One of Victoria’s biggest business surveys has revealed the Victorian Chamber is the trusted voice of business at a time of significant challenges and opportunities for business in Victoria.

Every year, the Victorian Chamber plays a crucial role in informing the annual Victorian Government Budget through a public submission – and businesses have a chance to help shape this advocacy.

The Federal Government has launched a new initiative for Australia’s 2.65 million unpaid carers and workplaces to aid their employment.

The Victorian and Federal Governments have signed a five-year National Skills Agreement (NSA) for national cooperation and strategic investment into Victoria’s vocational education and training (VET) sector.

Analysis of skills shortages in Australia shows that 36 per cent of assessed occupations (332 out of 916) were in national shortage in 2023, five per cent higher than the year before.

The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) is urging businesses to review their standard form contracts and remove or change any unfair terms before new penalties take effect.

The Australian Government has released an employment White Paper that provides a roadmap of actions being taken, and further reform required, to support the Australian labour market into the future.

The Victorian Chamber has released a first-of-its-kind Cyber Security and Scams Policy Position with 24 pragmatic recommendations to protect small, medium and family businesses from cyber criminals, in a comprehensive cyber suite that includes a Security Checklist and Self-Paced Training for businesses.

Businesses and employees are vulnerable targets of illegal trade, according to Crime Stoppers in its latest campaign targeting workplaces.

According to the Reserve Bank of Australia, “any market economy will function much more effectively if the population is knowledgeable, forward-looking and financially literate”.

A new discussion paper launched by the Victorian Opposition encourages people to have their say on Victoria’s tax system – which has introduced 50 new or increased taxes since 2014 and is described as “discouraging investment and job creation in our State”.

The Victorian Government will not proceed with hosting the Commonwealth Games in 2026, advising the Commonwealth Games Federation (CGF) and Commonwealth Games Australia (CGA) that it will be terminating the Host Agreement.

Consultation is underway to determine how Australia’s largest businesses and financial institutions disclose their impacts on climate change – and how this will have a flow-on impact on small, medium and family enterprises (SMFEs).

The Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry acknowledges that the land we live, work, learn and support business on is the land of the Traditional Custodians, collectively the Indigenous Communities of Victoria.

Two incentives to support small and medium businesses to train and upskill employees and improve their digital capacity are set to deliver more than $1.5 billion in tax benefits.

EOFY is the perfect time to review your business performance and set your goals for the coming year. Did you achieve what you planned this financial year? Look ahead to set new goals and re-align your business focus.