Workplace relations company Employsure has launched a new support service, JobKeeper Help, for small and medium-sized businesses to help them apply and administer the federal government’s JobKeeper payments. The launch of the service coincides with the opening of applications with the Australian Taxation Office for the $130 billion stimulus package, which pays companies $750 a… Read more »
Virgin Australia has gone into involuntary administration with the airline expected to shed 1000s of jobs unless they can find private funding to assist, after the government refused to step in with a $1.4 billion bailout. Virgin Atlantic founder Richard Branson said the airline will need government support to keep going and suggested the collapse… Read more »
The time taken to pay small businesses has blown out in the wake of the coronavirus crisis, leading to the SME sector to call for federal legislation to ensure they can manage their cash flow effectively. Research commissioned by financial services firm Scottish Pacific found businesses with an annual revenue of $1-10 million have been… Read more »
Prime minister Scott Morrison says it will be at least a month before governments will look at lifting current shutdown restrictions, but Australia has made real progress in the past month on getting the virus under control and getting economic support in place. “Our attention as a national cabinet is now turning to the road… Read more »
Medtech Atomo Diagnostics had an unusual start to life as a listed company today, holding a virtual bell-ringing as it became the first company to list on the ASX since January. But coronavirus concerns proved to be boon for the rapid blood test startup, which in the past month has turned its attention producing… Read more »
The federal government has announced plans to introduce a contact tracing mobile app to help curb COVID-19’s spread in Australia. Read more: Explainer: what is contact tracing and how does it help limit the coronavirus spread? However, rather than collecting location data directly from mobile operators, the proposed TraceTogether app will use Bluetooth technology to… Read more »
Australia is set to hit double-digit unemployment rates for the first time in 26 years. The Treasury reports the partial economic shutdown has put more than 700,000 Australians out of work with estimates the figure will rise to one million before the end of the June quarter. As a result, the nation’s unemployment rate is expected… Read more »
FinTech Australia has launched a talent marketplace for Australian fintechs on LinkedIn, in a project backed by Tier One People. The marketplace, run through LinkedIn Groups, aims to connect candidates with prospective employers and help any talent displaced by the COVID-19 pandemic find new opportunities. Even before the project went live this week, leading Australian… Read more »
Startup accelerator and VC investor Antler is on the hunt for startups looking to tackle problems created by Covid-19, pledging to invest up to US$500,000 (AU$780,000) in up to five teams globally. Antler, which has a Sydney program that launched last year, is looking for coronavirus-focused startups in the following areas: Mitigation (e.g. masks, contact… Read more »
Commercial tenants hit hard by COVID-19 will have more protection from eviction the NSW government says under a range of new measures in a $440 million land tax relief package announced on Sunday. The measures apply to commercial leases where coronavirus has caused a tenant is in financial distress, including shops, cafes, gyms, hairdressers, restaurants,… Read more »
Tech association ACS is hosting a major online hackathon over the Easter weekend with one goal in mind – to find ways to help ‘Flatten the Curve’ – reduce the infection rate – in the battle against coronavirus. The #flattenthecurvehack runs for 48 hours from 6pm today, April 9, with more than 2000 competitors tackling 62… Read more »
Multinational professional services company Datacom will hire more than 2000 people as part of the ramp up for government support in response to coronavirus. The IT firm is looking to fill thousands of roles to work in purpose-built contact centres across Australiam for federal Government agencies providing frontline services as part of the economic support… Read more »
Accountancy software company MYOB has released a Business Preparedness Guide to help small businesses find their way through all the information and tips on how to successfully face the COVID-19 crisis. MYOB CEO, Greg Ellis, says the rapidly changing situation made it challenging for businesses to keep on top of the latest advice and available… Read more »
Two South Australian companies that have previously worked together to produce luxury speakers are collaborating to manufacture face shields to fill local shortages. Kyron Audio is world-renowned for producing extreme high-fidelity dipole loudspeaker systems for the luxury market and was due to exhibit its wares at Sydney’s 2020 Hi-Fi Show last weekend. But the cancellation… Read more »
Landlords will be forced to reduce rents on commercial properties in proportion with the loss of turnover their small business tenants have experienced under new measures announced by Prime Minister Scott Morrison on Tuesday. The plan will be backed up by state-based legislation and a mandatory Code of Conduct, building on last Friday’s six-month ban… Read more »
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