30 April 2020
Your latest regular update. We'll continue to bring you the information you need, as it's available. Today we will cover an extension to the JobKeeper payment, our continued push for stimulus measures, how the relaxation of restrictions will benefit our industry, busting some WHS myths, why you should download the COVIDSafe app and a new cleaning guide from WHSQ...
This COVID-19 member update is unlocked and free to all in the interests of the building and construction industry. Did you know members have exclusive access to information and our team of experts who are on hand to assist in a range of ways? Need more specific COVID-19 advice relating to contracts, WHS, employment conditions or the relief measures? Members can contact us or learn how to join so you can speak with our experts and get free advice.
*Due to the changing nature of COVID-19, this information may no longer be correct. Please check state and federal government information for up-to-date guidance.
JobKeeper enrolment extended
The ATO has announced an extension for employers to enrol for the JobKeeper payment and pay their employees, from 30 April 2020 until 31 May 2020. This allows employers more time to consider their circumstances, pay staff and still be eligible for those payments.
Employers now have until 8 May to ensure all eligible employees have been paid $1500 (before tax) for JobKeeper fortnights 1 and 2 (30March – 12April, 13April – 26April). If you don’t pay employees by 8 May, you won’t be able to claim JobKeeper for the first two fortnights.
Contact Master Builders Workplace Relations team for specific advice on your business and JobKeeper payment eligibility.
Stimulus to combat COVID-19 fall out
We have been lobbying the Australian and Queensland Governments to consider stimulus measures that go beyond the current relief packages.
Everyone in the industry knows we face a looming crisis that will impact Queensland’s building industry far beyond the current impacts of COVID-19.
We are calling for swift and decisive action from the Queensland Government.
We want to safeguard thousands of jobs and small businesses and our targeted campaign calls on the Queensland Government to supercharge and fast-track their stimulus measures even further.
Let’s get creative with a new look grant to boost new home builds, a program to fund home renovations to make homes more energy efficient and bring forward public spending on buildings, like schools and hospitals.
We understand the enormity of the challenge the government faces, but these stimulus measures cannot wait.
Lobbying resources for members
In addition to our media activities, radio campaign and social media posts, we've prepared a resource pack for members to use to help spread the word.
The pack includes a flyer, social media tile and digital banner.
Share the details far and wide
- Email a copy of the flyer to your local and state member of parliament, the Premier or Mick de Brenni MP.
- Share with your clients, customers and your employees.
- Add our digital banner to your emails and newsletters with a link to our Lobbying campaign page.
- Share our Facebook, LinkedIn or Twitter posts to your own followers.
Let's tell everyone why it's so important to keep building going.
Relaxation of stay-at-home restrictions to benefit building
The announcement of the easing of some stay-at-home restrictions in Queensland from Saturday, 2 May spells good news for building and construction.
While we have remained essential and open for business, there has been uncertainty and hesitation amongst homeowners when it comes to continuing with building work.
This latest relaxation should reassure homeowners that they can:
- Allow builders and tradies into their home to perform building, renovation and repair work
- Travel for the purposes of selecting products - for example, tiles or carpet selection for a new home or renovation
- Travel to visit a display home for the purpose of building a new home or renovation.
Display homes open
Master Builders display villages remain open, with homes open for inspection by appointment only, in line with the real estate inspection rules.
Easing of the stay-at-home restrictions should give homeowners who are looking to build the confidence that they are allowed to travel for the purpose of visiting a display home. For those who have already started, they can now have the confidence to travel for product selection purposes.
We’ll be pushing for further relaxation of gathering rules such as those regarding home inspections, particularly as we can demonstrate, as an industry, how we can keep staff and visitors safe.
COVIDSafe app
The Australian and Queensland Governments have both reported that the new COVIDSafe app is an important step towards lifting the current restrictions, which will translate into opening more of the economy for business.
Downloading the app is voluntary, but we hope that the more people within our community that do so, the sooner our industry will be back and operating, and the safer and more assured the community will feel to proceed with building work.
Beware myths, rumours and fake news!
In these crazy times, when everyone is trying to learn new ways of working and trying to protect their businesses, we read or hear things that are untrue, inaccurate or just not sensible. Sometimes without thinking, we pass on that information to others, and before we know it, a rumour has started.
Myths, rumours and fake news create unnecessary stress and take up valuable time trying to work out what is true and what is not. And let's face it, we've all got better things to be doing right now.
If you hear or read something that sounds unreasonable, confusing or just not right, let us doing the worrying and investigation for you. Chances are, we've probably been asked the question already.
We can get to the core of the issue and assist you in understanding what the correct information is. We've also got a series of FAQs, resources and helpful links that cover common questions and scenarios.
Busting myths
Myth: We recently took a call from a member asking if a SWMS was needed for the bottle of hand sanitiser he now carries in his pocket (because he's following the hygiene rules). He was warned by a friend, who heard from a builder on another site in the next suburb, that he needed one, and he could get fined if he didn’t.
Mythbuster: We promptly advised that this was not true and a SWMS was not needed for his pocket bottle of hand sanitiser.
Guide to keeping workplaces safe, clean and healthy
WHSQ has produced a guide for employers and workers that will assist in keeping workplaces safe, clean and healthy during the COVID-19 pandemic.
You can find other common safety, social distancing and hygiene FAQs on our website. The Department of Housing & Public Works have also produced a guide for the building and construction industry.
Resources
We're trying to make it easier with loads of resources available:
- Health Disclosure Form (clients) - use this when visiting clients and private premises
- Health Disclosure Form (visitors) - use this form for visitors coming to your site or business
- Notice to supply to clients - use this to confirm for clients you are authorised to attend
- COVID-19 site sign - use this to educate your workers on the guidelines
- COVID-19 site sign (public) - use this to reinforce to the public and workers on the measures you are taking
- Keep your distance checklist - use this to ensure you are following all the recommendations
- COVID-19 entry authorisation sign – use this for sites without constant supervision of visitors entering at the gate. Visitors can use this as a health self-assessment
- Digital banner (PDF or JPEG) – use this banner in your advertising and newsletters to demonstrate to customers and stakeholders that you are following the COVID-19 rules.
We're here for you
We've got the information you need on:
- Contractual information for site shutdown or program delays
- How to deal contractually with a product delay
- Safety & hygiene practices
- Employment conditions
- Common employment FAQs
- Relief and stimulus packages
- Mental health and well-being
Help and advice
As usual, our staff are here to help. Whether you've got a question about protecting your business contractually, an employment or a health and safety question, our specialists are here and available to talk you through the options - get in touch.
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