Welcome back to our Weekly Digest. Read on for the latest updates and some ideas to help us all move forward. Lack of Chinese investment worrying A new report shows that Chinese investment in the Australian economy fell a staggering 69 per cent in the last financial year, reaching 2007 levels. The shift signals a change in the international financial landscape. ATO cracks down on family trust fraud, worrying tax… Read more
Should You Mix or Match Your Booster Dose? In Australia, Pfizer and Moderna COVID-19 vaccines are recommended as booster shots, regardless of which vaccine you had for your first two doses. Some research has indicated that “mixing and matching” vaccines could give your immune system a bigger boost. Eligibility Criteria for Tourism, Hospitality and Gym Grant in SA Extended The South Australian government has announced the eligibility criteria for its… Read more
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment People who are forced out of work to isolate due to being infected or being a close contact are eligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment. You are also eligible if you are caring for a child under 16 years old who is a close contact or infected, or someone with a disability or a severe medical condition who is a close contact of someone with… Read more
COVID-19 Vaccination Info Kiosks COVID-19 vaccination information kiosks are now open in shopping centres and at events in New South Wales, Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia to help you book a vaccination appointment. Australia to Push Ahead with Reopening The government said the milder impact of the Omicron variant of COVID-19 meant Australia could push ahead with plans to reopen the economy even as new cases hit a record… Read more
Government Rules Out Lockdowns Despite Omicron Surge Prime Minister Scott Morrison said Australia must move past “the heavy hand of government” and authorities must stop shutting down people’s lives with lockdowns. This comes amid the surge of COVID-19 cases due to the Omicron variant. The government is now aiming to ramp up the rollout of booster shots. Australia- UK Free Trade Agreement The UK and Australia have signed a Free… Read more
Moderna and Australian Government Partnered to Bring Manufacturing to Australia Moderna, Inc. announced an agreement with the Australian Government to build a state-of-the-art messenger RNA (mRNA) vaccine manufacturing facility in Victoria, including access to Moderna’s mRNA development engine. Up to 100 million mRNA vaccine doses could be produced in Australia each year. This collaboration will support Australia with direct access to rapid pandemic response capabilities. Visa Holders Now Allowed to… Read more
Queensland Border Reopening Requirements The Queensland border will open at 1 am on 13 December, earlier than expected. Fully vaccinated people from declared “hotspots” – that includes NSW, Victoria and South Australia- will be able to enter by road or air. Those crossing into Queensland from a declared hotspot require evidence of a negative PCR test in the 72 hours prior to crossing the border. After arriving, those from hotspots… Read more
International Border Reopening for Skilled Workers and Students Delayed Plans to reopen international borders to skilled workers and students have been halted due to concerns over the COVID-19 Omicron variant. The 1 December opening will be delayed by at least two weeks, including the plan to open the border to visitors from Japan and South Korea. Travel Guidance for International Arrivals In an effort to prevent the spread of the… Read more
Australia to Reopen to Foreign Visa Holders Australia will allow foreign visa holders to enter the country from the start of December in a bid to revive the economy. International borders have been shut since May 2020 and allowed only restricted numbers of citizens and permanent residents to enter to prevent the spread of the coronavirus. Prime Minister Scott Morrison said starting 1 December, vaccinated students, business visa holders, and… Read more
Australia Hits 90% Single-Dose Mark Australia has hit a new milestone, with 90% of those who are 16 years old and above having received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccine. This makes every state and territory on track to hit 80% fully vaccinated by the end of 2021. Australia Aims to Vaccinate Children Under 12 Years Old Australia will likely start administering the shots for children under 12… Read more
$44 Million Recovery Package for Melbourne The Melbourne Money scheme is returning to the CBD, with the state government and City of Melbourne launching a $200m “revitalisation fund”. From 15 November, those dining in the CBD between Monday and Thursday can claim a 30% discount – of up to $150 – off their restaurant bill. Previously, the Melbourne Money scheme launched over the winter had a cap of $100. Last… Read more
Borders are reopening! After closing its international borders for nearly 600 days, Australia is now open to foreign visitors starting on Monday, as restrictions gradually lift. Fully vaccinated travelers from New Zealand who test negative in pre-departure tests can now enter and avoid quarantine in NSW. The next set of foreign travelers who can visit Australia will be those from Singapore. From 21 November, fully vaccinated travelers can enter NSW… Read more
Australia-Singapore Travel Lane Begins on 8 November Australia and Switzerland will join the eleven countries – including the United States, the United Kingdom, Spain, Italy and France – that have signed on to Singapore’s vaccination travel lane arrangement that replaces quarantine with COVID-19 testing pre-departure and on arrival. The start date for this long-awaited agreement will be on 8 November. Officials Plan to Roll Out COVID-19 Booster Shots Soon Officials… Read more
We’re thinking of everyone affected by lockdowns around the country and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions about your business during this time. Melbourne to Ease Lockdown Melbourne is set to lift its stay-at-home orders by Friday. This comes as Victoria’s vaccination rate is set to reach 70% this week. Melbourne has been in lockdown for a total of 262 days– the longest in the world.… Read more
We’re thinking of everyone affected by lockdowns around the country and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions about your business during this time. Sydney Reopens After Months of Lockdown Cafes, gyms, and restaurants in Sydney opened for fully vaccinated customers on Monday after months in lockdown. Under the relaxed rules for New South Wales, retail stores and restaurants reopened with reduced capacity, and more vaccinated people… Read more
We’re thinking of everyone affected by lockdowns around the country and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions about your business during this time. 80% vaccination targets approaching The Delta outbreak may have reached a turning point, with more than half the country in extended lockdowns and vaccination rates starting to approach national targets. According to Health Minister Greg Hunt, 80% of Australians will have had their… Read more
We’re thinking of everyone affected by lockdowns around the country and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions about your business during this time. Read on for assistance that may be available to you. Australia Post Pauses Melbourne Parcels Australia Post announced that parcel pickups, collections, and business lodgements would be paused in Melbourne for five days from Friday because of COVID-19 backlogs. Australia Post had already… Read more
We’re thinking of everyone affected by lockdowns around the country and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions about your business during this time. Read on for assistance that may be available to you. End of Lockdown in Sight for Melbourne Melbourne will exit its coronavirus lockdown in late October if vaccine targets are met. The city has been under lockdown since August 5, but restrictions could… Read more
We’re thinking of everyone affected by lockdowns around the country and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions about your business during this time. Read on for assistance that may be available to you. Vaccine Passports for International Travel The government has taken a major step towards establishing a vaccine passport for international travel. Last week, it was announced that the system that will enable recognition of… Read more
We’re thinking of everyone affected by lockdowns around the country and encourage you to reach out if you have any questions about your business during this time. Read on for assistance that may be available to you. COVID-19 Government Support By State and Industry Small businesses that are currently suffering from lockdowns can get financial assistance to help them get through the pandemic. You can find the latest government support… Read more