We are monitoring the latest announcements and informing and directing local businesses to the relevant federal and state support funds and initiatives, as well as key government agencies, business and industry groups support programs.  

Our team is available to act as a liaison point to help you understand the permits that may be necessary for your business to operate. In addition, we can assist in streamlining any permit applications that are required by Whitehorse City Council.

For more information please refer to the Permits and Licences page  

Throughout the coronavirus pandemic we will continue to facilitate and support mentoring, networking and training programs for businesses.

All details on any upcoming programs can be found on the What’s On section of this website. 

The Investment and Economic Development Unit have developed flyers that can be displayed on shopfront windows/ business premises detailing the current status and offering of your business.

View suite of flyers available

Even though we are working remotely, we are still available Monday–Friday, 9am-5pm and can be contacted at 9262 6333 or business@whitehorse.vic.gov.au. Alternatively, please complete the call back form at the bottom of this web page and a member of our team will be in contact with you. 

Federal Government agencies in this section include: 

• Business.gov.au
• Australian Taxation Office
• Safe Work Australia
• Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman
• Austrade
• Department of Education, Skills and Employment

Business.gov.au 

The Federal Government’s Coronavirus Information and Support for Business web portal includes information on: 

• Support for Sole Traders (including JobKeeper payment, Backing Business Investment).
• Support available for Employers (including JobKeeper payment, boosting cashflow for employers, employer obligations).
• Support available for Companies (including JobKeeper payment, Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses, SME Guarantee Scheme)
• JobTrainer skills package, to reform the Vocational Education and Training sector and keep apprentices in jobs.

In addition, there is information on relief for commercial tenants, supporting apprentices and trainees, Increased and accelerated income support, and much more. 

Australian Taxation Office

The Australian Taxation Office have put together a dedicated section on their website of measures and tailored support during COVID-19.

• Businesses and employers (JobKeeper payment, boosting cash flow for employers, increasing the instant asset write-off, Backing Business Investment). 
• Individuals and employees (JobKeeper payment, early release of superannuation, working from home).
• Tax Professionals (lodgment deferrals, payment deferrals, on-time lodgment performance requirement)

In addition, the website contains information on tax and super obligations, including FAQ’s and support that is available.

Safe Work Australia

Safe Work Australia is an Australian government statutory body established to develop national policy relating to work health and safety (WHS) and workers’ compensation. 

Their COVID Information for workplaces page provides a central hub of WHS guidance and tools that Australian workplaces can use to form the basis of their management of health and safety risks posed by COVID-19. 

This includes information relating to:

• Duties under WHS laws
• Workers’ rights
• Cleaning
• Working from home
• Resources for workplaces in specific industries such as aged care, hospitality, education, and many more. 

Australian Small Business and Family Enterprise Ombudsman (ASBFEO)

The ASBFEO supports small businesses and family enterprises through the two main functions of advocacy and assistance. They have created My Business Health Portal which is an online information hub containing three main categories:

• I am a Sole Trader
• I am a Small Business
• I need support

These categories contain information on the support and assistance available at both state and federal levels. 

Austrade

The COVID-19: Support for Australian businesses website provides updates on markets and logistics, and links through to the Australian Government’s extensive business support programs.

Updates are specifically included for various markets including:

• China
• North America
• New Zealand, and many more.

The site also includes updates specific industry types, including:

• Agribusiness and food
• Health
• Digital technologies, and more. 

Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE)

The DESE's dedicated COVID-19 page is designed to assist students, parents, and education providers, as well as job seekers and employers find the information they need to make informed decisions about managing risk associated with COVID-19.

Specific detailed sections on this website include: 

• Schools and students
• Early childhood education and care providers and services
• Higher education providers
• Vocational education and training providers 
• Employment service providers, and more. 

Victorian Government agencies in this section include: 

• Business Victoria
• Victorian Small Business Commission
• Department of Health and Human Services Victoria 
• Victorian Skills Gateway
• WorkSafe Victoria 
• State Revenue Office Victoria
   

Business Victoria

Business Victoria’s coronavirus web portal contains advice and updates to support your workplace in planning and responding to COVID-19. This includes:

• Business Support Fund - Expansion
• Economic Survival and Jobs Package
• Economic Survival and Jobs Package
• Sole Trader Support Fund
• Business restrictions
• Business continuity and recovery plans, and much more. 

Business Victoria has launched a business assistance and financial finder to help businesses, sole traders, apprentices, trainees, or employees identify support or financial assistance available during the COVID-19 pandemic. 

Recently, the Victorian Government in partnership with key industry groups and education providers, as part of the $1.7 billion Economic Survival Package supporting Victorian businesses and workers through the impacts of the coronavirus crisis launched Upskill My Business. This platform offers free online programs, short courses and events covering a range of topics. 

Victorian Small Business Commission (VSBC)

The VSBC website provides detailed information regarding the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme, to alleviate financial hardship faced by tenants and landlords as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19). Fact sheets have also been produced for this in English, Simplified Chinese, Arabic and Vietnamese. 

In addition, the VSBC offers a mediation service for commercial tenants and landlords, supporting fair tenancy negotiations.

For help in planning for business continuity and preparing for recovery, the VSBC have developed a free practical guide to creating a mental health plan in response to coronavirus (COVID-19)

Department of Health and Human Services Victoria (DHHS)

The DHHS Victoria page for Business and Industry (COVID-19) provides a vast amount of information and advice for businesses. This includes:

• PPE Guidance
• Cleaning and disinfecting for business and constructions sites
• Preventing infectious diseases in the workplace, and much more. 

A telephone hotline has also been set up by DHHS, which is operated by the Nurse-on-Call service. Please phone 1800 675 398 to contact the hotline. 

Victorian Skills Gateway

The infection control training is a new accredited skill set course. This free training is available to help staff identify and manage the ongoing risk of coronavirus (COVID-19) infections in their workplace. This will help businesses safely reopen and ensure their customers and workforce are protected, as Victoria emerges from the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

Visit the infection control training webpage 

WorkSafe Victoria

Find the latest information about Coronavirus (COVID-19) and preventing infectious diseases in the workplace on the WorkSafe Victoria website.

As of Wednesday 29 July, employers are required to notify WorkSafe immediately if they become aware that a worker has received a confirmed coronavirus diagnosis.

This includes:

• Minimising the spread of COVID-19 in various industries
• Preparing for a pandemic

State Revenue Office Victoria

The Victorian Government has announced tax relief to support businesses through Victoria’s State of Emergency, as part of a broader economic survival package in response to COVID-19. This includes:

• Land Tax Relief
• Payroll tax waived for eligible businesses
• Liquor licence fees waived

Visit the website for further details

Industry and Associations in this section include: 

• Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry
• Victorian Tourism Industry Council
• Australian Retailers Association 
• Energy Network Australia

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)

VCCI’s COVID-19 (Coronavirus) resources for business webpage contains numerous resources, including:

• Business closures
• Workplace impacts
• Financial impacts
• Trade and export assistance
• Working from home policies and checklists, and much more.

VCCI have also produced a COVID-19 Employer Guide – Managing the workplace in the face of the outbreak. This guide is downloaded via their website. 

Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC)

As the peak industry body for tourism and events sector, VTIC’s website contains crucial information specifically relating to the tourism sector. Including:

• Health information and guidance
• Support and funding
• Working with your customers
• Workplace impacts, and much more. 

They are also hosting a range of upcoming webinars, which you can register for via the website. 

Australian Retailers Association (ARA)

The ARA is monitoring information from government, health agencies and retailers to provide their retail members with updates as the developing Coronavirus (COVID-19) situation unfolds.

Visit their dedicated COVID-19 Information for businesses web portal for the latest information for retailers. Including:

• Recovery planning
• Financial assistance packages
• Downloadable assets, and much more.

Energy Network Australia

The Energy Network Australia have put together a page on how the energy industry plans to manage the COVID-19 pandemic and support its customers.

Visit the COVID-19 Information page on their website for details.

Downloadable resources in this section include:

• Australian Government Department of Health posters, fact sheets and FAQs
• National Retail Association booklet, Roadmap to Retail Recovery
• National COVID-19 Coordination Commission Planning Tool
• WorkSafe Victoria Guide, Preparing for a pandemic: a guide for employers
• Digital Events Playbook - your guide to hosting virtual events on YouTube

Australian Government Department of Health

A suite of resources have been compiled by the Australian Government Department of Health for the general public and industry relating to coronavirus (COVID-19). These resources include:

• posters for your business
• fact sheets
• frequently asked questions, and much more.

Visit the website to view the resources  

National Retail Association    

The National Retail Association have produced a booklet, Roadmap to Retail Recovery – Your Guide to Emerging from COVID-19 Hibernation. This includes information on;

• re-engaging with your customers
• financial resources
• human resources
• queueing
• government restrictions, and much more. 

Through this website you can also download a free COVID-19 Employer Resource Pack as well as an array of COVID-19 marketing material and posters. 

Visit the website to view the resources

National COVID-19 Coordination Commission

The National COVID-19 Coordination Commission have developed a planning tool to assist businesses reopen and be COVID Safe.

The planning tool assists in planning how to keep your workers, customers and the community safe as you reopen or increase your business activities.

Visit website to view planning tool

WorkSafe Victoria    

WorkSafe Victoria have produced the guide, Preparing for a pandemic: a guide for employers. This document covers how employers can use occupational health and safety (OHS) practice to plan for a pandemic.

Visit the website to download the guide

Digital Events Playbook – your guide to hosting virtual events on YouTube

This downloadable guide covers making videos and hosting digital events on YouTube, complete with links to many more resources and video tutorials.

Download the guide

Business related research and data in this section include:

• Business Victoria Hub
• Analyse Australia - a platform created by McCrindle Research
• Deloitte Australia
• Australian Business Economic Imapct Survey Findings - REMPLAN

Business Victoria Hub    

Business Victoria have created an online hub, containing advice and articles from business leaders and industry experts on a huge range of topics.  

Visit the Business Victoria Hub

Analyse Australia - a platform created by McCrindle Research

Gain an insight into how the global pandemic is shaping the sentiment, behaviour and outlook of Australians. 

Download the free report - How Australians are responding to COVID-19

Deloitte Australia    

This web page brings together insights from Deloitte Australia to help businesses manage and mitigate risk from COVID-19.

View the Combating COVID-19 with resilience webpage

Australian Business Economic Impact Survey Findings - REMPLAN

Following the launch of the Australian Business Economic Impact Survey, REMPLAN have now published findings from this survey.

National insights were released on April 3rd. As responses increased, state level insights were presented on April 14th, and most recently the impacts of COVID-19 for industry sectors have been released.

To view these findings please visit the Blog section of the REMPLAN website

REMPLAN has also published information about the Economy, Jobs and Business Insights in Whitehorse in relation to COVID-19.

There are many programs and resources available that encourage supporting local businesses by thinking local and buying local.. 

• Go Local First
• Click for Vic

Go Local First

Go Local First campaign, created by the Council of Small Business Organisations Australia, encourages the support of local businesses by choosing to spend with small businesses, both in store and online.

Visit the Go Local First website

Click for Vic

The "Click for Vic” campaign is a State Government initiative created to support local businesses and jobs.

The campaign aims to connect consumers with Victorian businesses offering at-home, virtual or delivered to your door experiences and to help keep businesses operating.

Businesses can find out how to get involved with the campaign by accessing the industry toolkit

There are many resources available for employers and employees. 

• Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for Victorian Small Businesses Program
• Heads Up Website
• Business Victoria

Wellbeing and Mental Health Support for Victorian Small Businesses 

Through this program, Victorians dealing with the challenges of running a small business can get the mental health support they need to navigate through the impacts of coronavirus (COVID-19).

The Partners in Wellbeing telephone line is available provide business owners under stress with free access to business advisers and financial counsellors. The service is available from 9am - 10pm weekdays

The page also provides information about the mental health support for Victorian Small Businesses in a range of other languages.

Visit the website to find out more  

Heads Up Website

The Heads Up website is developed by Beyond Blue and supported by the Mentally Healthy Workplace Alliance.

This website provides a wide range of resources, information and advice for individuals and organisations – all of which are designed to offer simple, practical and, importantly, achievable guidance in creating a better mental health in the workplace. 

Visit the Heads Up website

Business Victoria

Business Victoria have a dedicated Mental Health in business page outlining symptoms, mental health resources and information about professional help.

Visit the Mental Health in Business page

It is pivotal that businesses make sure they have effective cyber security in place. See resources below from government agencies with tips to assist businesses with cyber safety and security.

• Australian Taxation Office
  Top Cyber Security Tips for Businesses
• Business.gov.au
  Cyber Security and your business
• Business Victoria 
  6 Cyber Security Tips for Remote Working

From 11:59pm on Wednesday 5 August, employers that require their staff to attend a work site must issue a worker permit to their employees – this is the employer’s responsibility.

Visit the Permitted Worker Scheme page to find out information about eligibility, information employers will need and how to issue a worker permit.

Under the Stage 4 restrictions, there are new requirements for businesses. Certain services and industries will be able to remain operational and will be required by law to have a COVID Safe Plan.

For information about employer obligations, your COVID safe plan (including High Risk COVID safe plans) and fact sheets, visit the COVID safe workplace webpage.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is partnering with the Victorian Government to deliver a business mentoring program to help small businesses navigate the economic challenges posed by restrictions to help slow the spread of COVID-19.

Visit the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry program webpage for more information.

Victorian TAFEs and Registered Training Organisations are offering free, short, accredited training to help customer-facing employees identify and manage the ongoing risk of Coronavirus (COVID-19) infections. The course will support businesses to reopen safely and ensure their customers and workforce are protected, as Victoria emerges from the pandemic. The course is not mandatory for businesses to reopen; however, employers are encouraged to release their staff for the training.

This free training combines online learning and workplace-based assessment and involves up to 25 contact hours.

Who is this training for?

This training is for customer-facing employees across the retail, hospitality, and transport and logistics sectors, including:

• retail outlets
• supermarkets
• cafes and restaurant
• pubs, clubs and hotels
• food delivery
• parcel delivery

Box Hill Institute is a registered provider of the training, visit Box Hill Institute's National Infection Control Fund webpage to register your interest.

Visit Infection Control Training webpage on Victorian Skills Gateway for further information.

The Eastern Metropolitan Partnership is running a survey on the Engage Victoria website and it is a great opportunity to provide your next instalment of feedback on how your business is going in the current environment.

The results of this survey will be used by the Eastern Metropolitan Partnership in developing independent advice to the Victorian government on regional business needs.

To complete the survey and view more information bout the Eastern Metropolitan Partnership, visit the webpage.