What has and is happening...

Erin Robertson • October 17, 2022

COVID downgraded but not gone

National Cabinet agreed to end the mandatory isolation requirements for COVID-19 effective from 14 October 2022. Each state and territory has, or will, implement the end of the isolation rules.


The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, the payment to workers who have lost income they needed to self isolate or care for someone with COVID-19, also end on 14 October. The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment was extended beyond its 30 June end date but restricting the number of times claims can be made in a 6 month period. 


While the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment will end, National Cabinet agreed to continue targeted financial support for casual workers, on the same basis as the disaster payment, for workers in aged care, disability care, aboriginal healthcare and hospital care sectors. Final details of this new payment are yet to be released.



  **Since Publishing this article, the State Governments have implemented their changes.**

1 October minimum wage increase

Minimum wages in 10 awards in the aviation, tourism and hospitality sectors increased from 1 October 2022. The increase happens from the first full pay period on or after 1 October 2022. See the Fair Work Ombudsman for more details. 

Director ID number deadline looming

If you are a Director of a company or registered foreign company and have not applied for your Director ID Number, the deadline is 30 November 2022. Don’t leave it until the last minute!

ATO contacts ‘at risk’ professional services firms

New guidelines for professional services firms - lawyers, architects, medical practitioners etc., came into effect on 1 July 2022. The guidance takes a strong stance on structures designed to divert income in a way that results in principal practitioners receiving relatively small amounts of income personally for their work and reducing their taxable income. The ATO is now contacting professionals who they believe might be at risk. Any structural changes that need to be made to reduce risk, should be completed by the end of the 2022-23 financial year. Where the ATO deems that income has been diverted inappropriately to create a tax benefit, they will remove that benefit and significant penalties may apply. 


February 16, 2026
When clients sell a long-held family home, they may be able to channel part of the proceeds into superannuation by using the downsizer contribution rules.
February 16, 2026
As a business owner or investor, time is always tight...
February 16, 2026
Electric vehicles (EVs) are no longer a niche choice...
February 10, 2026
For many Australians, a holiday home does double duty...
By Erin Robertson December 4, 2025
For years, businesses have been moving away from cash – and for good reason.
By Erin Robertson December 3, 2025
The ATO’s rules on self-education expenses are strict, and the line between “deductible” and “non-deductible” can be thin. Getting it right could mean thousands back in your pocket; getting it wrong could mean an ATO adjustment, plus interest and penalties.
By Erin Robertson December 2, 2025
Running, or deciding to set up a self-managed super fund (SMSF) gives you control, but it also brings legal responsibilities.
By Erin Robertson December 1, 2025
If you run a business, you already know the juggling act that comes with managing the payroll process — paying staff on time, managing cash flow, and staying compliant.
By Erin Robertson November 11, 2025
Many businesses hold critical data that poses significant risk to both businesses and their customers if the data they hold is not safeguarded from cybersecurity threats.
By Erin Robertson November 11, 2025
A new Bill before Parliament – the Treasury Laws Amendment (Strengthening Financial Systems and Other Measures) Bill 2025 – proposes several key changes that could affect small businesses, listed companies, and the not-for-profit sector.
Show More