Connection Accounting

24/06/2022

Grant - Small Business Scale and Craft

Grants of up to $15,000 are available for eligible organisations to expand into new markets, scale up their operations, adopt new technology or develop tourism offerings.

The program is already supporting many businesses, including gourmet pie producers, olive growers, sake distillers and alpaca farmers to grow and boost resilience.

Since it commenced in 2019, the Small-Scale and Craft Program has awarded grants to more than 300 businesses and invested $6.6 million in the sector. It is part of the Victorian Government’s 10-year agriculture strategy to create a sector that is strong, innovative and sustainable.

Applications for the latest round of the Small-Scale and Craft Program are now open and will close on 31 July, 2022.

Grants up to $15,000 are available to eligible small-scale and craft agribusinesses for projects that:

Support Victoria's small-scale and craft agribusinesses to expand into new markets to support business resilience, scale-up operations, adopt new technology and increase access for tourism by developing individual tourism offerings
Ensure Victoria continues to be a leader in artisanal produce, with a renewed focus on excellence, resilience, sustainability, local job creation and economic development.
Grant money can be used for:

New equipment or small-scale infrastructure (including signage)
Technology adoption (excluding training and ongoing maintenance and service support costs)

Expansion of the agribusiness into new markets, including market development strategies and export support
Product diversification

Development and updating of farmgate outlets or sites for tourism (all permits must be submitted as evidence prior to grant agreement)

Other eligible expenditure will be accepted on a per case basis. Projects must be completed within five months of the executed Grant Agreement.

Minister for Agriculture Mary-Anne Thomas said the Government is backing small-scale producers because they provide world-class products, create unique experiences and attract visitors to all parts of Victoria, creating more local jobs.

For more information visit www.agriculture.vic.gov.au/smallscaleandcraftprogram

15/03/2022

The Victoria Government has introduced paid sick leave for casual workers in specific industries. These workers are seen as Vital and Vulnerable.

PLEASE NOTE: This includes Sole Traders.

The following website has all the information and is where you can claim up to 5 days a year at the minimum wage ($20.33 per hour) for sick leave.

https://www.vic.gov.au/sick-pay-guarantee

If you are a casual worker, or employ casual workers please let them know about this scheme. The sick leave is paid by the Victoria government, not employers, for the next 2 years and then a levy will be imposed to cover the cost. This levy has not yet been confirmed on whom it will be charged.

Regards

Dawn

Giving casual and contract workers access to sick and carer's pay

11/01/2022

Should you Pay off your mortgage or put more money into Superannuation?

This is a question I receive often from clients and the answer is not always straight forward. I found this great article over the holidays that is worthwhile reading if you have this scenario.

https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-27/how-to-decide-to-pay-off-your-mortgage-or-top-up-superannuation/100714504

If you would like to discuss this further, you can book in a session to do so at https://calendly.com/connectionaccounting

Happy New Year everyone.

Welcome to my scheduling page. Please follow the instructions to add an event to my calendar.

01/10/2021

Today the Victorian Government has announced that all Authorised Workers in Victoria need to have a first Vaccine by 15th October and a second Vaccine by 26th November to be able to continue in your employment.

Here is a list of Authorised Workers

https://www.coronavirus.vic.gov.au/authorised-provider-and-authorised-worker-list

This list is very wide and extensive. It covers many occupations. Please have a look through to see if it impacts you or your business.

Good Luck Everyone.

Regards

Dawn

Discover who are considered authorised providers, authorised workers or authorised health services

07/09/2021

Hi Everyone,

The Victorian Government has established a rental assistance fund to provide Rent Relief Grants of up to $1,500 to Victorians experiencing rental hardship as a result of the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.

The one-off grant is specifically for renters living in their primary residence to help them maintain safe, secure and stable accommodation. It is paid directly to the renter’s agent, lessor or landlord to contribute to their rental payments, under their new rental agreement.

To be eligible for the grant you will need to:

Have lost income as a result of the pandemic on or after 27 May 2021;

Have less than $2,000 in savings (excluding superannuation);

Have a single income of less than $1,208.85 per week, or $1,813.46 as a couple, aligning to an annual income limit of $62,860 for singles, and $94,300 for couples;

Provide proof of a rent reduction agreement for a period after 27 May 2021; and

Be paying more than 30% of your income in rent.

To apply you need to apply online at

https://www.housing.vic.gov.au/help-renting/rentrelief

The application is not available as yet, but we are informed it will be available soon.

Please bookmark the page and check frequently.

Please let all your family and friends who are renting know.

Regards

Dawn

If you want to rent privately in Victoria and need assistance with the bond, you may be able to borrow the money for an interest-free bond loan.

11/06/2021

Superannuation Changes

You all know that I can bang on a bit about Superannuation and how important it is to you all in regards to your retirement and quality of life at that time. So I wanted to let you all know about an important change that will impact everyone as of 1 July 2021.

The rate for Superannuation Guarantee will be increasing from 9.5% to 10%.

If you are an employer and running payroll software this calculation will occur automatically. But you need to be aware of this as it will increase your payroll for the year. As an example if your payroll is $100,000 then this will increase your payroll expense by $500.

If you are an employee, you should ensure that your employer has made this change and increased the superannuation you are receiving.

Keep in mind that if you want to put more into Superannuation than your employer deposits for you, you can put in personal contributions up to $25,000 a year and also claim tax deductions in certain circumstances. It is a great tax planning strategy.

If anyone would like to chat with me about this, please do not hesitate to contact me.

Regards

Dawn

04/06/2021

The State government has opened grants for businesses that have been impacted by the recent lock down. This includes Sole traders who employ or do not employ people. You just be registered for GST and be registered with Worksafe if you employ people.

The link to the website to apply is:

https://business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/circuit-breaker-business-support-package/business-costs-assistance-program

This grant is specifically for businesses within specific sectors. This list of sectors can be found at:

https://business.vic.gov.au/grants-and-programs/circuit-breaker-business-support-package/business-costs-assistance-program/eligible-anzsic-classes

We are offering assistance to businesses that want to apply apply for a flat fee of $50. Please let me know if you would like us to do that for you.

The closing date is 24 June 2021 so please apply as soon as possible.

If your ANZSIC industry code is not on this list, you are not eligible for funding through the Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two.

03/06/2021

Bookings are now open for your 2021 tax returns. You can select either at our premise or yours or a zoom or phone call, whatever is most convenient for you.

Please use the following link.

https://calendly.com/connectionaccounting

23/02/2021

New Government Support for Victorian Businesses.

The Victorian government have announced a new range of support measures for Businesses that were impacted in the recent "Circuit Breaker".

This support covers the following:

Business that were impacted due to things such as loss of perishable food or loss of booking. $2000

Licensed Premises

Accommodation.

A link to these applications is at:

https://www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/circuit-breaker-action-business-support-package

For any assistance with these applications, please contact me on

0414 814 618 or
[email protected]

Good Luck

Dawn

11/12/2020

Are you hiring extra staff soon.

The Federal government announced a new initiative in the budget to assist younger people get back into the workforce. It is called JobMaker. If you have taken on extra staff (not replacing staff) since Sep 30 2020 and they are under 35 years old you maybe able to access finds towards their wages. This is great for those business's that employ extra people over the summer period.

Here are the basic eligibilty criteria if you are looking for new team members

The employee is between 16–29 or 30–35 years old when they started you.

The received one of the three types of eligible income support – the JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance (other than on the basis that the individual was undertaking full-time study or was a new apprentice) or Parenting Payment – for at least 28 consecutive days (or 2 fortnights) within the 84 days (or 6 fortnights) before commencing employment

Employee has not completed a JobMaker employee notice for another employer you are still working for.

If you believe any of your new employees since 30 Sep 2020 fall into this category, or any new employees you take on do, then look into the JobMaker funds.

If you would like to discuss this further then please contact me.