Message from the CEO | 8 March 2022

For much of the east coast, the past seven days have been challenging beyond belief. While south-east Queensland is...

For much of the east coast, the past seven days have been challenging beyond belief. While south-east Queensland is in recovery mode, New South Wales is still facing floods and severe weather. It is our deepest hope that after today the rain will ease and those affected can also...

Read More

WorkCover Queensland supporting flood-affected policyholders in QLD

If you are a WorkCover Queensland policyholder and have been affected by the recent severe flooding in Queensland, there...

If you are a WorkCover Queensland policyholder and have been affected by the recent severe flooding in Queensland, there are a couple of ways you can get help throughout this recovery period.  WorkCover Queensland can assist policyholders who make contact with them by: Reviewing their estimated wages for the current...

Read More

Women and super – how to narrow the gap

Research shows the odds are stacked against Australian women when it comes to saving for retirement. Factors like the...

Research shows the odds are stacked against Australian women when it comes to saving for retirement. Factors like the gender pay gap, taking time out of the workforce to care for children or family and having a longer life expectancy, all contribute to most women having less money than...

Read More

COVID-19 lease protections extended for small business tenants in NSW

Small businesses doing it tough due to COVID-19 are set to benefit from further NSW Government support following a...

Small businesses doing it tough due to COVID-19 are set to benefit from further NSW Government support following a decision to extend mediation protections under the commercial leasing regulation until 30 June 2022. Treasurer Matt Kean said the challenges facing small business have been significant which is why we are...

Read More

Disaster assistance extended to support flooded Queenslanders

Low interest loans are now available for Queensland primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in local government areas...

Low interest loans are now available for Queensland primary producers, small businesses and not-for-profit organisations in local government areas facing a massive clean-up operation in the aftermath of the flooding in Queensland. Financial help is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA). DRFA low interest loans...

Read More

Tasmania’s staged approach to ease mandatory mask wearing

In line with public health advice, mandatory mask wearing in certain settings will be phased out in coming weeks...

In line with public health advice, mandatory mask wearing in certain settings will be phased out in coming weeks as Tasmania continues their transition to live with COVID-19. From 12.01am, Saturday 5 March 2022, masks will no longer be required for retail settings, except for staff to ensure business continuity. This...

Read More

New flood support packages for NSW businesses released

A new support package for flood-affected communities across New South Wales will be released today to support farmers, businesses...

A new support package for flood-affected communities across New South Wales will be released today to support farmers, businesses and local councils to recover and rebuild. This initial $434.7 million of funding from the Commonwealth and New South Wales governments will be provided to support communities clean up and remove...

Read More

Extended retail trading hours for upcoming public holidays in Perth

The State Government has approved four extra hours of trading for general retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area...

The State Government has approved four extra hours of trading for general retail shops in the Perth metropolitan area on each of the upcoming public holidays, Labour Day and Easter Monday. The extension to permitted opening times means general retail shops will be able to trade any time between 8am...

Read More

Message from the CEO | 1 March 2022

Before I begin today’s column, it is only appropriate to begin today by stating that the NRA’s thoughts are...

Before I begin today’s column, it is only appropriate to begin today by stating that the NRA’s thoughts are very much with all Australians currently affected by these terrible floods. I myself have been trapped at home as floodwaters rose through the streets, and several of our team members...

Read More

Flood support payments available for Northern NSW

Residents across Northern New South Wales can start applying for Commonwealth financial support through Services Australia from today. Financial support...

Residents across Northern New South Wales can start applying for Commonwealth financial support through Services Australia from today. Financial support has been activated for Northern New South Wales local government areas of Ballina, Bellingen, Byron, Clarence Valley, Coffs Harbour, Kyogle, Lismore, Richmond Valley and Tweed. The Australian Government Disaster Recovery Payment...

Read More

Beem It to help Aussie small business give cashback rewards to customers

Australia’s home-grown digital wallet and payments app, Beem It, is launching a new rewards feature to empower small businesses to...

Australia’s home-grown digital wallet and payments app, Beem It, is launching a new rewards feature to empower small businesses to create bespoke rewards and offers. The new customisable debit rewards feature, called Beem Rewards, will give 1.5m Beem customers the potential* to earn cashback on their spend, and receive offers and...

Read More

Victorian businesses to benefit from $200 million stimulus package

The Victorian Government has announced a major stimulus injection to help businesses recover strongly from the effects of the...

The Victorian Government has announced a major stimulus injection to help businesses recover strongly from the effects of the Omicron variant. The $200 million package was announced by Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula and Assistant Treasurer and Minister for Creative Industries Danny Pearson. It targets key sectors...

Read More

NSW SINGLE-USE PLASTICS BAN | Support for impacted organisations

The NSW Government is banning certain plastic items in two stages during 2022. From 1 June 2022, lightweight plastic shopping...

The NSW Government is banning certain plastic items in two stages during 2022. From 1 June 2022, lightweight plastic shopping bags (35 microns or less) will be banned. From 1 November 2022, the following items will be banned: single-use plastic straws and stirrers single-use plastic cutlery single-use plastic plates and bowls...

Read More

Have you fulfilled your February ATO checklist?

As February is nearing an end, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) have released some helpful reminders and information for...

As February is nearing an end, the Australian Tax Office (ATO) have released some helpful reminders and information for small businesses.   Getting it right for super If you missed, or didn’t pay the full amount of your employees' super guarantee (SG) for the quarter ended 31 December 2021, you'll need to: ...

Read More

Major improvements to mandatory standards regulations

In a major win for Australian businesses and consumers alike, Treasury has announced improvements to mandatory standards regulations that...

In a major win for Australian businesses and consumers alike, Treasury has announced improvements to mandatory standards regulations that will mean trusted international standards will be more easily recognised under Australian Consumer Law (ACL). For years, the the National Retail Association (NRA) has championed retail product safety through our Technical...

Read More

Are you aware of your record-keeping obligations?

        The increased focus on tax governance processes being in place in businesses, including SME’s, has highlighted the need for...

        The increased focus on tax governance processes being in place in businesses, including SME’s, has highlighted the need for businesses to be more aware of their record-keeping obligations required under various taxation laws. On the back of this, last week (9 February 2022) the Government introduced the Treasury Laws Amendment...

Read More