May 2020 Edition

For details of current relief and assistance packages available, see:

Australian Government - Economic response to the Coronavirus
Queensland Government  COVID-19 economic relief package

Recent announcements:

• Join the #SupportSmall movement in May 
• Support for commercial tenants on Business Queensland website. A page for commercial landlords is also available. 
• Queensland back to school steps announced 
• Queensland’s harvest can go ahead safely during COVID-19 — Advice for growers and seasonal workers for the upcoming harvest. Visit Business Queensland’s managing agriculture workplace health and safety page for more or general information for other sectors.
• Chief Health Officer updates non-essential business activity and undertaking closure direction (No. 8). A seasonal workers health management plans direction has also been released. You can submit questions or request an exemption about any public health directions online.
• COVID-19 business safety posters and resources ­
• Department of Transport and Main Roads changes for cancelling vehicle registration — Some conditions have been temporarily changed and the cancellation fee has been waived. Other changes in place include a simplified process to re-register vehicles that were cancelled during COVID-19.
• Alternative tests for JobKeeper payments from Australian Tax Commissioner 
• Queensland Training Award nominations extended as ceremonies go virtual — Nominations now close Tuesday 30 June 2020. 

The following Transport and Logistics projects have updates:

MARITIME - Have your say

• MAR Maritime Operations (General Purpose Hand Near Coastal) - draft materials available for comment, closing Monday 25 May 2020.
• MAR Dynamic Positioning - draft materials available for comment, closing Monday 25 May 2020.

RAIL - Have your say

• TLI Rail Infrastructure Skills - draft materials available for comment, closing Friday 15 May 2020.

AVIATION - Have your say

• AVI Industry Skills - draft materials available for comment, closing Thursday 28 May 2020.

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment held co-design consultations on how to improve the VET system and careers sector late last year.

They have released their summary reports for the consultations on:

• National Skills Commission
• Skills Organisations
• National Careers Institute

The reports will inform the future design and improvements to the National Skills Commission, Skills Organisations, and the ongoing role of the National Careers Institute.

TAFE Queensland and CQUniversity are offering FREE online courses in a range of micro-credentials and skill sets. The isolearn courses are designed for individuals who are looking to upskill and add to their resume.

Some of the micro-credential courses include:

• Digital Literacy Essentials
• Digital Data Essentials
• Data Security Essentials

Skill Set courses are offered to Queensland residents who are a job seeker or worker impacted by COVID-19. Some of the options include:

• Basic Customer Engagement Skill Set
• Mentoring and Supervision
• Farm Labourer Skill Set
• Transport (Driver) Skill Set

Click here for more information.

Round 2 applications are now open for the Commonwealth Scholarships for Young Australians Program.

Around 400 young Australians or ex-ADF personnel will be supported to participate in VET courses through the introduction of the Commonwealth Scholarships Program for Young Australians. The participation in VET training will lead into occupations in identified areas of growth and skills needs, listed as in demand through consultation with regional representatives.

Applications close 24 July 2020.

Click here for more information

Click here to read the full May newsletter