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 the Member Enquiries Centre 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.
Update: 4:00pm, 7th August, 2020
JobKeeper Eligibility Amendments
Further to circular 20-121, member clubs are advised that today the Federal Government announced further changes to both the existing JobKeeper scheme (applying until 27 September 2020) and the extension (applying from from 28 September 2020). The changes only impact club and employee eligibility. Read more in Circular 20-132.
5:45pm, 6th August, 2020
Face masks
Further to Circular 20-128, member clubs are strongly encouraged to make plans for their staff to use face masks.
To-date, the NSW Government has strongly encouraged customer-facing club employees to use face masks. However, it is important that clubs are prepared for a range of potential eventualities, including one where face masks are made mandatory for customer-facing employees.
Clubs are advised to explore options for obtaining face masks for customer-facing staff.
JobKeeper 2.0
ClubsNSW notes that many clubs will not remain eligible for JobKeeper under the test which applies from 28 September 2020. This is because the 30% reduction in revenue test applies to both the June (April to June 2020) and September (July to September 2020) quarters, and some clubs may not have the requisite reduction in revenue in the September quarter.
ClubsNSW, through Clubs Australia, is advocating to the Australian Government for changes to the reduction in revenue test, so that eligibility for JobKeeper beyond 28 September 2020 will be determined by a 30% reduction in revenue during the six month period spanning April to September 2020 (inclusive).
ClubsNSW is engaging with providers of face masks to ensure a sufficient supply is available for clubs who have difficulty obtaining masks.
5:45pm, 6th August, 2020
Virtual meetings
Member clubs are advised that the legislation permitting the holding of virtual meetings will be extended for 6 months until 21 March 2021.
An explanation of the legislation can be found in Circular 20-063.
The announcement by the Australian Treasurer, Josh Frydenberg, can be found here.
Great Southern Nights
Further to Circular 20-091 on the NSW Government’s initiative to support live music events across NSW, member clubs are advised that applications are now open for clubs to be part of the initiative – Great Southern Nights.
Great Southern Nights will bring 1000 COVID-safe performances to live music venues in Greater Sydney and regional NSW in November 2020.
Great Southern Nights is a NSW Government initiative, delivered by its tourism and major events agency Destination NSW in partnership with the Australian Recording Industry Association (ARIA), to stimulate the revival of the live music and entertainment sectors and in turn the visitor economy in the recovery phase of COVID-19.
In announcing the opening of applications, Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney, Stuart Ayres, highlighted the importance of holding live music events across NSW, particularly regional NSW.
“The response to Great Southern Nights has been overwhelmingly positive. It’s clear that this game-changing event will have a huge impact on many industries which is why we want 50 per cent of gigs to be in regional NSW and the other half in greater Sydney,” Minister Ayres said.
The online application form can be accessed here.
If your club meets the eligibility criteria, a member of the Great Southern Nights team will be in contact to discuss your potential place on the official program. Clubs are encouraged to submit proposed talent/programming at the time of applying.
For more information and frequently asked questions, please view the Great Southern Nights website here
In order to provide clubs with clear and up-to-date information, we've catalogued past advice by date below.
| 16th March | 17th March | 18th March | 19th March | 20th March | 22nd March | 23rd March | 24th 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. | 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 | 27th March | 30th March | 31st March | 1st April | 2nd April | 3rd April | |
|
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. | JobKeeper Scheme – Further Information on employee eligibility, superannuation, payment timeframes and next steps. | 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. |
| 6th April | 7th April | 8th April | 9th April | 14th April | 15th April | 20th April | 24th April |
|
Information on small business grants & Sky Fees suspensions and updates |
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 | 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. |
| 28th April | 6th May | 8th May | 11th May | 12th May | 13th May | 14th May | 20th May |
| JobKeeper Update & Accessing Loans, ClubsNSW events updates & cancellations |
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 |
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 |
| 22nd May | 27th May | 30th May | 2nd June | 10th June | 12th June | 15th June | |
| NSW Government To Ease Restrictions On Clubs & Club Industry Reopening Pack |
Further Information On Easing Of Restrictions On Clubs |
Updated NSW Health Checklist |
Legislation For Clubs Reopening On 1 June 2020 |
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 | NSW Government To Further Ease Restrictions On Clubs |
| 18th June | 24th June | 1st July | 7th July | 8th July | 10th July | 12th July | 17th July |
|
Gaming Machine Tax Assessment Notices &
|
Clarification On Activities Inside Clubs |
Residents from Victoria hotspots,Ongoing compliance with the restrictions & Further Information on the Public Healthy Order to Apply From Today | Restrictions on people who have been in Victoria, Update on Courtesy vehicles & Small Business Grants | Public Health Order On Individuals Who Were In Victoria | Public Health Order On Individuals Who Were In Victoria, Investigation into the Golden Sheaf Hotel & Crossroads Hotel, Changes To Border Control Order | Tougher Restrictions Imposed On Hotels In NSW, Penalties and warning for noncompliance | NSW Government announced additional restrictions |
| 21st July | 24th July | 28th July | 3rd August | ||||
| JobKeeper Extension | Updated public health order and new restrictions which apply to clubs from today. | Updated COVID-19 safety requirements | COVID-19: Face Masks & Deep Cleaning |
For more information or any questions, please contact the ClubsNSW Members Enquiries Centre
Contact Member Enquiries Centre
Quick links to other resources
Circular Index Club Industry Reopening Pack Business Continuity & Recovery Advice
JobKeeper FAQs Workforce Planning FAQs Supplier Relief & Support Club CovidSAFE Signs