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
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.
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:
See here for details
- 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.
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.
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.
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;
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.
- $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
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Employers
There is some support available for employers to help keep staff on during this time including;
For information on coronavirus and employment laws see here for work place safety information see here |
Companies
See here for details on these support packages and more. |
Sole Traders
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;
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.
- 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
- 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
Visit http://www.ruralbusinesstasmania.org.au/ or call 1300 88 3276
Mental HEalth

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/
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;