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Business Compliance
Modern Awards are coming - are you prepared?
In just two weeks modern awards will commence - are you prepared for this fundamental change to the IR system? In preparation for the introduction of modern awards on 1 January 2010, employers should:
- Ascertain which modern award(s) will apply to your business.
- Review the terms of the applicable modern awards and how they apply to your business
- If there are certain terms of a modern award that do not suit your business, consider whether an individual flexibility agreement with an employee could be tailored to meet the needs of the business.
> Read the complete article and be prepared for Modern Awards.
Superannuation issues: "Employee" or "Independent Contractor"
The Superannuation Guarantee Administration Act 1992 requires employers to make superannuation contributions for the benefit of their "employees". If the required superannuation contribution is not made the employer will be subject to the Superannuation Guarantee Charge (SGC). However if an individual is not an "employee" under the Act or is otherwise exempted from the application of the Act then no liability for the SGC will arise.
The challenge is knowing the 'ins and outs' of what classifies an individual as an "employee" versus an "independent contractor". > Read more
Business Skills
Do you want $4,000 to add to your training budget?
Did you know thousands of Queensland employees are eligible for up to $4,000 to complete nationally recognised training that will benefit your business?
Your business can obtain:
 $4,000 in Australian Government funding and in some cases more
enhanced skills for your employee
expanded skill sets and increased productivity from your staff
Your employee can gain:
The benefit of a nationally recognised qualification
To find out if your employees may be eligible simply complete Chamber of Commerce & Industry Queensland's 30 second training funding assessment and receive an instant response.
Complete your funding assessment now!
Also this month
Business Safety
Queensland company fined $650,000 over deaths of workers
The importance of investing in Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) has been brought under the spotlight with a Queensland company fined $650,000 last week for failing to meet their WHS obligations.
The fine is the highest ever handed out to a corporation for a prosecution under Queensland's Workplace Health and Safety Act 1995 and demonstrates the Government's serious attitude to WHS.
Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland, the state's leading Safety training provider, has a range of nationally recognised and short course safety training designed specifically for Queensland businesses and delivered across the state.
To find out more visit www.cciq.com.au/safetytraining or call 1300 138 470
Business Sustainability
Energy efficiency becomes a key feature in office sale or lease
The Federal Government recently announced the introduction of a Mandatory Disclosure Scheme for commercial office buildings which will require the energy efficiency rating of a building to be disclosed at the time of sale or lease. The scheme is to be introduced in the second half of 2010.
The idea is that mandatory disclosure will enable potential buyers or lessees to incorporate energy efficiency when deciding which premises they wish to purchase and/or lease. Office buildings with a higher energy efficiency rating will be more popular to potential owners/tenants and this market driven differentiation will put pressure on current owners to increase energy efficiency. > Read more
Also this month
Business Globally
 Australia Made & Grown Logo strongly favoured in USA & Dubai
Latest research conducted by Los Angeles based research company Horizon Consumer Science revealed growing recognition and very favourable associations with the Australia Made & Grown (AMAG) logo in both the USA and Dubai.
The Dubai research showed that Middle Eastern importers hold Australian products and produce in high regard. 60 per cent of Middle Eastern importers consider Australian made products as high quality, while a similar number view Australian products as pure and natural (56%), innovative (53%) and well designed (52%).
1 in 3 importers interviewed in Dubai expressed interest in importing Australian products if they were not already doing so. > Read more
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News & Media
OfficeMax has just launched their new catalogue, Office Products Spring – Summer 2009/2010