ClubsNSW understands the Coronavirus crisis is creating extreme uncertainty for clubs, affecting trade and unsettling individual club members. ClubsNSW will attempt to provide relevant information to clubs to assist in the management of what is a very unpredictable situation.
Rest assured, we are working as closely as we can with Government to obtain the most up-to-date advice. Because the Government’s position is rapidly shifting, we have established this page to provide regular updates and advice as the situation eventuates. For specific questions relating to a club's individual circumstances, please contact ClubASSIST by email or phone (1300 730 001).
ClubsNSW is working closely with the NSW and Australian Governments to ensure decisions are made with regard for the interests of clubs.
LATEST UPDATES
3:00pm, 11th November, 2021
The NSW Government has issued a new COVID-19 safety checklist for hospitality venues which is now in effect.
The Public Health Order requires clubs to have and comply with a COVID-19 safety plan which is based on the most up-to-date checklist.
The checklist for clubs (Hospitality COVID Safety Plan) requires clubs to describe how they will address the specified matters.
The updates to the checklist reflect changes to the Public Health Order which came into effect on Monday, 8 November, including increasing capacity to 1 patron per 2 square metres.
3:00pm, 2nd November, 2021
Member clubs are advised that today the NSW Premier announced changes to the reopening roadmap.
The changes bring forward certain freedoms for fully vaccinated individuals and delay freedoms for unvaccinated individuals.
Easing of restrictions brought forward to 8 November
As per the announcement, from 8 November 2021 the following restrictions will be eased:
- Capacity is determined by 1 patron per 2 sqm for the whole club premises, including indoor areas
- Indoor dancefloors can operate
- Indoor swimming pools can be open for all purposes
- The capacity at entertainment facilities operated by clubs – such as theatres – will be increased to 100 per cent if there is fixed and assigned seating.
- These freedoms will only be available for people who are fully vaccinated or exempt, as well as children under the age of 16 years who are accompanied by a fully vaccinated household member.
Postponement of freedoms for unvaccinated people
Adults who are unvaccinated or partially vaccinated will continue to be precluded from attending clubs until 15 December or until NSW reaches 95 per cent double dose vaccination, whichever is earlier.
2:00pm, 27th October, 2021
Member clubs are advised that the NSW Government has made amendments to the public health orders, and issued updated guidance, on how businesses should respond to a COVID-19 positive employee in their premises.
To read more, visit Circular 21-239.
In order to provide clubs with clear and up-to-date information, we've catalogued past advice by date below.
| 3rd October | 7th October | 8th October | 12th October | |||
Trading Requirements for 11 October — Further Information | Regional staff can return to work on Monday, 11 October 2021 with one vaccine dose. | Further information on the trading requirements which will apply from 11 October | Verifying Vaccine Evidence & Children’s Play Centres | |||
| 15th October | 22nd October | |||||
| Reopening roadmap announcement & relaxation of certain measures on 1 November | Information for regional staff regaring second dose of the COVID-19 vaccine |
| 2nd September | 9th September | 15th September | 16th September | |||
NSW Government is extending its COVID-19 economic support package | NSW Premier announced a road map for the club industry to reopen. | New COVID-19 Safety Checklist & Update on Singing and Dancing | Outdoor bowling greens may reopen | |||
| 21st September | 23rd September | 27th September | ||||
| Clubs in NSW are now projected to reopen on Monday, 11 October 2021 | NSW Government to Trial “Vaccination Passport” | Government Releases Reopening Roadmap For 80% and Beyond |
| 5 August | 10 August | 13 August | 14th August | |||
Seven-day lockdown in these eight LGAs, New COVID-19 safety checklist & Encouraging staff to access the COVID-19 vaccine | Temporarily converting outdoor spaces into dining areas | COVID-19 check-in card | NSW is entering a seven-day lockdown | |||
| 19th August | 20th August | 26th August | 31st August | |||
| Lockdown of regional NSW has been extended for a further seven days | NSW Premier announced a number of changes to the COVID-19 restrictions including that the lockdown of ‘Greater Sydney’ will be extended until the end of September | Lockdown of regional NSW is being extended by two weeks | Vaccine Requirements & Rapid Antigen testing update, Update Permit System and Resgurering Travel, Vaccine Priority Acces & Outdoor Gathering Update |
| 1 July | 7 July | 9 July | 14 July | |||
Service NSW check-in will become mandatory at all workplaces and retail businesses, state-wide from 12 July 2021. | One-week extension of the lockdown of ‘Greater Sydney’ and COVID restrictions across the rest of NSW. | Australian Banking Association (ABA) has announced banks will be offering support, changes to the check-in requirements in the public health order to commence on 12 July & two important announcements regarding the COVID-19 Disaster Payment. | Lockdown extension, and Testing requirements for certain workers and contractors | |||
| 15 July | 20 July | 27 July | 28 July | |||
| ClubsNSW has lodged a submission to the Australian Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, detailing the multiple opportunities for clubs to support Australia’s vaccination rollout. | Further details regarding the COVID-19 Business Grants | NSW Government’s JobSaver Scheme | Increases to the COVID-19 Disaster Payment, four-Week Extension to the Lockdown and expansion of JobSaver |
| 18 June | 20 June | 22 June | 23 June | ||||
Recommendation for masks to be worn in indoor settings in Sydney | Masks will be mandatory in indoor settings in seven Local Government Areas (LGAs) from 4pm 20 June 2021. | NSW Government expanded areas where masks are mandatory indoors - including Greater Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the local government areas (LGAs) | New Restrictions Announced for Sydney, the Blue Mountains and the local government areas (LGAs) of the Central Coast, Wollongong and Shellharbour. | ||||
| 24 June | 25 June | 26 June | 29 June | ||||
| No New Restrictions Announced | Stay at home order for Local Government Areas (LGAs) of Waverley, Woollahra, Randwick and City of Sydney | Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced that ‘Greater Sydney’ will be subjected to stay-at-home restrictions and additional restrictions will be applied to the rest of NSW from 6pm today. | Support package for businesses in light of the recent NSW-wide restrictions. |
| 9 March | 10th March | 24th March | |||
Exemption for ANZAC Day Marches | Outdoor ANZAC Day marches and services of up to 3000 people Permitted | Dancefloors in venues permitted, removal of upper caps on wedding and wakes and foreshadowing of relaxation of restrictions | |||
| 29 March | 31 March | ||||
New Public Health Order and key changes to the COVID-19 safety checklist | New restrictions on clubs in the local government areas (LGAs) of Ballina, Byron, Lismore and Tweed. |
| 3rd February | 10th February | 12th February | |||
Density cap for clubs in ‘Greater Sydney’ foreshadowed to revert to 1 patron per 2 square metres | Easing of restrictions for | Updated COVID-19 Safety Plan | |||
| 23 February | 26th February | ||||
Easing of restrictions foreshadowed for drinking and standing, dancing and singing | Updated Public Health Order |
| 2nd January | 3rd January | 15th January | |||
Southern Zone of the Northern Beaches to have restrictions eased | Further information regarding the wearing of face masks | Updated COVID-19 Safety Plan | |||
| 27th January | 29th January | ||||
Easing of restrictions for capacities and Weddings and memorial services | Updated COVID-19 safety checklist reflecting restrictions changing |
2020 Updates
| 2nd December | 7th December | 8th December | |||
NSW Premier announced a major easing of COVID-19 restrictions in hospitality venues | New COVID-19 Safety Checklist | JobMaker Hiring Credit program registrations are now open | |||
| 20th December | 21 December | 23rd December | |||
| Reimposition of the 4 square metre rule and the 300 patron internal capacity limits on hospitality venues in Greater Sydney, the Central Coast and the Blue Mountains | Updated COVID-19 safety checklist & the Reimposition of restrictions on hospitality venues | Changes to restrictions and requirements in the Public Health Order regarding the Mandatory Service NSW app & Capacity and density restrictions | |||
| 29th December | 30th December | ||||
| Further information on the Service NSW app | Restrictions introduced for the Christmas trading period have been extended |
| 5th November | 11th November | 18th November | |||
Media reports on QR code digital sign-in | Mandatory Digital Sing-In | NSW Government has delivered the 2020-2021 Budget | |||
| 20th November | 25th November | ||||
| Electronic sign-in requirements | Easing of restrictions in hospitality venues |
| !6th October | 19th October | |||||
Higher density capacity in outdoor areas, Remembrance Day, Corporate events, | Restrictions eased, with bookings and group size and wedding capacities |
|
| 1st September | 2nd September | 8th September | 15th September | |||
Coronavirus Economic Response Package
| Update on NSW Health Contact tracing | New JobKeeper resources available | NSW Government Rolls-Out Check In App & JobKeeper 2.0 Ineligibility | |||
| 29th September | ||||||
| Maximum capacity of corporate events increased to 300 & Patrons may stand to play a game |
| 3rd August | 6th August | 7th August | 12th August |
| COVID-19: Face Masks & Deep Cleaning | COVID-19: Update on Facemasks, JobKeeper 2.0, Virtual Meetings & Great Southern Nights | JobKeeper | Income Tax: Treatment of JobKeeper Under Mutuality |
| 18th August | 19th August | 21st August | 27th August |
| JobKeeper - New Employee Eligibility | Enforcement of the Public Health Order & Updated community sports advice | JobKeeper Resources | JobKepper Extension & Eligibility |
| 1st July | 7th July | 8th July | ||
Residents from Victoria hotspots,Ongoing compliance with the restrictions & Further Information on the Public Healthy Order | Restrictions on people who have been in Victoria, Update on Courtesy vehicles & Small Business Grants | Public Health Order On Individuals Who Were In Victoria | ||
| 10th July | 12th July | 17th July | ||
Public Health Order On Individuals Who Were In Victoria, Investigation into the | Tougher Restrictions Imposed On Hotels In NSW, Penalties & warning for noncompliance | NSW Government announced additional restrictions | ||
| 21st July | 24th July | 28th July | ||
| JobKeeper Extension | Updated public health order and new restrictions which apply to clubs from today. | Updated COVID-19 safety requirements |
| 2nd June | 10th June | 12th June |
COVID-19 safety plan, Club Industry Reopening Pack, Relief from Foxtel subscription fees in June, Responsible Gambling Advice.
| COVID SAFE business certification, Course on COVID SAFE food service | Changes to the Australian Government’s Three Step Framework for a COVIDSafe Australia |
| 15th June | 18th June | 24th June |
NSW Government To Further Ease | Gaming Machine Tax Assessment Notices & 2019 AUSTRAC Compliance Reports due 30 June 2020 | Clarification On Activities Inside Clubs |
| 6th May | 8th May | 11th May | 12th May | |
| COVID-19 guidance materials on work health and safety (WHS) and sports. | NSW Government's Three-Step Roadmap For Businesses To Reopen | Laws Permitting Clubs To Hold Virtual Member's Meetings | 10-person cap in club dining facilities, Payroll tax on JobKeeper | |
| 13th May | 14th May | 20th May | 22nd May | |
| NSW Premier's Comments On Cafes & Restaurants In Clubs | NSW Government Permits Clubs To Operate Dining Facilities With Restrictions In Place, JobKeeper Payments for Employees Aged 16 or 17 Years Old | Gaming-related Payment Deferrals | NSW Government To Ease Restrictions On Clubs & Club Industry Reopening Pack | |
| 27th May | 29th May | 30th May | ||
| Further Information On Easing Of Restrictions On Clubs | Updated NSW Health Checklist | Legislation For Clubs Reopening On 1 June 2020 |
| 1st April | 2nd April | 3rd April | 6th April |
| NSW Office Of Sport announces Golf Courses and Bowling Greens Can Remain Open | Award Variation as Proposed from the Fair Work Commission | JobKeeper update, COVID-19 Industry Shutdown Survey, In-person monthly board meetings and Employment opportunities for stood-down or redundant club staff. | Information on small business grants & Sky Fees suspensions and updates |
| 7th April | 8th April | 9th April | 14th April |
| Information regarding public holiday payments and stood down employees, and Update on JobKeeper legislation | ClubsNSW Industry Address, ClubsNSW Counselling Service for clubs and their staff, CDI Spotlight Podcast, Club Employers Mutual Relief, Grants for combating social isolation among seniors | Updated government legislation for employers participating in the JobKeeper scheme and employees receiving JobKeeper payments. | Updated JobKeeper Payments Enrolment Process and Eligibility For Employers & Employees |
| 15th April | 20th April | 24th April | 28th April |
| NSW government announces Liquor Licence fee Waiver | Update on ANZAC Day event cancellations and ClubsNSW Made Local: ANZAC Day Initiative | Small Business Grants, Information & Eligibility for Clubs. | JobKeeper Update & Accessing Loans, ClubsNSW events updates & cancellations |
| 16th March | 17th March | 18th March | 19th March |
Managing patrons, managing staff, stimulus packages , media assistance and cancellation of commercial contracts.
| Government advice for employers, complying with regulatory requirements, and cancellation of ClubsNSW events. | 100-person limits, enclosed area definition, social distancing advice, scaling down, and enhancing cleanliness | Workforce planning advice, business recovery advice, enforcement about unlawful gatherings and ClubGRANTS. |
| 20th March | 22nd March | 23rd March | 24th March |
| ATO and loan deferrals, status of staff in the kitchen and further restrictions on gatherings. | Forced closure, workforce arrangements under forced shutdown and advice on available government assistance. | Communication with staff around forced closure, workforce options during stand down, status of ClubGRANTS, ASIC no-action on AGMs, takeaway advice, and relief for trading insolvent. | Members of the public can play golf and bowls on courses and greens, as permitted by the government. |
| 25th March | 26th March | 27th March | 30th March |
| Initial update and eligibility on government payments and leave entitlements for employees in registered clubs. | JobSeeker Allowance and Coronavirus Supplement - Update, update on trading while insolvent & AML/CTF 2019 compliance report. | Gaming machine tax and payroll tax deferral, Tabcorp fee suspension, AUSTRAC advice on 2019 AML/CTF Compliance Report | Initial announcement on new JobKeeper Wage Subsidy for employers. Legislation is yet to be published or enacted. |
| 31st March | |||
| JobKeeper Scheme – Further Information on employee eligibility, superannuation, payment timeframes and next steps. |