses will only need to show that their GST turnover had fallen in the September quarter to qualify for the scheme’s first extension. The original announcement required that the business turnover had fallen in both the June and September quarters.

  • Based on the revised announcement, in order to be eligible for the first JobKeeper Payment extension period of 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021, businesses will need to demonstrate that their actual GST turnover has fallen in the September quarter relative to a comparable period (generally the corresponding quarter in 2019).
  • To be eligible for the second JobKeeper Payment extension period of 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021, businesses will need to demonstrate that their actual GST turnover has fallen in the December quarter 2020 relative to a comparable period (generally the corresponding quarters in 2019).
  • Under the new rules, businesses have easier access to the extension, but the payment rate will drop as planned from $1,500 to $1,200. The $750 flat rate for employees working less than 20 hours per week will also proceed as previously announced.
  • In addition, from 3 August 2020, the relevant date of employment will move from 1 March to 1 July 2020, increasing employee eligibility for the existing scheme and the extension.

> Get more information about JobKeeper changes from 14 August 2020

JobKeeper 2.0

05.08.2020

Job Keeper 2.0 has been released, but developments in Victoria over recent days may result in further changes being made.

Currently announced details of JobKeeper 2.0 mean that payments will be extended beyond 27 September 2020, but at reduced rates. There will also be tighter eligibility requirements for businesses and not-for-profits to receive the subsidy.

  • JobKeeper will be extended until 28 March 2021
  • Allowances for full-time workers will fall from $1,500 per fortnight, to:
    • $1,200 per fortnight from 28 September 2020
    • $1,000 per fortnight from 4 January 2021
  • Allowances for part-time workers (< 20 hours per week) will fall from $1,500 per fortnight, to:
    • $750 per fortnight from 20 September 2020
    • $650 per fortnight from 4 January 2021
  • To re-qualify for JobKeeper subsidies, businesses and not-for-profits will need to re-test their GST turnover prior to lodgement of their September and December quarter Business Activity Statements (BAS)

What does it mean for employers and employees?

From 28 September 2020, businesses and not-for-profits seeking to claim the JobKeeper Payment will need to demonstrate that they have suffered an ongoing significant decline in turnover (based on the June, September and December 2020 quarters) using actual GST turnover (rather than projected GST turnover). The table below provides an overview of the changes for each remaining quarter of the JobKeeper subsidy:

> JobKeeper Payment for employers and employees, including eligibility and how to enrol.

What does it mean for sole traders and other entities?

  • Sole traders and some other entities (such as partnerships, trusts or companies) may be entitled to the JobKeeper Payment scheme under the business participation entitlement.

> JobKeeper Payment for sole traders and other entities, including eligibility and how to enrol.

* Note: Refer to the Updates tab above to keep up to date with relevant changes to the JobKeeper scheme, including eligibility, payment rates and important actions to take.

JobKeeper Payment for employers and sole traders

  • This assistance will go to companies, including not-for-profits, which experience, or will experience, either:
    • 30% fall in turnover (for an aggregated turnover of $1 billion or less);
    • 50% fall in turnover (for an aggregated turnover of more than $1 billion); or
    • 15% fall in turnover (for ACNC-registered charities other than universities and schools).
  • The ‘decline in turnover’ test needs to be satisfied for one test period, with a test period being either any month from March to October, or a quarter commencing 1 April or 1 July.
  • Once you qualify based on a decline in one month or quarter, you remain eligible and do not need to keep testing turnover in following months.
  • Turnover can be calculated based on actual or projected turnover and how you choose to calculate your fall in turnover is not dependent on whether you report a quarterly or monthly BAS.
  • The employer must have employed eligible employees by 1 March 2020 and confirm that each eligible employee is still employed.
  • Employees who were stood down or made redundant will need to be reinstated by their employers to qualify for the payment.
  • The subsidy will be available from 30 March to 27 September, with first payments to be paid in early May.
  • The Apprentice 50% wage subsidy is available from 1 January to 31 March 2020, but businesses will not be eligible from 1 April 2020 if receiving the JobKeeper Payment.

> Employers – find out more

Sole traders and self-employed people

Sole traders and self-employed people operating through a trust, company or partnership:

  • Can qualify, but only for one eligible business participant (EBP), e.g. one partner, one trust beneficiary or one director.
  • Can claim JobKeeper for other eligible employees in addition to the EBP
  • The entity will receive the payment, not the individual.

> Sole traders – find out more

> Partnerships, trusts and companies – find out more

JobKeeper Payment for employees

  • Eligible people will be full-time, part-time, sole-traders and casual employees who have been with their employers for longer than 12 months and are at least 16 years of age.
  • New Zealand employees on the 444 visa will be eligible.
  • Temporary visa holders will be ineligible.
  • Employees that have applied for the JobSeeker Payment will need to notify their employers as an employee will only benefit from either, but not both, of the wage subsidy schemes.

> Employees – find out more

Turnover test

The ATO has released FAQ’s which specifically address a number of questions that businesses may have regarding turnover tests, including:

  • What if my decline in turnover is not caused by COVID-19?
  • What happens if my actual fall in turnover is not as low as I predicted and ends up being less than the 30% or 50%?

> Employers frequently asked questions – turnover

Alternative tests

The ATO have released alternative tests that may be used to calculate a fall in turnover for certain businesses where there is not an appropriate comparison period under the basic year-on-year test.

There are seven circumstances identified where the alternative test may apply, including new businesses that have recently started, businesses involved in acquisitions or restructures, businesses with significant growth or lumpy income, and those adversely impacted by natural disasters. Sole traders or partnerships impacted by an absence from work due to sickness or other reasons in the comparison period may also qualify.

It is clear these tests will broaden the eligibility to include many businesses which would not have otherwise qualified. However, the alternative tests are not simple so we recommend all clients who believe they may be eligible under the alternative tests to contact their Synectic manager to discuss further.

Eligibility

If you are in doubt regarding eligibility, please contact us to discuss your specific circumstances.

> Details on eligibility criteria

How to apply

Employers can enrol and apply for the JobKeeper Payment via the Australian Taxation Office (ATO) from 20 April 2020. There a number of steps involved and you should take care to ensure all steps are closely followed.

> Enrolment for JobKeeper Payment

Importantly, we wish to highlight a few elements that we feel require extra emphasis.

Communicating with your employees and ensuring they complete their obligations will be critical to ensure you are ready for the first payment. All eligible employees will need to complete the JobKeeper employee nomination notice and return it to you before you claim JobKeeper Payment.

The ATO process has 3 actions that every eligible employer must take:

  • Enrol with the ATO via the Business Portal and authenticate with mvGovID;
  • Apply with the ATO and confirm the number of eligible employees via the ATO Business Portal (by the end of the month that you are claiming for);
  • Make a business monthly declaration.

JobKeeper Payment FAQs

> Frequently asked questions

> JobKeeper guides

We recommend clients review this material and contact us to clarify how, or if, your business may benefit from this measure.

Boosting cash flow for employers

Through the Australian Taxation Office (ATO), the Government will provide tax-free temporary cash flow boosts of between $20,000 and $100,000 to eligible small and medium businesses and not-for-profit organisations that employ staff. This will be delivered through credits in the activity statement system, when eligible businesses lodge their activity statements.

> Eligibility, timing and how to apply

Assistance to help pay the wages of apprentices or trainees

If you employ an apprentice or trainee you may be eligible for a wage subsidy of 50% of their wage, paid from 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020.

> Eligibility, timing and how to apply

The increased instant asset write-off

The instant asset write-off threshold has been increased from $30,000 to $150,000 and access expanded to include businesses with an aggregated annual turnover of less than $500 million (up from $50 million). This applies from 12 March 2020 until 31 December 2020, for new or second‑hand assets first used or installed ready for use in this time frame.

> Eligibility, timing and how to apply

Backing Business Investment (BBI) – Accelerated depreciation for investment

A time limited, 15-month investment incentive to support business investment and economic growth over the short term, by accelerating depreciation deductions. This applies to eligible assets acquired from 12 March 2020 and first used or installed by 30 June 2021.

> Eligibility, timing and how to apply

Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses

A temporary increase to the threshold at which creditors can issue a statutory demand on a company and the time companies have to respond to statutory demands they receive. This includes temporary relief for directors from any personal liability for trading while insolvent, and providing temporary flexibility in the Corporations Act 2001 to provide temporary and targeted relief from provisions of the Act.

> Relief elements and how to apply

Government-backed loans

A small-to-medium enterprise (SME) business loan guarantee scheme:

  • The government will provide a guarantee of 50% to eligible lenders of unsecured loans to be used for working capital.
  • Maximum loan facility of $250,000 per borrower.
  • Term of up to three years, with initial six-month repayment holiday.
  • For businesses with turnover up to $50 million (interestingly, not specified as group-wide turnover).
  • Subject to lenders’ credit assessment processes, with the expectation of looking through this short-term difficult period.
  • The scheme is to support $40 billion of lending (ie, $20 billion guaranteed).

From 1 October 2020, eligible lenders will be able to offer loans on the same terms as the current Scheme with the following enhancements:

  • Loans can be used for a broader range of business purposes, including to support investment in a period of economic recovery.
  • The maximum loan size will be increased to $1 million per borrower.
  • Loans can be up to 5 years rather than 3 years and whether there will be a six month repayment holiday will be at the discretion of the lender.
  • A loan can be either unsecured or secured (excluding commercial or residential property).

> Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme

ATO support and tax payment deferrals

A series of payment deferral concessions for businesses directly impacted by COVD-19:

  • Deferring, by up to 4 months, the payment date of amounts due through the business activity statement (including Pay As You Go (PAYG) instalments), income tax assessments, fringe benefits tax assessments and excise duty.
  • Allowing businesses on a quarterly reporting cycle to opt into monthly GST reporting in order to get faster access to GST refunds they may be entitled to.
  • Allowing businesses to vary PAYG instalment amounts to zero for the March 2020 quarter. These businesses can also claim a refund for any instalments made for the September 2019 and December 2019 quarters.
  • Remitting any interest and penalties, incurred on or after 23 January 2020, that have been applied to tax liabilities.
  • Allowing affected businesses to enter into low-interest payment plans for their existing and ongoing tax liabilities.

> Lodgment or payment, change your GST reporting cycle, vary your PAYG instalments

Relief for tenants

The Government has announced a range of measures to help renters and commercial tenants, including:

  • a temporary hold on evictions for commercial and residential tenants in financial distress, and
  • a mandatory Code of Conduct for commercial tenancies to support small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) and not-for-profit (NFP) organisations affected by coronavirus.

The Code outlines a set of good-faith leasing principles for commercial tenancies, including retail, office and industrial. It applies to tenants that are:

  • a small to medium sized business with an annual turnover of up to $50 million
  • eligible for the JobKeeper Payment

The principles include that:

  • landlords must not terminate leases for non-payment of rent during the COVID-19 pandemic (or reasonable recovery period)
  • tenants must stay committed to their lease terms (subject to amendments)
  • landlords must offer reductions in rent (as waivers or deferrals) based on the tenant’s reduction in trade during COVID-19
  • benefits that owners get for their properties (e.g. reduced charges, land tax, deferred loan payments) should be passed on to the tenant (in the appropriate proportion)

> Learn about the code and leasing principals

> Read the National Cabinet Mandatory Code of Conduct – SME Commercial Leasing Principals during COVID-19

Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries

An initial $1 billion support fund to provide assistance to industries and regions severely affected by the economic impacts of COVID-19.

> Eligibility, timing and more information

International Freight Assistance Mechanism

$110 million will help exporters get their high-quality produce into key overseas markets. Return flights will bring back items critical to the ongoing health response. This includes vital medical supplies, medicines and equipment.

> Eligible produce, destination countries and how to express your interest

COVID-19 Business Impact Support Program

The new COVID-19 Business Impact Support Program offers grants of $1,000 – $5,000 to eligible businesses impacted by COVID-19 to help with recovery.

You may be eligible if your business been impacted by COVID-19 due to:

  • critical staff being required to isolate or quarantine,
  • being forced to close due to a Public Health Direction, or
  • having suffered a significant reduction in demand

that has resulted in a reduction in turnover due to COVID-19 of 30% or more between 15 December 2021 and 14 January 2022 inclusive, compared to the same period in the previous year (15 December 2020 – 14 January 2021).

The program opened 19 January, and is only open until 2 pm, 9 February 2022.

> More details

Payroll Tax concessions

A Payroll Tax waiver will be available to businesses in the hospitality, tourism and seafood industries, and will apply for the last four months of the 2019-20 financial year. Other businesses with payrolls of up to $5 million will also be able to apply for a waiver, but eligibility will be based on how significantly the virus has affected business.

> Fact sheet

Business vehicle registration relief

To support significantly impacted Tasmanian small businesses, business vehicle registration savings and deferrals are available.

> More information and frequently asked questions

Tasmania Land Tax relief

Land Tax will be waived for commercial property in Tasmania for the 2020-21 financial year, where the business owner:

  • is liable for the land tax; and
  • can demonstrate that their business operations have been affected by COVID-19.

‘Commercial property’ refers to property classified as such for government valuation purposes.

> Fact sheet

Closed:

  • Fisheries assistance An additional $1.8 million is being made available for fisheries fees and licence relief initiatives.
  • Cultural and Creative Industries stimulus package New funding of $1.5 million and new operational measures of over $2 million to support Tasmania’s cultural sector.
  • Small Business Emergency Support Grant: $2,500 one-off emergency support payment to assist affected small businesses in the identified severely-impacted industries (closed 4 May 2020).
  • Small Business Hardship Grant: Grants of $15 000 for small businesses in the identified severely-impacted industries (closed 4 May 2020).
  • Business Continuity Grant: One-off grants of up to $750 to support businesses to engage the services of a suitably qualified person, including your accountant, to advise on how to survive the economic impact of COVID-19 crisis (closed 4 May 2020).
  • Business Support Loan Scheme: Loans from $20,000 up to $250,000 to assist eligible businesses for the purpose of supporting business continuity, viability and sustainability during COVID-19 (closed 30 June 2020).
  • Small Business Sustainability and Recovery Grant:  $5,000 grants to assist small businesses in Tasmania who continue to be impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, to sustain themselves, recover, re-open, build capacity and innovate (closed 24 August 2020).

Coronavirus assistance for your utilities bills

As the pandemic continues to evolve, many Australians will find themselves facing financial difficulties now or in the weeks to come. Your utility bills are one of those things that may cause you more financial stress during this frantic period.

Most utility providers have some sort of financial hardship program in place in order to make this financial burden more manageable for you, with some having come out with more specific responses in relation to COVID-19.

> Aurora

> TasWater

> Telstra

> Optus

Fair Work Ombudsman

Information regarding workplace entitlements and obligations if you are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, including:

  • flexible work and alternative work arrangements
  • paid and unpaid leave
  • standing down employees
  • ending employment
  • business bankruptcy
  • health and safety during coronavirus

> Learn about COVID-19 and Australian workplace laws

Safe Work Australia

Information on COVID-19 and work health and safety, including

  • preparing workplaces and workers
  • minimising risks
  • working from home
  • mental health
  • workers’ compensation

> Learn about COVID-19 and work health and safety

Superannuation Guarantee Obligations

The law does not allow the ATO to extend the due date to pay the super guarantee contributions for your employees.

  • You will need to lodge a Superannuation guarantee charge (SGC) statement and pay the charge.
  • If required, you may be able to discuss entering into a payment plan.

> Missed and late payments

Free workplace relations advice

The Tasmanian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (TCCI) will provide free advice to support businesses affected by COVID-19 to manage their obligations in relation to industrial relations issues as part of the Tasmanian Government’s Stimulus Package. Issues may include:

  • workplace health and safety
  • employment obligations
  • workers compensation
  • changing workforce requirements

Call the TCCI Business Hotline 1300 559 112 for more information

Australian banks have been providing assistance in various ways, including the deferral of loan repayments for 98% of all businesses affected by COVID-19 for six months.

As customers approach the end of the deferral period, banks are now implementing phase two of their COVID-19 support.

Types of assistance will depend on individual circumstances, but may include:

  • deferral of scheduled loan repayments,
  • waiving fees and charges,
  • debt consolidation to help make repayments more manageable.

If you have not been contacted by your bank already, we encourage you to reach out to see what support may be available to you.

> Read FAQs and check your bank’s relief offering

Early release of superannuation

Eligible people can withdraw up to $20,000 from their superannuation on compassionate grounds over the 2020 and 2021 financial years. A maximum of $10,000 in each of the 2020 and 2021 financial years is allowed under the rules. The payment from a superannuation fund is tax free.

People are eligible to make the withdrawals if:

  • they are unemployed,
  • they are eligible to receive any of the payments which make them eligible to receive the Coronavirus Supplement,
  • on or after 1 January 2020 they were made redundant, or their working hours were reduced by 20% or more, or they were a sole trader and their business was suspended or turnover reduced by 20% or more.

Applications for these withdrawals can be made between 1 July 2020 and 24 September 2020. However, the government has announced they will extend the application period to 31 December 2020.

Applications for the 2019–20 financial year closed on 30 June 2020.

> About early access to super

There will be a different process for people with a self-managed superannuation fund. As at 7 April 2020 we await further guidance to be published by the Australian Taxation Office.

Reduction of minimum drawdown requirements

The minimum drawdown requirements for superannuation have been reduced by 50% for the 2020 and 2021 financial years. This has been done in recognition that it may be significantly detrimental to investment balances during this time if investments have to be sold to meet the normal minimum drawdown requirements.

> About the measure

Market review and economic outlook

Markets in review, impact on sectors, outlook and portfolios

> Quarterly update March 2020 | released 16 April 2020

> Monthly update April 2020 | released 1 April 2020

Investor resources

  • Inflation outlook and your portfolio in 2022
    It pays to take a consistent, disciplined approach in the face of uncertainty, and there are a few simple questions that can help us make progress. > Read more

  • Coronavirus – plenty of misses but a few hits
    The list of businesses knocked by coronavirus is long, but some may emerge stronger than before.  > Read more
  • Five charts on investing to keep in mind in rough times
    Successful investing can be really difficult in times like the present, with immense uncertainty around the impact of coronavirus on the outlook. These five charts focus on critical aspects of investing that are insightful in times of market stress.  > Read more

The Australian Government is providing financial assistance to Australians to support them through the Coronavirus.

This assistance includes:

  • income support payments
  • payments to support households
  • reducing social security deeming rates

> Stimulus payments to support growth

Working from home expenses rules

The tax office has announced special arrangements affecting those working from home due to the coronavirus crisis. An all-inclusive rate per work hour “shortcut method” is available from 1 March 2020 to 30 June 2022.

> Working from home expenses

Help for people affected by coronavirus

The impact of COVID-19 on businesses is devastating and the toll it is taking on people’s mental health is serious. It’s important that you and your employees get the right emotional support.

> Coronavirus and mental health support

Beyond Blue

Looking after your mental health during the COVID-19 pandemic is essential. Beyond Blue are available to help you and your employees through a range of mental wellbeing advice and strategies.

> How to seek support during this time

COVID-19

Updates from Synectic

JobKeeper extension what to do

JobKeeper Extension – What you need to do

25 September, 2020 / in News / by synecticgroup

The JobKeeper scheme has been extended from 28 September 2020 until 28 March 2021, over two separate extension periods. For each extension period, an additional actual decline in turnover test applies and the rate of the JobKeeper payment is different.

Read more >

Updates to Job Keeper 1.0 & 2.0

18 August, 2020 / in News / by synecticgroup

Changes to JobKeeper eligibility rules announced on 14th August may result in increased JobKeeper 1.0 payments for some businesses. The government has also announced a relaxation of eligibility criteria for JobKeeper 2.0. Find out more about these changes and what you need to do now.

Read more >

COVID-19 Important Updates

5 August, 2020 / in News / by synecticgroup

Job Keeper 2.0 is the most recent Federal announcement, however, we question whether this version may be short lived. We also highlight a new grant from the Tasmanian government to assist those businesses that have been the hardest hit.

Read more >

COVID-19 JobKeeper Updates

Important JobKeeper Updates

17 April, 2020 / in News / by synecticgroup

Recent ATO information has served to broaden JobKeeper eligibility for some businesses and extend deadlines, opening pathways for more businesses to potentially benefit from the subsidy.

Read more >

Synectic | JobKeeper - Important Updates Click here to view online JobKeeper - Important Updates

JobKeeper – Important Updates

17 April, 2020 / in News / by synecticgroup

The roll-out of the JobKeeper program continues at a rapid pace. Is your business ready for the JobKeeper Subsidy? Read our latest update to see what you must be doing now.

Read more >

COVID-19 Investment Markets and Economic Updates

Investment Markets and Economic Updates

16 April, 2020 / in News / by synecticgroup

We have updated our COVID-19 Updates and Resources page to include some key insights into investment markets and economic conditions. This will be particularly relevant to our investor and financial planning clients. Read our newsletter to see the latest articles of interest.

Read more >

COVID-19 JobKeeper Payment update

COVID-19 JobKeeper Payment update

06 April, 2020 / in News / by synecticgroup

The JobKeeper Payment looks to be a saviour for many businesses and thousands of jobs. Read our latest update to see how the payment might help your business.

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COVID-19 JobKeeper Payments

COVID-19 JobKeeper Payments

31 March, 2020 / in News / by synecticgroup

The third coronavirus support package is a $130 billion economic injection designed to save jobs for the next 6 months. Businesses may be entitled to receive a fortnightly wage subsidy of $1,500 per employee. The Government expects up to 6 million people will benefit.

Here’s what to do now.

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COVID-19 Stimulus & Support Update

COVID-19 Stimulus & Support Update

24 March, 2020 / in News / by synecticgroup

This summary focuses on the second round of stimulus measures to support both business and individuals as a result of COVID-19. We also outline key concessions announced to date by major banks and provide a brief update on state government announcements.

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COVID-19 Economic stimulus package: key points for your business

COVID-19 Economic stimulus package: key points for your business

19 March, 2020 / in News / by synecticgroup

In this summary, we address the key economic stimulus measures announced to date to support the economy in the wake of the impact of COVID-19, including Federal and Tasmanian state government and ATO support.

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