COVID Safe Work Plan for Workplace

The Victorian Government's Creating a COVID Safe Workplace webpage has information about employer obligations, your COVID Safe Plan (including High Risk COVID Safe Plans) and fact sheets. 

The Victorian Government QR Code Service

The Victorian Government QR Code Service is free for all Victorian businesses and venues. These records help contact tracers in the event a positive case of coronavirus (COVID-19) is identified.

Safe Work Australia

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

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

WorkSafe Victoria

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

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. 

WorkSafe have a free OHS Essentials COVID campaign which provides free, confidential and personalised safety advice to small and medium businesses and to assist employers with their COVID-19 obligations. 

Business.vic.gov.au (Victorian Government)

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

Business.gov.au (Federal Government)

The Federal Government’s coronavirus web portal includes information about support for sole traders, employers, and companies. In addition, it contains information on relief for commercial tenants, supporting apprentices and trainees, increased and accelerated income support, and much more. 

Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI)

VCCI’s Coronavirus resources for business webpage contains numerous resources, including information about workplace support, health, safety and wellbeing, and financial support. 

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). In addition, the VSBC offers a mediation service for commercial tenants and landlords, supporting fair tenancy negotiations. The VSBC website has information regarding the process for tenants and landlords, a tenant letter to use in request for rent relief and FAQ’s about the extended scheme.

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. Their dedicated COVID-19 updates page has the latest information for retailers including state restrictions. 

Department of Education, Skills and Employment (DESE)

The DESE's dedicated COVID-19 webpage 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.

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. The My Business Health Portal has 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. 

Whitehorse Recovery Grants Package: Business

The Whitehorse Recovery Grants Package: Business provides support to the local Small to Medium Enterprises.

Three funding streams were available in the first round, all having an overarching focus on; business adaption, innovation, and resilience.

Applications for Round 1 closed on 22 July 2020, with Round 2 open Monday 8 February and close at 5pm on Friday 19 February. To keep updated on Round 2 dates, follow Whitehorse Business on Facebook or subscribe to our newsletter. 

Whitehorse City Council's Coronavirus Relief and Support Package

Whitehorse City Council has committed to an immediate relief and support package worth $2 million, and work is underway to develop a further recovery and stimulus package worth up to $2.5 million.

This commitment includes providing support to local businesses. Council acknowledges that many business have experienced a severe impact, and that some businesses have been affected since January 2020. Visit Whitehorse City Council's website for more information.  

Grant Finder

Grant Finder provides a comprehensive list of grant and funding opportunities available for local businesses, community groups, not-for-profits and individuals. 

Business Resilience Package

The Victorian Government is investing $3 billion to help businesses impacted by ongoing restrictions and prepare for COVID Normal business.

The Business Resilience Package has a range of information regarding financial support for Business Support, Business Adaptation and waivers and deferrals. 

Business.gov.au (Federal Government)

The Federal Government’s Coronavirus Information and Support for Business web portal includes information about support for sole traders, support available for employers, support available for companies. 

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

State Revenue Office Victoria

The State Revenue Office Victoria has a dedicated page related to Coronavirus relief including Land Tax Relief, Payroll tax waived for eligible businesses and Liquor licence fees waived. 

Australian Taxation Office

The Australian Taxation Office have put together a dedicated section on their website of measures and tailored support during COVID-19 which includes information for Businesses and employers, individuals and employees and tax professionals. 

Whitehorse City Council Business Mentoring and Events

Whitehorse City Council offers free mentoring vouchers to access the Small Business Mentoring Service. Valued at $100, the voucher will provide access to a one-on-one mentoring session (up to 90 minutes), at a time and date suitable to you. Visit the Small Business Mentoring Page to find out more. 

Details of upcoming business workshops and events can be found on the What's On section of this website. 

Business Recovery and Resilience Program

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. 

Upskill My Business

The Victorian Government’s Upskill My Business program has free online courses including a range of topics to assist in building your and your employees skill set and knowledge. 

Victorian Skills Gateway - Infection Control Training

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 ensure their customers and workforce are protected, as Victoria emerges from the coronavirus (COVID-19) situation.

Visit the Infection Control Training webpage to view a list of providers and industries the training is suited to. 

Whitehorse Supporting Local Map

The Whitehorse Supporting Local Map is a promotional tool for businesses to display their current offerings to the local Whitehorse community. 

This map uses listings already on Google Maps, and displays extra information provided by the businesses about current offers, changed arrangements or opening hours. 

Businesses located in Whitehorse are invited to submit relevant information to be added to the map.

Submit your details now using the online form or view the map via Whitehorse City Council's website. 

Go Local First

The 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. Business can get involved with the campaign and nominate to be a local case study.

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. 

Mental Health in Business

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

Partners in Wellbeing hotline helpline provides business owners under stress with free access to business advisers and financial counsellors. The service is available from 9am - 10pm weekdays and 9am – 5pm on weekends. 

Mental health resources are available in a range of languages. 

Heads Up Website

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