Permitted Worker Scheme

From 11:59pm Wednesday 5 August, workplaces in Melbourne must be closed unless:

• the workplace is part of a permitted activity, or
• all employees are working from home.

Any employers that require their staff to attend a work site after this time must issue a worker permit to their employees – this is the employer’s responsibility.  Significant fines apply for any breach of scheme requirements to both employers and employees, and includes employees not having a permit on them during their commute, or employers issuing worker permits to employees who do not meet eligibility requirements.

For more information on the permit scheme, and to obtain a template, click here.  

Business Support Fund – Expansion

With the introduction of Stage 4 restrictions in Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, and Stage 3 restrictions across the rest of Victoria, the State Government has also announced a number of additional measures either to assist impacted businesses or ensure compliance with regulations.  

In terms of assistance, the Business Support Fund has been further expanded (on from the initial additional grants made available following the previous reintroduction of Stage 3 restrictions).  These are:

• $10,000 for employing businesses in metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire in recognition of spending longer under restrictions.
• $5,000 for employing businesses in regional local government areas (except Mitchell Shire)

Businesses which have already received a Business Support Fund – Expansion grant, or have applied for one, will not need to re-apply. Successful applicants will automatically receive this additional allocation.

Applications for the program will be extended until 14 September 2020.

More details and applications available here.