COVID-19 Hub for members

Oysters Tasmania has set up a COVID-19 hub so we stop clogging up your inbox. We will still distribute important new information via email but will also post relevant details here as they become available.  

KEEP UP TO DATE 

There is now dedicated Tasmanian Government coronavirus website. It includes business and health information and organises the information previously in a stack of factsheets.  Updates are now tracked.    
Check out the "Business and Employees" and "Stimulus and Support" sections in particular.  

Business Tasmania is also publishing information on and applications for business support  - get yourself registered with them for email updates and/or keep an eye on the website:   

​For information on Federal Government support available to businesses and employers see;
https://business.gov.au/risk-management/emergency-management/coronavirus-information-and-support-for-business
​https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/businesses

TORC LEvy waiver

​The Oysters Tasmania Board recognises the incredibly challenging times members are going through and in light of this decided to waive the industry levy for 2020. 

The levy represents a significant portion of Oysters Tasmania's operating budget along with profits from the Shellfish Futures conference. We have cancelled this event for the time being.  

This will put some financial pressure on the organisation but will continue to operate and support the industry through this time and aid in the recovery effort. 

AMSA Extension National Law certificates of competency

Due to COVID-19 AMSA has issued an exemption that:
  • extends all National Law certificates of competency and all associated endorsements, expiring between 26 March and 1 October 2020, for six months from the expiry date noted on the certificate, and; 
  • permits crew, subject to this exemption, to work on a domestic commercial vessel for this extension period.
These changes have been made for all certificates of competency and associated endorsements expiring between 26 March and 1 October. This means that you do not have to apply for the extension, it happens automatically.
​
See here for details

Rural Alive and Well - Helping Tasmanian's through tough times!

Rural Alive and Well (RAW) has been helping Tasmanian’s through the tough times for over ten years, by providing individual tailored support to individuals and communities to improve their mental health and wellbeing.  RAW will continue to step up and support Tasmanian’s through this unprecedented pandemic that has seen many lives turned upside down and inside out.

RAW will have an industry specific coordinator focusing on seafood industry members through the Stay Afloat initiative, a partnership between RAW and the Tasmanian Seafood Industry Council.
Call 1300 HELP MATE (1300 4357 6283) - Talk to a local Reach Out Coordinator 24/7 - a nonjudgmental ear providing support, encouragement and practical advice.
If you know someone who needs help you can also contact RAW to arrange for them to make a cold call to have a chat. 
Visit www.rawtas.com.au or see here for details.

INternational Freight Support

The federal government is providing support to the agriculture and seafood sector to deal with current air freight constraints. This includes $110 million to ensure air freight capacity remains open for critical markets. An International Freight Coordinator-General has been appointed to oversee this task. They will work with airlines and freight forwarders.

Information is being sort on how to guide this investment from the seafood sector, you can register and share your freight requirements here.

Tasmanian Government SUpport 

The Tasmanian State Government announced it's Social . This includes specific support for the shellfish farming industry in the form of;
  • $427,000 for licence and rental fees relief for shellfish farming; and
  • $770,000 for ShellMAP Program Fee Relief.​

Oysters Tasmania and the broader industry are very grateful to the Premier and Minister Barnett for their support of our industry during this difficult time. 
​
The social and economic support package includes many other areas of support relevant to our industry, with a summary here.  

business support

We have compiled a list of some of the support available. Please be aware that some of these involve complex financial arrangements that we are not qualified to provide advice on. See further down the page for details of free financial counseling from Rural Business Tasmania.   
General Business Support 
  • Loans of $20,000 to 250, 000 interest free for 3 years for Tasmanian businesses earning under $10 mil p.a. APPLICATIONS OPEN apply here
  • Federal Government will guarantee 50% of new loans up to $250,000 issued by eligible lenders to SMEs
  • Increased instant asset write-off to $150,000 for assets installed or ready for use by 30 June 2020
  • 15 month Investment incentive till 30 June 2021 with accelerated  depreciation deductions of 50% of the cost of eligible asset on installation.
  • Deferred loan repayments by banks for small businesses affected by coronavirus see here
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​
Employers
​There is some support available for employers to help keep staff on during this time including;
  • JobKeeper Payments of $1,500 per fortnight per eligible employee see here
  • Temporary cash flow support with $10,000 to $50,000 rebate on PAYGW. Paid automatically, via lodged activity statements for businesses with turnover under $50m. This will be paid from April to June 2020.
  • Eligible businesses to receive additional $10,000 to $50,000,  based on PAYGW for that period for employing businesses. This will be paid from July to October 2020.
  • Assistance to help pay the wages of apprentices or trainees 
  • Payroll Tax Waivers for seafood industry businesses for the last four months of 2019-20.
​ See here for details of federal support, the state announcement for payroll tax waivers is here
For information on coronavirus and employment laws see here for work place safety information see here
​
Companies
  • Temporary increase to threshold at which creditors can issue statutory demands on businesses to $20,000, and an increase in time to respond to such demands to 6 months.
  • Temporary relief from director’s personal liability for trading while insolvent (please seek professional advice if this is applicable to your business)
 ​
See here for details on these support packages and more.
​
​Sole Traders
  • JobKeeper Payments of $1,500 per fortnight see here
  • Income support payments increased by $550/fortnight and eligibility expanded
  • Early superannuation access of $10,000 in 2019-20 and an additional $10,000 in 2020-21
  • Tax relief for some business obligations.
 ​
See here for details on these support packages and more.

Employee SUpport

We know you are worried about your business and your workers - Please make sure they are aware of some of the support that is available to them including; ​
  • Mortgage Pauses (talk to your bank)
  • Waived Government School Fees (to be refunded if already paid)
  • Early superannuation access of $10, 000 in 2019-20 and an additional $10, 000 in 2020-21
For employees who lose work and need income support payments the federal government has waived the following;
  • Ordinary waiting period
  • Liquid asset test waiting period
  • Newly arrived residents waiting period
  • Seasonal work preclusion period.
​
A coronavirus supplement has been announced to income support payments of $550 per fortnight to eligible parties.  
Direct your employees ​here for income support if their employment has been affected. 

FInancial counselling

Rural Business Tasmania has a financial counselling service that can provide confidential and independent counsel to primary producers, fishermen and small rural businesses that are suffering financial hardship.
​Visit http://www.ruralbusinesstasmania.org.au/ or call  1300 88 3276 

Mental HEalth 

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These are difficult and uncertain times, we all need to monitor our mental health and that of those around us.
​You or someone you know may be in need of support, Rural Alive and Well (RAW) provides free, confidential outreach support to rural Tasmania for mental health and well being.  
​Call 1300 HELP MATE (1300 4357 6283) anytime 24/7  or visit http://www.rawtas.com.au/ 

Contacts

Oysters Tasmania is here to support you wherever we can. Please get in touch if there is anything we can do or just to have a chat;
VISIT US
​Oysters Tasmania
117 Sandy Bay Road
Sandy Bay, 7005
Phone 03 6224 2332
www.oysterstasmania.org
theteam@oysterstasmania.org