Contractor or employee? Just because an agreement states that a worker is an independent contractor, this does not mean that they are a contractor for tax and superannuation purposes, new guidance from the ATO warns. Where there is a written contract, the rights and obligations of the contract need to support that an independent contracting [...]
Fixed-term employment contracts limited to 2 years From 6 December 2023, employers can no longer employ an employee on a fixed-term contract that: is for 2 or more years (including extensions) may be extended more than once, or is a new contract: that is for the same or a substantially similar role as previous contracts [...]
Up to 10 years in prison for deliberate ‘wage theft’ Legislation currently being debated in Parliament will introduce a new criminal offence for intentional “wage theft”. If enacted, in addition to the criminal offence, a fine will apply. The fine is three times the underpayment and: For individuals - 5,000 penalty units (currently $1,565,000). For [...]
Recruiting new employees? The 1 November superannuation rule changes When your business hires a new employee, the Choice of Fund form is used to identify where they want their superannuation to be directed. If the employee does not identify a fund, generally the employer directs their superannuation into a default fund. From 1 November 2021, [...]
Unwinding COVID-19 Relief COVID-19 support will roll back as states and territories reach vaccination targets. The National Plan, the road map out of COVID-19, does more than provide greater freedoms at 70% and 80% full vaccination rates, it withdraws the steady stream of Commonwealth financial support to individuals and business impacted by COVID-19 lockdowns and [...]
Mental Health Support for Business Owners Running a business can be an isolating experience. And, with COVID-19 lockdowns and disruptions to trade, the pressure can be intense. NewAccess for Small Business Owners is a free and confidential mental health program developed by Beyond Blue to give small business owners the support they need. Whether you’re [...]
What now? Unwinding the Pandemic Australia’s two largest states and the ACT are in lockdown as the Delta strain of COVID-19 takes its toll while others are standing firm on a policy of eradication. The result is a country at a policy impasse and divided by border restrictions. And, it is not just businesses in [...]
Lock-downs: What help is available The highly infectious Delta COVID variant is triggering lock-downs across the country. We look at what help is available and how you can get it. For you COVID-19 disaster payment The COVID-19 disaster payment is available to eligible workers who can’t attend work or who have lost income because of [...]
What changes on 1 July 2021? Super guarantee rate increase to 10% On 1 July 2021, the Superannuation Guarantee (SG) rate will rise from 9.5% to 10% - the first rise since 2014. It will then steadily increase each year until it reaches 12% on 1 July 2025. The 0.5% increase does not mean that [...]
FBT 2021: Tax & employee benefits Fringe benefits tax (FBT) is one of Australia’s most disliked taxes because it’s cumbersome and generates a lot of paperwork. The COVID-19 lockdowns have added another layer of complexity as many work patterns and behaviours changed. A fringe benefit is a ‘payment’ to an employee or an associate (an [...]
