The Victorian Chamber, in partnership with the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions (DJPR), is proud to today announce the winners of the inaugural Victorian COVIDSafe Business Awards.

Throughout early 2022, the Victorian Chamber has been encouraging businesses to review their employment contracts, practices and alerting them to the support available.

It’s the report that you helped us create, and one that might well sharpen the focus on what Victoria needs to do to be the best state to operate a business in. I’m very proud of to release the Cost and Ease of Doing Business in Victoria Taskforce Report.

The Federal Government has announced plans to introduce legislation that will make COVID-19 testing expenses tax deductible for individuals and businesses when used to attend a place of work.

After much debate the Morrison Government will not continue with legislation that included provisions to make discrimination on the grounds of religious belief or activity unlawful in a range of areas (including employment and education).

In two landmark decisions, the High Court has indicated a significant shift in focus when determining whether a worker is an employee or independent contractor.

The Victorian Chamber was pleased to partner with Crown Melbourne on business recovery webinars designed to help regional businesses bounce back following consecutive lockdowns and sparse tourism.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry welcomes the State Government’s decision to change a number of COVID-19 restrictions in a move that will assist in boosting business but we are frustrated that the State Government is yet to give the green light for workers to begin returning to the office safely.

The State Government has eased several restrictions around density limits, QR check-ins and surveillance testing, with changes to office settings flagged, but yet to be formalised.

The State Government is dropping the ‘strong recommendation’ that Victorians work from home, while masks will no longer be needed in offices and most other indoor settings, following the latest update to Pandemic Orders.

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry is elated by today’s announcement that the State Government’s ‘strong recommendation’ to work or study from home will be removed, while masks will no longer be needed in most indoor settings as of 11:59pm on Friday, 25 February 2022.

Great news this week with several positive developments to set us on a cracking pace for our state’s COVID-19 recovery.

Among the many profound impacts COVID-19 has had on our workplaces, the toll the pandemic has taken on the wellbeing of employees is something we are only beginning to grasp as more of us return to the workplace.

Amid the recent return-to-office announcement, there is no better time to foster a resilient workplace through the Victorian Chamber’s extensive catalogue of training courses, that are now returning to an in-person format.

The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has deemed an employee’s redundancy unfair despite accepting the business no longer had a need for the position. The decision was based on a failure to demonstrate compliance with award obligations.

Belle Lim was an international student in Victoria and had just graduated with a Bachelor of Pharmaceutical Sciences when, looking to the future, she found it hard to form industry connections and seek role models to relate to. From this, Future Female was born.