Last week saw the Federal Government announce JobKeeper 2.0 which will see the Government's main COVID-19 support program continue following significant lobbying by the Association on your behalf. The Association developed and submitted modelling on the future performance of our industry and this was critical in ensuring our governments were well informed of the impacts of their decisions.

As many would have seen through our regular media interviews and member updates, we know that JobKeeper is the key to other government measures such as the Mandatory Rental Code, IR relief and the continuation of bank relief for property owners. Our Open letter to the Prime Minister which was signed by the majority of the leading accommodation brands has now been viewed over 15,000 times. This open letter was an important signal to Government that JobKeeper needed to be continued to March 2021. Now that we have JobKeeper finalised, we will turn our advocacy efforts on these other measures to ensure they continue post September.

COVID-19 continues to bring unprecedented pressure to our families, industry and the economy. This is unfortunately being demonstrated in Victoria with the recent outbreak leading to a lock down of Melbourne and some regional areas of the State. With 25% of the country’s GDP now in lock down, cut off from the rest of the country, the Accommodation Association’s advocacy efforts have never been more important.

Our advocacy efforts have assisted in supporting the industry through COVID-19 and now we focus on rebuilding the resilience of our Sector. It is apparent that once we do emerge from COVID-19, the tourism industry will continue to be disrupted for many years and most markets will be in a hyper competitive state. To assist the industry in navigating this, the Accommodation Association’s Roadmap to Recovery focuses on two key themes: the retention and well-being of our workforce and the sustainable re-opening of our hotels.

Fair Work Australia also delivered the National Wage Increase . While the Fair Work Commission has recognised the significant hardship the COVID-19 pandemic has caused the Accommodation industry, it has still decided to increase the rate but has deferred the increase for employees covered by the Hospitality Industry (General) Award ( deferred until 1 February 2021) . Make sure you log on to our new member portal to download our overview to ensure you are compliant.

As always the team of the Accommodation Association is here to help and should you require assistance on any matter, please don't hesitate to contact us on 02 8666 9015 or mail@aaoa.com.au .

Regards, Dean Long
CEO - Accommodation Association
Member Services
Government Advocacy
COVID-19 Compliance Update

The Association has published updated advice for members on the about the relevant public health orders in your state.

COVID-19 Training Program

During this pandemic the Accommodation Association has developed partnerships with different training providers to suit our members.

Our newest partner Complete Hospitality Training has both online and in person training programs that you can access at discounted rates.

The training programs are aligned to the accredited training units released by Government. With Health Hygiene being a central consideration for customers, you need to ensure your employees understand the protocols needed to ensure safety for everyone. This program covers the important issues of:

  • infection prevention and control procedures
  • hand hygiene and care of hand
  • use of personal protective equipment
  • handling of waste
  • enforcing clean and contaminated zones
  • limitation of contamination
  • surface cleaning

During this pandemic ensuring your employees are trained is a critical part of your WHS responsibilities.

Accommodation sector Roadmap to Recovery

The Accommodation Association has worked closely with industry to develop a Roadmap to Recovery . The overarching principle of this Roadmap is the retention and well-being of the industry’s workforce and the sustainable opening of hotels, to ensure we emerge as a stronger and more competitive sector in the future.

As our members know, the industry has experienced revenue falls of -85% across the past 4 months and stimulation of future demand will only happen if governments lift current restrictions and business and consumer confidence returns. Until the industry is free to drive demand to stem the huge cash-flow losses, government support measures are crucial for short to medium term viability.

The Roadmap outlines the measures being undertaken by industry to ensure viability and has a very clear message for government – the extension of JobKeeper and HIGA measures until March 2021 are essential to retaining our workforce and critical to industry survival.

We have been active in communicating our message to Federal Treasury, the NCCC, the Tourism Minister and various State governments and in taking our case to the media.

Queensland People’s Long Weekend a goer

While you may not be able to get a show bag this year, you can start packing your travel bags with the People’s Long Weekend officially endorsed.

With many local shows around the state cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, many local councils have taken the opportunity to move their Show Holidays.

The Palaszczuk Government today passed legislation to make Friday August 14 a new public holiday for people living in Brisbane, Weipa, Rockhampton, Livingstone, Mackay, Gold Coast, Logan, Burdekin, Charters Towers, Cloncurry and Whitsunday (for the Bowen area only) council areas.

Click here for the full media release.
Economic and Fiscal Update 2020-2021

On Thursday, 26 July, the Federal Government provided a pre-budget Economic and Fiscal Update. .

The Treasurer advised that the Government had provided approximately $289 billion is fiscal and balance sheet support measures, the equivalent to around 14.6 per cent of 2019-20 GDP, to combat the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. This action, together with large declines in taxation receipts and increases in payments, has seen a major deterioration in the budget position, with estimated deficits of $85.8 billion in 2019-20 and $184.5 billion in 2020-21.

To support the economic recovery, the Government is extending and further targeting temporary economic measures to support sectors, regions and communities that continue to face challenges. 

The attached Member Alert - Economic & Fiscal Update 2020-21 provides a summary of the particular measures that support the hospitality sector. 
Workplace Relations
Legal
New Plain Language Awards

As a part of the 4 yearly review of modern awards, the Fair Work Commission has re-drafted a number of awards in plain language with the aim of making it easier for employers and employees to understand.

The plain language version of the Hospitality Industry (General) Award is now operative and available on the Association’s website .  The new version:
  • Uses plain language principles without altering the legal effect;
  • Provides more detailed explanations, notes and examples;
  • Contains tables and schedules expressing values in actual terms - for example, where allowances were expressed as percentages, the actual monetary amounts are now provided.

Although the provisions of the award have not substantially changed, it is recommended that employers reconfirm their understandings of the various provisions as it is possible the addition information and clarity may change the understanding of provisions.

The latest version also contains schedules that during the COVID-19 Pandemic provide temporary flexibility in the way and times that permanent employees may be engaged. The schedules also allow employers to request employees to take paid annual leave and allows employees to take unpaid pandemic leave if required to self-isolate.
Your legal question answered by Mullins Lawyers.

Member Question: With some international students returning to Australia in July, what does this mean for accommodation providers?

Mullins Reply: International students have a significant impact on the economy and their return will see major contributions towards kick-starting Australia’s national prosperity.

Under a pilot program, up to 350 international students are set to return to Canberra in July ahead of the second semester. This will see a boost to the social and economic life of the ACT, and would act as a trial for clearing a model for other Australian universities to adopt.

With the largest cohorts of international students usually in NSW and Victoria, these respective governments are also working closely with education providers to explore viable options for international students to start returning to those states.

As at 2019, international education generates an income of approximately $34.9 billion a year for Australia and supports more than 240,000 jobs across the country.

If more international students were to return by the time Australia and New Zealand implements a trans-Tasman bubble, allowing freedom of movement between nations, then this would see further economic benefits for the Australian and New Zealand tourism sectors and accommodation providers.
JobKeeper Webinar

 On Wednesday, 22 July 2020, the Accommodation Association hosted exclusive member briefings on the Prime Minister and Federal Government’s announcement on JobKeeper 2.0. 

The recording of the webinar and presentation slides are now available on the website for members to access.
Upcoming Webinars

  • 6th August - National Capital Hotel Market Outlook and Insights – AHS Advisory
  • 13th August - The Uncertain Outlook for Travel and Implications for the Accommodation Sector – Tourism Economics & STR
  • 20th August – Innovation and Customer Growth in the age of COVID-19 - thinkplayact
  • 27th August - Business Solvency and Cash Flow Modelling - BDO

Our website is constantly being updated with information on upcoming webinars and you should regularly check for new webinars being added. You can check it at any time here .
The Accommodation Association has Corporate Partners to assist in lowering the costs of your business as well as providing unique solutions to our specific problems. If you haven't already, we recommend you speak to these partners to see what they can do for you.
Post Pandemic Thinking for Hospitality and Tourism

This eBook has over 80 interviews, strategies, stories and suggestions from a worldwide team of innovative thinkers and hospitality & tourism experts. It’s a ‘must have’ if you own, operate or manage a hotel, restaurant, pub, club, bar, tavern or motel.

The author, Max Hitchins, is known as The Hospitality Doctor. This guide will evoke thinking on how you can drive more loyalty, increase the guest experience and drive greater revenue.  Order your copy today!
A Whiz At Commercial Cleaning

SoftBank Robotics Australia would like to introduce Whiz to members of Accommodation Association.

Whiz is an autonomous robot vacuum that uses a trusted AI platform to deliver a higher quality, more efficient clean - with proof of performance, giving you (and guests) assurance that a thorough clean has taken place.

TGA Approved COVID-19 Claim Disinfectants & Hand Hygiene Products

Globally approved and used in airlines across the world, Callington’s Netbiokem DSAM is a ready to use, 2-in-1 high performance disinfectant cleaner for all hard surfaces. It provides broad spectrum disinfection in industrial, institutional, healthcare and hospitality settings.

Netbiokem DSAM kills SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19 virus) in 2 minutes. The product is ideal for disinfecting and cleaning of high touch points within hotel establishments ranging from bars, restaurants, furniture, fixtures, doors, bathrooms, lifts and lobby areas. Netbiokem DSAM is also effective on bacteria ( Salmonella, E.coli ), fungi and mycobacteria making the product even more suitable for the hotel and hospitality industry.

Click here for more information.
Assa Abloy Contactless Mobile Access Technology is Not Just for Large-Scale Hotel Operations
 
How Hoteliers with Smaller Properties Can Benefit from Contactless Mobile Access Technology to Ensure a Safer, More Efficient and Profitable Business.
 
For smaller-sized hotels consisting of anything from 50 to 100 guestrooms, the need to invest in upgrading to digital key and self-check-in technologies has often been a subject of lesser consideration when compared to large scale properties and hotel brands. Due to the more limited scale of their operations, many such hoteliers can place themselves in the mindset that upgrading to instant mobile access abilities is either unnecessary or financially out of reach.

Click here for more information. 
Harvey Norman Commercial Victoria Offer

As the leading supplier of appliance and sanitary ware to the commercial sector, Harvey Norman Commercial Victoria looks forward to assisting you with your professional and domestic product requirements.

We’re pleased to offer our team of dedicated sales specialist, estimator and coordinators to facilitate a seamless end to end product procurement process, after sales support & warranty experience.

Click here for further information on this offering.
13cabs Coronavirus Sanitisation Program

At 13cabs the well-being of our Passengers and Staff are our top priority.

In light of the current coronavirus situation, we are taking action and following the best advice from experts and the Department of Health to ensure that you and your Passengers can continue to get around with confidence.

13cabs and Silver Service fleets have a great National Hygiene Safety Program.

Click on the link to view learn more.
Great Value Health Insurance

Nothing is more important to us than providing our members with quality health cover.
As well a great value corporate health insurance, you can look forward to:

  • Pay nothing for your kids on most dental, physio, chiro, podiatry consultations and selected optical packages at Members First providers.*
  • If you are treated in a Members First Day Hospital, there are no out-of-pocket expenses for medical services EG: your surgeon, anaesthetist.*
  • If you are aged 18-29, you are entitled to receive an age-based discount on your domestic health over.*
  • No waiting periods for services you were covered for with your previous health insurer. *
 
To find our more about joining your company’s health plan, please call Bupa on 134 135 and quote Accommodation Association of Australia ID #2108131 or register for a call back by  click here.

We also have a dedicated Accommodation Association of Australia corporate Webpage that provides you with up to date products, quoting, savings and qual quoting for rate review periods and much more - Click Here to view your Corporate Webpage. Drop by to any of our Local Retail Centre.

*Terms and conditions apply 
Online Mental Health Awareness Course

According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, 1 in 5 Australians, at some stage in their life, will experience a Mental Illness.

It could be a friend, colleague, family member, or even yourself.

However, mental illness isn't always a "life sentence". In fact, the vast majority of people will get better.
Sometimes it just takes a bit of help to get there.

Click here to know more about this online course.
COVID-19 Return to Work (Hospitality) Course

Work practices and standard operating procedures in the hotel, accommodation and
food service industry have changed significantly as a result of COVID-19, and are likely to
remain that way for some time.

Employers have a responsibility to educate staff on additional hygiene and physical
distancing policies as well as modified procedures to create a safe working environment.

Click here to know more about this online course with a member rate of $29 and bulk purchase available for hotels for all staff.