Monthly Archives: February 2021

Am I paying the right award wage?

Awards set out employment conditions and minimum pay rates. 

There are over 100 industry based awards and they cover most workers in Australia.  That said, whilst financial planners come under an award, accountants don’t; but some workers within an accounting firm may come under an office award depending their duties.

Larger employers with a registered agreement in place have the terms of that agreement over-rule any award(s) that may otherwise be applicable.

Awards can also determine what the default super choice fund.  No wonder industry super funds have go to be so big!

So with all this complexity it’s important to make sure you pay under any applicable award.  But how do you do that?

You can find a list of awards at – https://www.fairwork.gov.au/awards-and-agreements/Awards/list-of-awards

Better yet, you can see what awards that may relate to your employees at Fair Work Australia’s award checker – https://www.fairwork.gov.au/awards-and-agreements/awards/find-my-award/  Please also refer to clause 4 as that is usually the clause that sets out who is covered by the award.  You can also check the most important job classifications which can usually be found within the pay clause or a schedule.

 

Can you benefit from the new Vic Govt support package?

Yesterday the State Government announced its Circuit Breaker Action Business Support Package.

Unlike past support packages, there is no general entitlement. 

The relief is targeted to industries most affected but the snap lockdown:-

  • Licensed hospitality venues who have already received a grant through the Licensed Hospitality Fund will be entitled to a $3,000 grant.

  • Accommodation Support Program has two tiers of funding ($2,250 and $4,500) dependent on the number of cancelled nights. It is an expansion of the existing Regional Tourism Accommodation Support Program and also includes greater Melbourne.

  • An expansion of the Travel Voucher Scheme. A further 10,000 regional vouchers will be issued as well as 40,000 travel vouchers for greater Melbourne.

There will also be a Business Costs Assistance Program for those with annual payroll under $3,000,000.  Full details are yet to be released.

You can register your interest in applying for the Victorian Accommodation Support Program at  https://www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/circuit-breaker-action-business-support-package/victorian-accommodation-support-program

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

We welcome any question you may have.