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As the new year begins, it is a great time to think about refreshing passwords and protecting yourself online. We've read about the recent data breaches. We're sure you have too. Multi-factor authentication (2FA) is a way to keep your accounts safe. If you've used 2FA before, then you know how it works: You need to enter an additional code that's sent via text or email when logging in from an unfamiliar device or location — or even if someone tries to log in on your account from another browser. You'll see this feature offered by most of the big players in tech, including Apple, Google and Facebook (to name just a few). Some companies also offer tools that allow you to generate backup codes that you can use if your phone runs out of battery power or gets stolen. To see if your details have been exposed: Visit Have I been Pwned (https://haveibeenpwned.com) Type in all your email addresses (you can even check your family or team members) You will be surprised to find most have their passwords already compromised. Cybercriminals have more than 15 billion stolen credentials to choose from. If they choose yours, they could take over your bank accounts, health care records, company secrets, and more. Multi-factor authentication is essential, making stealing your information harder for the average criminal. The harder your data is to access, the more likely thieves will choose someone else to target. How to switch on Multi-factor authentication (MFA) for significant applications: Facebook Gmail Microsoft Instagram Tiktok LinkedIn Twitter

eInvoicing is the automatic exchange of invoices between accounting software, but unlike emailing and sending a pdf invoice, an eInvoice is sent directly to a buyer's accounting system. It is quicker, easier and more secure. Greater security We hear horror stories of people paying thousands of dollars to the wrong bank accounts of non-traceable recipients. Email scammers send millions of emails out that cannot be tracked, and they are hoping that some people will fall into the trap and click on the link or respond to the fake request to make a payment. They primarily depend on the ability to send an untraceable email. eInvoicing is much more secure requires the providers to be authorised and certified by the PEPPOL Network and the government. Senders access the PEPPOL network via their accounting software (e.g. Xero). That means all the messages are traceable. It disrupts the business model of the scammers, and the sender cannot hide, which means they will usually get caught. If you cannot find the sender, you can make the software provider responsible for this. Start using the eInvoice and demand your suppliers to send the eInvoice. Setting up eInvoice in Xero How eInvoicing works It works using access points, a connectivity service to the PEPPOL network. The PEPPOL is an international standard that allows businesses to speak to each other. Senders access the PEPPOL network via their accounting software.

Last Friday, I attended the ITECA's VET Business Summit with over 125 delegates. The program's focus was to provide information and prepare for business opportunities in the training sector. If you couldn't attend, here is a snapshot of how I found it on the ground: The first thing is Data. The Data is key to any business, and the Data is telling that Victoria is refocusing on reskilling and upskilling. Victoria's investment in vocational education has risen while the funding for independent providers has declined from 30.1% in 2017 to 22.8% in 2020. At the same time, students showed a better overall satisfaction with private Registered Training Providers than the public TAFE. ASQA Regulation: ASQA's focus is towards Self Assurance and engaging in continuous improvement. ASQA does not want to force or tell the industry how to comply but want to teach how to comply. It encourages the reporting of the providers that are compromising the quality & delivery of training to create a competitive advantage over the quality providers. Employers want the training providers to develop skills in the workforce for sustainable and balanced growth. Compared to the higher education provider, the work-based training by RTOs produces the best skills in the workforce. The training providers need to sell the courses that fit the workforce's life purpose. We need to understand how the workforce finds fulfilment. Finally, the recently established Victorian Skills Authority is working with employers, RTOs, and communities to get the students skilled and employed. So, all in all, it was an excellent conference for me. There was a lot of value in the sessions to take away, and I hope you enjoyed the snapshot.

JobKeeper 1 stops as of 27th September and JobKeeper 2 starts. To be eligible for JobKeeper 2 wage subsidy, your business must have suffered a 30% decline in the actual GST turnover for the quarter ended 30th September 2020 compared to the quarter ended 30th September 2019. Alternative tests are available for the calculation of the decline in turnover for businesses That started after the comparison period; or That was subject to acquisition or disposal; or That were High Growth Businesses. Employee eligibility provisions remain in place, including were they an employee as of 1st March or 1st July. You would receive the: Tier 1 payment of $1,200 per fortnight for Eligible Business Participant and employees if they worked for 80 hours or more in the month of February or June. If not, you will receive the Tier 2 payment of $750 per fortnight. These rates are applicable until the end of December. You need to top up the wages for eligible employees accordingly. You also need to submit the continuing eligibility information to the Tax Office from 1st October. The monthly declarations remain in place. If you like RTO Accounts to review your situation, please book a discovery call.

The JobMaker Hiring Credit scheme is an incentive for you to employ additional young job seekers aged 16–35. You can claim payments for each eligible additional employee for up to 12 months from their start date between 7th October 2020 and 6th October 2021. Benefit Amount Employee aged 16-29 Years – $200/week (i.e. $10,400 for one year for each eligible employee) Employee aged 30-35 years - $100/ week (i.e. $5,200 for one year for each eligible employee) It is a significant amount to contribute to a new hire. Employer Eligibility: Your Activity Statement and Income Tax Lodgement should be up to date. You must be reporting payroll through Single Touch Payroll (STP) The accuracy of the headcount and payroll You cannot claim JobMaker if you are claiming JobKeeper for the same period. Employee Eligibility: Other than the age and start period that is mentioned above: The employee must works for at least 20 hours a week. The employee must have received Parenting Payment, Youth Allowance or JobSeeker payment for at least 4 of the 12 weeks pre-commencement of employment. Is not your close associate or relative How to claim the benefit Register with the ATO via online services Nominate additional eligible employees through STP Make a claim every three months. Please contact me if you wish to discuss further.

The JobTrainer Fund declared in the October federal budget has two parts. Under the first part businesses employing apprentice or trainee will receive a 50% wage subsidy up to $7,000 per quarter. Under the second part, the JobTrainer fund will provide additional training places for job seekers and young people that are free or low fee in the areas of identified skills needs that are agreed by the National Skills Commission and state governments. So what are the opportunities? Each state/territory government will administer the initiative. Countrywide there will be around 340,700 training places. In Australian Capital Territory - 5,700; New South Wales - 108,600; Northern Territory - 3,200; Queensland - 68,500; South Australia -23,500; Tasmania - 7,100; Victoria - 88,900; and Western Australia - 35,200. There are lots of places with government funding. The initiative will primarily support short courses for job seekers and school leavers get into new jobs. As a result of the COVID-19, the Jobs and skills required are going to change. You need to identify what these skills are and add these skills to your scope of registration. In the first instance, it is expected that training providers with existing government-funded contracts may be able to deliver JobTrainer programs; however, this may be expanded to include other RTOs.

You need to apply for the director ID if you are a company director or intend to be a company director. If you were a director: Before 1 November 2021, you have until 30 November to 2022 to apply If you become a director: Between 1 November 2021 to 4 April 2022 within 28 days of appointment From 5 April 2022 before the appointment Apply for the DIN via following link or click below: https://www.abrs.gov.au/director-identification-number/apply-director-identification-number

When you hire trainers and or assessors, you must check if they are employee or contractor. The wrong classification may attract penalty and charges. An employee works in your business while a subcontractor runs his/her own business. Having an ABN does not mean that a trainer/assessor can be a subcontractor. It would help if you considered the factors including: Basis of payment: If you pay trainer a set amount such as award rate, annual salary or an hourly rate for the time they work, they are employees. If you pay a trainer/assessor for delivering a particular unit, they are subcontractors. Equipment and tools: If your RTO is responsible for providing the equipment such as a computer and the devices to enable the trainer to deliver the course, the trainer is an employee. Whereas if the trainer is responsible for organising equipment and tools, the characteristics are of a subcontractor. Commercial Risk: The employee does not take the commercial risk and is legally not responsible for the training deficiencies. A subcontractor is liable for the shortcomings in training and assessment. Ability to subcontract: If unavailable, a subcontractor can pay and delegate the task to another trainer/assessor. If an employee is unavailable, the RTO organises the replacement staff. Control over the work: Subject to the terms of the contract, a subcontractor decides the training and assessment schedule. An employee follows the procedure and plan provided by the employer. Independence: A subcontractor trainer/assessor can work for several RTOs while an employee works exclusively for your RTO. These factors, taken together, determine whether a trainer/assessor is an employee or contractor for tax and super purposes. Also, If you delegate the task to another RTO entity, they are always subcontractor.

Are you providing a Fringe Benefit to yourself or your employees? In the absence of a completed Fringe Benefits Tax Return, the ATO has unlimited scope to audit your records for liabilities.