Posted in CEO Updates

ADX Sydney 2022

The Australian Dental Industry Association wishes to advise members and exhibitors that the upcoming ADX Sydney 2022 at the International Convention Centre (ICC) at this point in time is still planning to proceed on 17-19 March 2022.

At this stage, the NSW Government does not envisage implementing restrictions to prevent large events from proceeding. The current medical advice from NSW Health indicates that we've reached peak infection rates and should see case numbers dropping over the next few weeks.

The ADIA will implement the same robust COVID-safe strategy we had at ADX Sydney 2020 and ADX Melbourne 2021, including the use of face masks, sanitisation stations, and controlled entry and exit points.

There are currently 180 exhibitors confirmed, with a waitlist of 56 organisations wanting to exhibit at ADX and only 24 booths remaining for sale.

Delegate confidence in the community remains high. At the end of this week in 2018, we had 1406 registrations. In 2020 we had 1605 registrations. And as of today, we have 2720, almost double the registrations for the same time in 2018.

Over the next three weeks, we will monitor the situation closely and continue to update members and exhibitors on a weekly basis to advise of any changes leading up to the event.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

HAVE YOUR SAY! To ensure we are continuing to provide services that are most valuable to you, please complete this quick survey: https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/AustralianStandards Your feedback is greatly appreciated.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Latest COVID-19 Business News

Pandemic Leave

The Fair Work Commission amended 99 modern awards to include unpaid 'pandemic leave' and allow the flexibility to take double the amount of annual leave at half pay. The operation of the unpaid pandemic leave provision of Schedule X - Additional measures during the COVID-19 pandemic has been extended in 73 awards until 30 June 2022.

Read more here.

Rent Relief Extended for Small Businesses

The NSW Government is extending rent relief regulation until March 13 for small business owners impacted by COVID-19.

Full details and how to apply: https://www.smallbusiness.nsw.gov.au/get-help/covid-19/covid-19-grants-and-support-small-business

The Department of Industry, Science, Energy and Resources has launched two new tools designed to maximise and improve business systems and security.

A new Digital Readiness Assessment Tool can assist business owners to enhance the performance of their online channels, improve productivity and drive growth.

The assessment tool is designed to help business owners understand how prepared they are to handle the online challenges of their industry and what they can do to improve their 'digital maturity'.

The free assessment measures the digital maturity and readiness of your business against seven key pillars:

• Customer - how you interact with your customers and the digital channels you use.
• Operations - what systems and administrative technology you use.
• Data and analytics - how you collect and use data for decision making.
• Technology - what hardware, software, devices and platforms you use.
• Risk, privacy and cybersecurity - how you keep data safe and what policies and procedures you have in place.
• Digital capability and culture - what digital skills you and your team have.
• Digital strategy and innovation - your planning, investment and involvement in technology.

Participants receive a report outlining the capabilities of their business, advice on ways to improve, and government support opportunities.

The free assessment takes 10 minutes to complete.

While you're working on streamlining procedures, you may want to take a look at your online business protection.

The Cyber Security Assessment Tool can help identify your business' cyber security strengths and areas where your business can improve.

For South Australian business owners, Business SA has launched a business advice, growth and support service to assist businesses to transition out of COVID restrictions and back to full service.

Specialist consultants have been employed to work with S.A. businesses to provide solutions and  expert advice across a broad range of areas fundamental to sustainable growth.

The service is designed to support any industry sector, at any stage of business.

With New South Wales achieving its stage one roadmap out of lockdown goal of 70% double vaccination rate, all local government areas within the state are no longer considered local government areas of concern and businesses began to open this week.

Victoria remains in lockdown but will also soon reach its nominated roadmap easing thresholds of 70% to 80% fully vaccinated with the caveat of "subject to health system capacity”.

What does this mean for New South Wales?

Proof of vaccination signage and guidance

From Monday 11 October 2021 all non-essential businesses must request people aged 16 and over to show proof of vaccination or a medical exemption when visiting their premises.

Business can use these guides and resources to ensure you follow the rules:

• proof of vaccination or medical exemption posters
• proof of vaccination advice for businesses
• COVID-19 vaccination guidance for your business
• COVID-19 vaccination compliance and obligations.

Registered COVID-Safe businesses can also download new QR code check-in posters updated with proof of vaccination details.

Am I responsible for ensuring only vaccinated staff, customers and visitors attend my business?

Businesses (but not businesses that are critical retail premises) are responsible for taking reasonable steps to prevent unvaccinated people entering their premises.

For example, you could:

• ensure posters outlining vaccination requirements and Service NSW QR codes are clearly visible
• train staff on ways to check proof of COVID-19 vaccination status (or a valid exemption) and what to do if someone refuses to be checked or is not vaccinated
• remind customers of vaccination requirements in marketing materials and when taking and confirming bookings
•  consider ways for non-vaccinated customers to purchase products online
• checking vaccination status upon entry where practical.

Can businesses force an unvaccinated customer to leave the premises?

There are public health orders in place that require a person to be vaccinated in certain indoor areas and public outdoor gatherings in NSW, unless an exemption applies.

If the occupier of the premises believes that a person does not have a valid exemption, the occupier can ask the person to leave the premises. If the person refuses, the occupier of the premises can notify the police.

The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry's (ACCI) Workplace Relations and WH&S team have prepared a comprehensive guide for employers on COVID-19 Vaccinations and the Workplace.

The Guide is a working document that will be updated with new editions and new information as legal determinations are made.

Download the guide by clicking this link.

Socially, what does this mean for me?

From today, eased restrictions will allow those who are fully vaccinated to have:

• 10-visitor limit in your home
• access to gyms, indoor recreation and sporting facilities
•  group bookings of up to 20 people in hospitality settings.
•  All premises will operate at 1 person per 4sqm indoors and 1 person per 2sqm outdoors.

The new freedoms for vaccinated people are partitioned according to single vaccination dose and second vaccination dose.

More information on the rules for NSW residents now the state has reached 70% vaccination, can be found by clicking this link.

More information on the rules for NSW residents when the state reaches 80% vaccination, can be found by clicking this link.

As part of our regular stakeholder engagement this month I met with the following associations to catch up on their activities and to discuss upcoming events, such as the Refresh Masterclass Workshop on Tuesday 9 November 2021 and ADX Sydney 17-19 March 2022.

• Nick Williams (Chair) and Mel Pitto - NZDIG (NZ Dental Industry Group - part of MTANZ)
• Bill Suen (CEO) - Dental Hygienists’ Association of Australia
• Di Woolcock (Executive Officer) - Australian Dental Prosthetists Association (ADPA)
• Kerstin Baas (CEO) & Miranda Shoppee - Australian Society of Orthodontists (ASO)
• David Hallett (CEO) - Australian Dental Association Western Australia Branch (ADAWA)
• Lisa Rusten (CEO) and Madonna McManus - Australian Dental Association Queensland Branch (ADAQ)

On behalf of ADIA I also participated in group online discussions with:

• Hon. Anthony Albanese MP
• The Hon Stuart Robert MP, Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business
• Jeremy Ungar - Israeli Trade Association
• Mike Freelander MP (Chair) - Parliamentary Friends of Dentistry

The Exhibition and Event Association of Australia (EEAA), of which ADIA is a member, held its AGM this month. At this meeting I was appointed a Director. I attended the subsequent EEAA Board meeting.

I will continue to update you on the advocacy work ADIA undertakes on behalf of its members' interests.

Employers to receive wage subsidies

In other news, the Federal Government has pledged to pay half the wages of 100,000 apprentices for the next 12 months.

As part of a $1.2 billion commitment to upskill and reskill Australians into jobs, the Government will pay 50% of the wages of 100,000 new apprentices and trainees in their first year.

The Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy (BAC) is a 50% wage subsidy that is available to all Australian local business.

The BAC wage subsidy can apply to new apprentices and trainees signed up before (today) 30 September 2021.

The BAC wage subsidy is capped at $7,000 per quarter ($28,000 for the year) and is available until the 100,000 limit is reached.

“ Apprenticeships are an important pathway to get young people into jobs and to ensure there is a skills pipeline to meet the future needs of employers,” said Prime Minister Scott Morrison, announcing the package.

To be eligible for payments under the Program, your employee must be:

• an Australian citizen; or
• a foreign national with permanent residency status; or
• a New Zealand passport holder who has resided in Australia for at least six months

Other Financial Incentives

As well as the $28000 wage subsidy the State and Federal Governments provide a number of incentives to trainees and employers.