• More than 90,000 businesses will be automatically paid a Business Costs Assistance Program Round Three grant of $2,800.
• An additional $54 million will be added to the Small Business COVID Hardship Fund announced last week.
• Eligible businesses that do not qualify for Victorian Government support programs because they are not registered for GST will be eligible for the Commonwealth's COVID-19 Disaster Payment.

Additionally, Victorian businesses that have experienced a loss in turnover of more than 30% during the pandemic are now guaranteed to receive rent reductions through the Commercial Tenancy Relief Scheme, while separate support will be provided to landlords.

For further information on these programs and other funding streams, visit the Business Victoria website.

Updated information on the current lockdown restrictions for businesses and industry is now available on the Coronavirus website. The Authorised Provider and Authorised Worker List is also available.

Canberra dental practice fined $266,400 for alleged unlawful supply of dental implants and bone grafts

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has issued 20 infringement notices to a Canberra-based dental practice totaling $266,400.

The alleged breaches of the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 (the Act) include the importation and supply of dental implants (medical devices) and bone grafts (biologicals) that are not approved for use in Australia.

Under the Act, therapeutic goods must be entered into the ARTG before they can be lawfully supplied in Australia (unless a specific exemption, approval or authority applies).

The advice to patients contains information about the implanted products and the ongoing management of their implants.

If you suspect non-compliance in relation to therapeutic goods, you can report illegal or questionable practices online to the TGA.

This week is Australian Dental Health Week.

From Monday 2 August to Sunday 8 August, our focus is to increase awareness about the importance of oral health for every Australian and to support our members in enhancing their business and client relationships.

The ADIA supports the work of the Australian Dental Association and its goal to encourage the improvement of the oral and general health of the public, to promote the ethics, art and science of dentistry and to support members to provide safe, high quality professional oral care.

• Brushing and flossing
• Finding a dentist
• Sugar and nutrition
• Oral health resources (including in-clinic and social media marketing assets)
• Audio resources (including new ADA podcast 'Watch Your Mouth', which aims to Australians with oral health advice. The first series discusses oral health care for infants and young children).

#dentalhealthweek

Did You Know....

1. 68% of Australian adults... Usually visit their dentist when they have a problem?

How do you encourage your clients to make their dental health a priority?

2. 1 in 5 Australian adults.... Do not brush twice daily

ADA has created an Australian Dental Health Week event handbook and PowerPoint to help promote your oral health message to the wider community such as schools and your local media outlet.
Download the files here

3. Only 1/3 of Australian adults... Have a regular dentist

Building loyalty with your clients can be a full time job. The Smile for Life Australian Dental Health Week (DHW) support pack features DHW bunting, posters and colour-in sheets, pull-up banners or wear a Keep your Smile for Life t-shirt to start the conversation about the topic of oral health, and to stand out as a clinician who captures the attention of the kids.

4. Only 1 in 4 Australian adults.... Floss or clean between their teeth at least once each day.

Financial support packages for businesses in New South Wales and Victoria have been expanded to assist wage earners and to support entities during the extended lockdowns and ongoing COVID-19 restrictions.

NEW SOUTH WALES

In NSW, the JobSaver threshold was raised from $50 million to $250 million yesterday, making more businesses eligible for assistance.

The maximum weekly available payment was also increased from $10,000 to $100,000.

The decision to expand the support packages for businesses came with the news that the NSW Government has extended its lockdown orders for Greater Sydney until midnight 28 August 2021.

Affected NSW residents and businesses must remain within a 10km radius of their Local Government Area, in line with current exercise rules.

Click here for more information on restrictions.

Click here to apply for the grants.

VICTORIA

In Victoria, a jointly funded package from the Victorian and Commonwealth Governments will deliver an additional $400 million in support to thousands of businesses.

This includes a $156 million Business Continuity Fund, a new $85 million Small Business COVID Hardship Fund and support for commercial tenants and landlords.

Click here for details of individual programs in the Victorian package.

Read the Prime Minister's media release.

• The minimum payment will be $1,500 per week
• The maximum payment will be $10,000 per week.

Eligibility

To be eligible for JobSaver you need:

• have an active Australian Business Number (ABN)
• demonstrate your business was operating in NSW on 1 June 2021
• have had a national aggregated annual turnover between $75,000 and $50 million (inclusive) for the year ended 30 June 2020
• have experienced a decline in turnover of 30% or more due to the Public Health Order over a minimum 2-week period within the Greater Sydney lockdown (commenced 26 June) compared to the same period in 2019
• for employing businesses, maintain your employee headcount on 13 July 2021 while you continue to receive JobSaver payments
• for non-employing businesses, such as sole traders, show that the business is the primary income source for the associated person. If you have more than one non-employing business, you can only claim payments for one business.

Evidence to support eligibility

If your business does not meet all the eligibility criteria, you may be able to apply for JobSaver if you can provide evidence to support the alternative circumstances outlined in the guidelines.

If you can't complete your application online, call Service NSW on 13 77 88.

Applications close 11:59pm on 18 October 2021.