COVID-19 Resources

Operating with the ongoing changes as a result of COVID-19 can be challenging, these are some key resources that may assist your forest contracting business. 

Business and Activities Restrictions

Restrictions which apply to our daily activities as well as businesses activities based on decisions at the National Cabinet made up of The Prime Minister, state and territory Premiers and Chief Ministers.

Find out more about the Natinal Cabinet's 3-step plan to create COVIDSafe Australia visit the Australian Government Department of Health website.

Cross Border Transport & Movement

A range of border restrictions are in place between various states and the way in which these measures are being controlled may vary from state to state. 

All freight movements will continue ensuring certainty for heavy vehicle operators. 

Those who work and live in different states are also permitted to move across borders however need to adhere to state requirements.

Those moving between states should also note there may be some delays where border checks are in place.

STATE COVID-19 Management Plan Application Process  

Queensland border declaration pass.

South Australia cross border preapproval form

Victorian border crossing permit form

Western Australia border restrictions applications for Special Exemption
Western Australia border arrivals form
Western Australia border controls fact sheet

Northern Territory border entry form

Federal Government Stimulus Packages 

The Federal Government has announced a number of Stimulus Packages to support businesses and people during the COVID-19 pandemic.  

Stimulus Package 1 

The Federal Government announced Stage 1 stimulus measures in response to COVID-19, including:

• $1 billion to a ‘regional and community fund’ to support industries affected by the economic fallout of COVID-19 including agriculture
• Small businesses with apprentices: 50% wage subsidy for apprentices up to $21,000 to keep apprentices in work through wage subsidies - 1 January 2020 to 30 September 2020
• Small to medium-sized businesses: Helping small and medium-sized businesses cover the costs of employee wages and salaries (50% of PAYG withheld, with a minimum $2 000 payment and up to a cap of $25 000 over 6 months) - Covers amounts withheld between 1 January - 30 June 2020
• Businesses generally (excluding the very largest): the instant asset write-off threshold raised to $150,000 and an extra depreciation discount to encourage investment - Immediately, until 30 June 2020

More information about the stimulus packages.

Stimulus Package 2

The measures are targeted at supporting casual workers, sole-traders, retirees and those on income support, and at enabling small businesses to retain employees and to stay in business.

The Government’s announcement can be found here and supporting fact sheets are here.

Key components of the stimulus package for households and businesses are:

• Easier access to some social security payments and a supplementary payment of either $550 or $750 (depending on your welfare payment) on top of existing payments for 6 months. 
• Access of up to $10,000 of an individual’s superannuation in 2019-20 and a further $10,000 in 2020-21, tax free, for those in financial stress as a result of the Coronavirus.
• Temporary reductions in superannuation minimum drawdown requirements for account -based pensions and similar products by 50 per cent for 2019-20 and 2020-21 for retirees. And further reductions to deeming rates by 0.25 percentage points from those announced in the Stage One package
• Payments of between $20,000 and up to $100,000 to eligible SMEs and not-for profits (ie. those with an aggregated annual turnover under $50 million and that employ workers). The payments will go to employers as a payment equal to 100 per cent of their salary and wages withheld (up from 50 per cent announced in the Stage One package), with the maximum payment being increased from $25,000 to $50,000 and the minimum payment increased from $2,000 to $10,000. The payments are tax free and will flow automatically through the ATO.
• The Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme where the Government will guarantee 50 per cent of new loans issued by eligible lenders to SMEs up to $20 billion.
• Temporarily increased thresholds at which creditors can issue a statutory demand on a company and the time companies have to respond to statutory demands; temporary relief for directors from any personal liability for trading while insolvent; and, amendments to the Corporations Act 2001 to provide temporary and targeted relief for companies to deal with unforeseen events that arise as a result of the Coronavirus.

Stimulus Package 3 - JobKeeper

On 30 March the Federal Government announced a $130 billion JobKeeper wage subsidy payment that will be delivered over 6 months and is designed to support businesses to keep Australians in jobs. The Government’s announcement can be found here and the fact sheet here.  A summary of the subsidy is provided below:

• A $1500 fortnightly payment per employee (no superannuation guarantee payment on this amount)

• Eligible for workers who were on the payroll from 1 March and includes any staff who have been stood down after 1 March

• Payments are available to full-time and part-time workers, sole traders, and casuals. Casuals must have been with the business on a regular basis at least the previous 12 months to be eligible.  Also, New Zealanders on appropriate visas (444) are eligible.  

• The subsidy will start on 30 March 2020, with the first payments to be received by employers in the first week of May and will be backdated to 30 March 2020.

• Employers (including non-for-profits) will be eligible for the subsidy if:

  • their business has a turnover of less than $1 billion and their turnover will be reduced by more than 30 per cent relative to a comparable period a year ago (of at least a month); or

  • their business has a turnover of $1 billion or more and their turnover will be reduced by more than 50 per cent relative to a comparable period a year ago (of at least a month); and

  • the business is not subject to the Major Bank Levy

• The subsidy is being facilitated by the ATO and businesses are able to register interest here.
• The Jobseeker payment was also amended which means partners could earn almost $80,000 a year before they were ineligible for the payment.

Territory and State Stimulus Packages

In addition to those packages announced by the Federal Government, there are Territory and State stimulus packages available for individuals and businesses. 

Protect You, Employees and Site Visitors at the Workplace

The Australian Government Department of Health website has information on how to protect you and your workers and practices you should be implementing to promote good hygiene practices to protect against infection and prevent the virus spreading.

Generally, you should provide hand washing facilities or alcohol-based hand sanitiser, tissues and cleaning supplies and promote good hygiene practices.

Further information how to protect you and others 

Workplace entitlements and obligations Fair Work Australia 

COVID-19 videos and Recommended practices for Tasmanian Forestry Industry Operations

Follow best practice safety and hygiene practices  to safely operate through COVID–19.

Guide COVID-19 Recommended practices for Tasmanian forestry industry operations 

All businesses need a plan to manage the risks of COVID–19, this document, which is guidance only, may help businesses create that plan in conjunction with their workers while operating under the Australian COVID–19 Restrictions.

The document is an initiative of Tasmanian Forest Industry stakeholders and members of the TFFPN COVID–19 Communications Working Group. 

Non-Government Support & Resources

Banking Assistance

Australian banks will defer loan repayments for six months for small businesses who need assistance because of the impacts of COVID-19.

For more information

For key banking contact details and information 

Telecommunications Assistance

For information about how Telstra and Optus are supporting their team, customers and the broader community:

NBN Co has unveiled new measures to support increasing capacity and data demand for NBN satellite services in regional and remote Australia during the COVID-19 pandemic.