Canon Oceania is today opening submissions for its 2022 Grants Program including a flood recovery grant. This year, the company has introduced a new sub-category to its community grant, to specifically support the recovery of flood-affected businesses and community organisations following the recent devastating floods in Queensland and New South Wales. 

Over the last 16 years, Canon Oceania has supported more than 80 schools, not-for-profits and community groups with over $450,000 in monetary and product support – all in the spirit of Canon’s guiding philosophy of Kyosei (meaning living and working together for the common good). 

“This year, the Canon Oceania Grants Program returns to support both individuals and organisations. The nation has experienced a tumultuous few years as we navigated the ongoing effects of COVID-19 and natural disasters, and we’re so pleased to be able to extend our support to those affected by the recent floods,” said Kotaro Fukushima, Managing Director for Canon Oceania. 

The three categories in this year’s Grants program include Community, Education and Environment. 

Each Grant recipient will receive $5,000 worth of cash and Canon products ($2,500 cash and $2,500 in Canon products), ranging from cameras and printers to projectors and other accessories.  

Last year’s winner stories  

Winners of the 2021 Canon Oceania Grants have put their rewards to great use. The Young Naturalists, winner of the 2021 Small Business Grant (now part of the Community category) aims to connect children with nature by providing nature photography workshops. Since the win, they have enjoyed a greater awareness of their work, and have secured a contract to present the workshops at Sydney Olympic Park. 

“With the products we received from Canon, we’ve been able to provide Nature Photography workshops that allow children to connect closely with nature- something we could not do prior to winning the grant,” said Dr. Fiona Benyon, Director & Co-Founder, The Young Naturalist.” 

“Winning the grant gave myself and my colleague, Aniuzka, an enormous boost of confidence and we’re incredibly grateful to Canon for awarding the grant to The Young Naturalist- it has been the highlight of our journey so far!” 

Last year’s winner of the Education category, Giant Steps Australia, operates a school, as well as providing intervention and adult services for children and adults living with an autism spectrum disorder. 

“Many of the students at Giant Steps are non-verbal and face complex challenges. Thanks to the Canon Oceania Grant, we’ve been able to create visual systems and supports to help children on the autism spectrum to communicate,” said Phillippa Talbot, Giant Steps Australia.  

With the product donation we received, we’ve also been able to create videos to showcase the work we do to help raise awareness about autism in the wider community.” 

Furthermore, the winner of the 2021 Community Grant, KidsXpress, is supporting the mental health of children via trauma-informed Expressive Therapy and educational services. 

“As a mental health organisation that supports children affected by trauma via Expressive Therapy, we’ve been able to take the children outside of the therapy space, exploring their potential and possibilities through a safe medium – the lens of a camera. This is with thanks to the Canon Oceania Grants Program.” said Margo Ward, KidsXpress CEO & Founder. 

“I truly believe this Grants Program can significantly change the lives of people and organisations, and how they then support people. I encourage everyone to enter this year.” 

The 2022 Grants categories 

The 2022 Grants will be awarded under the following categories: 

• 2 x Community Grants – AU$10,000 

• 1 X Community Grant – AU $5,000 
• Open to any for-profit entity that employs fewer than 20 people and have less than AUD 10 million aggregated turnover (according to ABS and ATO guidelines), along with a range of organisations keeping their community at the heart of what they do, ranging from not-for-profits, to grassroots groups. 
• 1x Community ‘Flood Recovery’ Grant – AU $5,000 
• Open to any organisation or for-profit entity affected by the 2022 Eastern Australia floods. 

• 1 x Education Grant– AU$5,000 
• Open to schools and other educational centres for children and adults alike. 

• 1 x Environment Grant – AU$5,000 
• Open to not-for-profits and organisations dedicated to raising awareness of the protection of the environment or promoting sustainable practices.  

Submissions are open now until 29 July 2022 via https://www.canon.com.au/about-canon/community/grants. The wider community will vote on finalists in August, and winners will be announced in September.  

For more information about Canon Oceania’s Grants Program 2022, please visit: https://www.canon.com.au/about-canon/community/grants. 

Australia is laying the groundwork for a third consecutive bumper harvest, with this year’s total planted crop area forecast to reach a record 23.83 million hectares, Rabobank says in its just-released 2022/23 Winter Crop Outlook.

This would be nearly one per cent up on last year’s record planting and 11 per cent above the five-year average. It includes a 1.4 per cent lift in wheat and a record canola planting, up 20.9 per cent on last year, albeit at the expense of barley, oats and pulses.

The specialist agribusiness bank says – in a year of global shortages and high commodity prices – the forecast record planting comes as global markets look to Australia to deliver a “hat trick of great grain and oilseed production” at a time when poor production and export constraints in a number of countries are prompting the United Nations to warn that the world is on the brink of a food crisis.

Locally, the bank says, “hopes are on” another large winter crop to allow Australian farmers to secure good margins in the face of high costs for inputs including fertiliser, fuel, freight and agrochemicals.

Across the states, the report says, winter plantings are forecast to be up on last year by 10 per cent in Victoria and eight per cent in Queensland.

While New South Wales, South Australia and Western Australia are expected to see small contractions in planted area – of two per cent, one per cent and one per cent respectively.

Production – Winter Crop Outlook

Combined with the favourable seasonal outlook for the year ahead, Rabobank says, the forecast record national winter crop planting – currently underway across the country – should see Australia on track to deliver another above-average grain harvest for this season.

Report co-author, RaboResearch agricultural analyst Dennis Voznesenski said while the outlook is for another bumper harvest, it was too early in the season to tell if the record planting would deliver another record in production this year.

“At this point in time, until the crop is more progressed and we can see if there are any surprises in store, we have been conservative in our production volume estimates. In particular we’re mindful of the slow planting progress in NSW and the corresponding decline in yield potential with late planting, as well as overly-wet growing conditions,” he said.

Based on current plantings and slightly above-average yield expectations, the bank estimates Australia will be on track to deliver total wheat production of 32.5 million tonnes (down 10 per cent on last year), barley of 11 million tonnes (down 18 per cent) and canola of 5.8 million tonnes (down nine per cent). 

Export program outlook

This would see Australia with “well above-average export potential again in 2022/23”, the outlook says.

Report co-author, RaboResearch senior commodities analyst Cheryl Kalisch Gordon said a prospective third consecutive bumper harvest would mean Australia would be “well placed to help support global wheat needs in 2022/23”.

“Excess carryover from 2021/22, together with another above-average harvest and strong global demand, means we expect Australia could export around 26 million tonnes of wheat again in 2022/23, almost 50 per cent above the 10-year average and more than 50 per cent above the five-year average,” she said.

Australia is again expected to be able to deliver a “strong export performance into South-East Asia”, she said, with “Australian wheat continuing to be the price-setter across the region on a landed-cost basis, due to both a more favourable freight charge than other origins further afield and a lower origination cost due to abundant local supplies.”

Rabobank says Australia is also forecast to deliver an impressive barley and canola export program in 2022/23, albeit down on last year. The bank currently sees barley exports of 7.5 million tonnes (down 16 per cent on the previous year) and canola exports at 4.5 million tonnes (down six per cent).

Dr Kalisch Gordon said increased canola planting in Australia this season was at the expense of barley and pulses, with Chinese anti-dumping tariffs that were still in place on Australian barley and lower prices earlier in the year the primary reasons for less barley hectares being planted. For pulses, lacklustre pricing and high stocks still on farm are driving lower chickpea plantings this year.

For chickpeas and niche grain and pulses, the report says, ongoing issues with the availability, reliability and cost of container freight – which have been further adversely impacted by China’s ongoing Covid lockdowns – are expected to continue to challenge boxed freight and constrain exports.

Global markets

Global stocks of grains and oilseeds are set to remain low and move lower in the coming year, Rabobank says, supporting elevated global prices through 2022/23.

“2022/23 may be the first season in nine years in which global consumption of grain declines on the previous year – due to the high prices and limited supply,” Mr Voznesenski said.  “But even a decline in consumption won’t stop global stocks of wheat and most coarse grains from falling to their lowest levels since 2015/16.”

Even without the pressure being put on grain markets by the Russia/Ukraine war, which is impacting production and exports out of the Black Sea region, markets would be tight, he said. 

“Global stocks remain significantly below average outside of the Black Sea, meaning prices will remain above average even if there is a ceasefire,” Mr Voznesenski said.

Price outlook

The bank expects global wheat prices to continue trading near current levels with Chicago Board of Trade (CBOT) wheat to trade around USc 1100 per bushel out to the first half of 2023. But it expects prices to be extremely volatile in this higher range, as markets react to news of changes in crop prospects and what can ultimately be exported from Ukraine, Russia and India.

Strong demand for feed barley as a substitute for high-priced wheat and corn feed should keep global barley consumption near or above last year’s levels and be supportive of global prices, Rabobank says.

For canola – which sits in the broader edible oil market – prices are also expected to remain strong. This is given the tight global supply of edible oils, elevated fuel prices and good crush margins. Some softening of canola prices, although not substantial, is likely to occur when the northern hemisphere new crop comes on board in Q3 2022, according to the report.

Local prices for wheat, barley and canola are expected to remain historically strong, Rabobank says, albeit continuing to trade at a discount to global levels.

This is due to a number of factors, Dr Kalisch Gordon said, but primarily because of the large amount of local supply following two consecutive years of record or near-record production, with a third one “on the cards”.

“Australia has a very large exportable surplus with, in particular, a large volume of unsold wheat, especially on the east coast. And this will continue to weigh on local prices unless currently favourable seasonal conditions ‘turn south’,” she said.

For wheat, Dr Kalisch Gordon said, the bank expects basis (the difference between local and global prices) to remain negative over the balance of 2022 and into 2023 – driven by the substantial carryover from last year along with the expected large 2022/23 Australian crop, high freight costs and a discount as a result of a high-risk environment to hold grain for bulk handlers.

Domestically, the bank expects Australian premium white (APW) wheat track prices to trade at an average above AUD400 a tonne over the balance of the year.

Local feed barley prices are forecast to trade between AUD 415 and AUD 354 a tonne over the next 12 months, while local canola prices are forecast to range from AUD 938 to AUD 805 a tonne over the course of 2022/23.

Dr Kalisch Gordon said if Australia has another record harvest, “we could see a situation of full bulk handler sites, full on-farm storage and large volumes of grain in silo bags on farm awaiting shipping slots. This could significantly weigh on prices, especially if conditions are very wet and farmers need to move grain off farm”.

An on-the-ground winter crop outlook survey by the bank showed that nationally, farmers have increased permanent on-farm storage by more than 23 per cent since 2020 and are expected to expand this by another 15 to 20 per cent over the next 12 months, which could help alleviate some of the pressure on prices at harvest from a predicted third consecutive large crop.

Crop inputs

When it comes to farm inputs, prices for most are believed to have peaked, but are expected to remain elevated due to the high cost of production and freight, as well as the sanctions on Russia and Belarus, according to the Rabobank outlook.

Mr Voznesenski said after peaking in mid-March, a decline seen in global urea prices was expected to flow into local Australian markets in late July/early August, though prices would remain volatile.

“Prices for potash are believed to have peaked and local potash prices should be helped by an expected rise in the Australian dollar by the end of the year, though marginally,” he said. “Phosphate prices may also have peaked, though will remain above average in 2022, depending on China’s return to the export market.”

Mr Voznesenski said the bank’s winter crop outlook survey had indicated many farmers were already well prepared when it comes to farm inputs, with a large amount of their needs already on farm.  This was shown to be particularly the case in Western Australia, where farmers reported they had almost 80 per cent of their fertiliser and ag chemical requirements already on farm and in South Australia, where farmers already had close to 80 per cent of their fertiliser needs and 70 per cent of ag chemicals.

The end of financial year (EOFY) can be a stressful time for small business owners, especially if everything is left to the last minute. With June 30 fast approaching, it’s essential for small businesses to be across their entitlements and obligations, so they can neatly wrap things up and get a great start on the year ahead. 

Getting on top of all this paperwork won’t just benefit you at EOFY, it will also offer you a clearer picture of the business to help with ongoing tax and strategic financial planning.

Ben Thompson, Co-founder and CEO of people-management platform, Employment Hero, said: 

Know your entitlements

“Running a small or medium-sized business can be tough, but thankfully the Australian Tax Office (ATO) offers a wide range of concessions, which can give your business a shot in the arm.

“Even if you think you know all of your entitlements, it’s worth checking again because more businesses are now eligible for small business tax concessions. In many cases, your company tax rate may have also reduced. The small business income tax offset has also increased.

“Depending on your aggregated turnover, there is a range of other benefits when it comes to deductions. You might be able to take advantage of concessions such as instant asset write-off, accelerated depreciation, temporary full expensing, immediate deductions for prepaid expenses and deductions for professional expenses for startups.

“Along with saving you money and reducing your tax bill, you can also ease your EOFY stress by taking advantage of ways to simplify your paperwork. This includes simplified record-keeping, simpler Business Activity Statement (BAS) calculations and some exemptions for capital gains and fringe benefits tax.

“As a small business, you can pay your Pay As You Go (PAYG) instalments using an amount calculated by the ATO. This makes things quick and easy because you don’t have to work out the instalments yourself.”

Update your records

“Now is the time to get your paperwork in order, rather than go through a mad scramble at the EOFY. It’s important to have all your receipts in order – if you’re still keeping them in a shoebox, only dealing with them at tax time, then it’s time to update your finance system.

“This is especially important when it comes to depreciation. You must keep records of depreciating assets for as long as you have the asset, and then another five years after you dispose of the asset. You’ll need all of this paperwork if you want to take advantage of the accelerated depreciation rules introduced to help businesses through the pandemic.

“You’ll also want an up-to-date summary of your debtors and creditors, especially if your business has taken advantage of the temporary safe harbour legislation to help businesses stay afloat during the pandemic.”

Reconcile your accounts

“Every bank transaction needs to be reconciled so you have a clear picture of what happened this financial year. The longer you put off reconciling your accounts, the longer it takes and the more difficult it becomes to match transactions.

“Remember, along with your business account and card credit, you also need to reconcile loan accounts and petty cash accounts. Retailers should also regularly reconcile their cash drawer or undeposited funds account. If you’re using electronic banking or clearing, this also needs to be reconciled.

“Regularly reconciling your accounts helps you pick up small errors and discrepancies before they become big problems, which are very difficult to untangle. The process is much easier if your finance system can pull in your bank feeds and match up transactions, which speeds things up and reduces the chances of errors.”

Phillip Bernie, Head of Product – Payroll, at workforce management and payroll solution, KeyPay, said: 

Finalise your payroll

“Finalising your payroll is a key step which must be completed before issuing payment summaries at EOFY. Payroll errors due to coding or processing issues can result in incorrect employee payment summaries, as well as incorrect values in the General Ledger.

“The introduction of Single Touch Payroll has transformed the way employers report wages, superannuation and PAYG to the ATO – so it’s important to be on top of this. Further changes with Single Touch Payroll (Phase 2) will reduce paperwork for employers, while making it easier for employees to understand their payslip.

“Remember also, the removal of the $450 monthly income threshold on superannuation means you might need to start paying super to workers who weren’t previously eligible.”

With tax time fast approaching, CPA Australia suggests taking a “yeah, nah” approach to claiming working from home (WFH) expenses in this year’s tax return. “When it comes to claiming deductions, if you think it’s a ‘yeah, nah’ situation, the answer is probably ‘nah’,” says Elinor Kasapidis, CPA Australia’s resident tax expert. 

Here are six examples of “yeah, nah” deductions that Elinor says won’t fly with the ATO:

1. Doggie daycare. Elinor says, “You went back to the office and Rover destroyed the couch, so now he’s in doggie daycare. Yes, we saw the Instagram post; no, the cost can’t be deducted.” 
2. Your new WFH wardrobe. “Trackie-daks and Ugg boots may be the new black when it comes to ‘working from home’ wear, but they’re not a ‘uniform’ for tax purposes and can’t be deducted.”  
3. Zoom-ready home décor. “Agreed, your Zoom background is ‘amaze-balls’, but those carefully curated books, plants and throw rugs aren’t deductible.”
4. That gorgeous Chanel tote bag. “Even though your handbag is big enough to hold a laptop, if it’s not required for carrying work items, it’s a firm ‘no’ as a tax deduction.” 
5. Wellness activities. “Just because your workplace runs a hot yoga class on ‘Wellness Fridays’ doesn’t mean your downward dog is deductible when working from home.”
6. Tim tams and other 3pm pick me ups. “Sometimes we all need a Tim Tam or 12 to get through the workday. Your boss may provide bikkies at work, but that doesn’t mean you can claim them when you’re working from home.”

Elinor says there are always exceptions to the rule, but in most cases, it’s not you! “If you’re still keen to argue the point after applying a ‘yeah, nah’ approach, I recommend you run it past your tax agent before putting your head in the lion’s mouth by lodging your return.

“A CPA Australia tax agent will weed out claims which aren’t legit, and probably find some deductions you are entitled to but weren’t aware of. Accountants don’t want to be the fun police, quite the opposite. They’re trying to stop you from getting on the wrong side of the ATO, and make sure you get your maximum refund.”

For more information about what employees can and can’t claim, visit our Tax Tips page.

It is a given that clinical excellence is a key factor in a successful General Practice, and nothing comes at its exception. A profitable General Practice holds no value if clinical excellence is not practised. Money is just one side of the Practice Success Blueprint, but it doesn’t come without success in heart, mind, and wallet. Both in life and in running a general practice, there is no ‘do it later’ there is only ‘do it now’! In Project X, there is a pledge of 18-months which eliminates the need for short-term goal commitment and pressure. Committing to the long-term goals relieves the pressures that hinder General Practice owners from achieving their full potential.

There are 5 things that will help drive a successful and profitable General Practice. Although derived from Brad Sugars’ – ‘5 Ways to drive a profitable business’, this model is adapted specifically for General Practices.

Increasing Booked Appointments

There are two instances where increasing booked appointments are possible, the first being, that the Practice is at full capacity and more Doctors are required, and the second being that the Practice is not at full patient capacity and the spaces need to fill up.

In the case of needing more patients, there are two ways to increase the capacity: either get new patients or reactivate visits for existing patients. Patient engagement is imperative to get to know existing and new patients, as it is vital to building relationships with patients. It is important to be clear on who the Practice serves, build a system to reactivate existing patients and initiate a system to bring in new patients.

In the case of recruiting more General Practitioners, it is important to work out a proper recruitment framework – in terms of planning, prioritising, and building the right tools, and gaining clarity of their roles as business owners and their leadership roles and styles. Quick action is essential to increase recruitment, as is being part of the community and being open to different methodology. Other essential points in increasing recruitment are that different results require different actions, building a team that aligns with each other, and having difficult conversations which really brings about great results. 

Attendance Rate

Increasing attendance is relatively simple. It is important to confirm appointments and attendance, ensuring prepayment authorisation, and the content of the Practices appointment funnel. The content in the appointment funnel is essential to changing the opinion of the patients and could even facilitate a secondary appointment and visit.

Revenue Per Encounter/ Billing Per Appointment

A General Practice’s Revenue Per Encounter is the averaged amount billed per appointment or encounter. There are many tactics to increase revenue per encounter. One such tactic is a moving to higher degrees of private billing, which means either increasing fees or increasing bulk billing rates.

There are 3 frameworks to consider when attempting to increase revenue, the first being the GP connector which is built upon the 6 human needs, the communication power formula which is leading every issue with ‘Why?’, and a programme called ‘Get the phone ringing’ which consists of leveraging existing relationships and networking. The results of which virtually guarantee an increase in revenue.

It is important to think and plan carefully to execute well, break out of comfort zones and follow tried and tested processes. Consulting experts is also imperative, and though it may seem costly, consider it as an investment and an ROI. It is a return monetarily and on time and stress.

Frequency of Transactions

There are three main ways to increase frequency of transactions. The first of which is to increase the service offering at the General Practice, such as a Skin Service or Weight Loss Service to name a few. The second is to add the sale of products. And lastly, incorporating a more comprehensive approach to certain things such as focus on chronic disease. Increasing frequency of transactions while adding value to patients is one of the biggest challenges a General Practice faces.

 A way to overcome this challenge is to implement a HR module that focusses on role clarity and accountability. Another way is to implement the CDM module and finally, referencing the right experts and guidelines. The result of implementing this framework is both, happier patients and happier General Practitioners. So, when approaching an increase in the frequency of transactions, it is important to take advantage of every opportunity, stay updated on metrics to measure accountability, and stay updated on knowledge to hold others accountable.

Margins

Protecting margins is a must for General Practices. Mitigating as much risk as possible is necessary to maintain margins. Structuring accounts with the right legal agreements and guidelines is a great way to mitigate risk and protect from SRO activity. Medicare and compliance also present a significant amount of risk and taking the right steps to mitigate these risks is of great importance.

Eliminating monetary and environmental waste is also imperative in running a socially responsible Practice. If these things are handled correctly, it will generate a cost benefit and an improvement in margins. If these things are approached with the right thinking and attitude, it will generate significant results and improvements on margins.

In order to drive a General Practice forward, it is important to note what the business needs and decide on what tactics to use. Understanding what is possible for the Practice and approaching it with the right thinking will lead to creating the achievable results. 

These are only some of the tools and strategies that will help make a General Practice profitable. If a small amount of focus is given to the above points, a General Practice owner will see profitability increase exponentially.

To learn more about Scale My Clinic’s Project X programme, or any of the aforementioned focal points, f visit www.scalemyclinic.com.au.

We’ve all seen the long list of big names called out for underpaying workers, from celebrity chefs to the country’s biggest employers – Qantas, Coles, Woolworths, NAB, CBA, Super Retail, the AB, and even – allegedly – some of our biggest law firms¹.

It’s a problem affecting remuneration from hiring to retiring. PwC estimates underpayment affects 13 per cent of the Australian workforce² and Industry Super Australia found bosses are underpaying workers for three million Australian employees, one in four workers, nearly $5 billion in employer super contributions in 2018-19³.

Who’s at risk?

The Senate committee report into unlawful underpayments or underpaying workers called the issue “systematic and deliberate”. However, in many cases, underpaying is not deliberate⁴.  Many employers have no idea that they have exposure and are not taking steps to ensure they are compliant with Modern Award obligations, or able to demonstrate compliance if challenged by current or former employees. 

Aside from the financial and reputational risk, the Fair Work Ombudsman has put the C-suite on notice that they are personally responsible.  In 2020 The Fair Work Ombudsman stated: “I am calling on Boards to seek assurances from their chief executive officers that wages are being paid to employees in accordance with the law. The buck ultimately stops with the Chair.”⁵

The biggest risk for employers is that they don’t realise they have obligations under Modern Awards and don’t have the systems and processes in place to ensure the compliance.  Having an accurate time and attendance system for all administrative staff and others covered by Modern Awards, allows companies to check their compliance status and is the safety net they should all have.

Such a system allows businesses to check compliance, even retrospectively, and appropriate integration with payroll systems is key to ensuring correct and timely payment of employees. For most companies found in breach, the culprit is payroll software that has not been appropriately integrated with other systems.

Use by dates aren’t just for milk

The one thing stopping most businesses from creating that interconnected payroll ecosystem is out-of-date technology.

Businesses can get hamstrung by accounting packages with minimal features that lack the robustness for advanced payroll reporting or are using difficult-to-customise platforms that struggle to meet constantly changing compliance obligations.

An up-to-date payroll platform that ensures compliance is key, but it also needs to go beyond payroll…

Systems with separation anxiety

Many teams struggle with payroll software that isn’t integrated with third-party systems, like those used by HR teams. That leads to a greater risk of human error and difficulty with reporting, as data needs to move from one system to another.

Being compliant, especially when it comes to payroll, is a basic requirement of doing business and must be a company-wide priority. It’s why The Access Group developed Workspace, an integrated business software solution that connects payroll, finance, HR and other systems in a single platform to reduce the risk of human error, to ensure compliance is baked in at every step, and to deliver autonomy and self-service – at scale – for all employees.

Managing constant change

The other compliance roadblock is navigating Australia’s complex regulatory payroll landscape. It’s like Sydney’s skyline – constantly changing. STP2 is the latest change to impact the industry, and it won’t be the last.

No wonder an Australian Payroll Association survey found 9 in 10 payroll managers find interpreting legislation and Awards around entitlements and payments “confusing or contradictory”⁶. With 13 million people employed by 2.4 million businesses in Australia, millions of pay runs are processed every week. And with 60 per cent of these businesses having a multi-entity structure (a business consisting of several ABN entities), the payroll challenge is compounded further.

Quite simply, businesses cannot afford to get it wrong and C-suite executives should be asking some simple questions of their Payroll and HR Teams as set out in our recent White Paper.

Confusion and compliance don’t play well together in the sandpit, and ignorance of the law is not going fly. It’s critical to ensure your payroll software provider has the deep knowledge and expertise to ensure your business solution delivers on compliance.

The key to overcoming the payroll challenge is managing the varying dependencies with up-to-date, compliant-ready and interconnected software. Armed with this knowledge, you’ll ensure your business meets its obligations with accurate, compliant, and timely pay runs each and every pay cycle; reducing risk whilst ensuring your employees and the broader business isn’t negatively impacted.

John Maley, APAC Head of Human Resources at leading business management software provider The Access Group, explains how your software could be putting you at risk of underpaying your people and why compliance is key in the world of payroll.

1. https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/freehills-underpaid-some-junior-lawyers-more-than-20-000-20200924-p55ym6? and https://www.lawyersweekly.com.au/biglaw/27295-ashurst-responds-to-reports-of-underpaying-staff?

2. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-30/brt-wage-theft-inquiry-report/100952990
3. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-10-28/superannuation-rip-off-hits-retirement-plans-of-workers/100556506
4. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-30/brt-wage-theft-inquiry-report/100952990
5. https://www.theaccessgroup.com/en-au/blog/prl-risk-of-underpayments-for-c-suite-boards/
6. https://www.austpayroll.com.au/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/APA-2021-Payroll-Benchmarking-Report.pdf

Logitech has expanded its Master Series with two new mechanical keyboards – the full-size MX Mechanical and minimalist MX Mechanical Mini – and MX Master 3S mouse. Logitech’s Master Series brings advanced digital creators ultimate productivity tools, featuring high-performance mechanical typing and precision tracking.

“There is a growing community of software developers who fell in love with mechanical keyboards when they started playing games, and now they want the same feeling of precision and control with their professional desktop keyboard,” said Tolya Polyanker, head of the MX Series for Creativity and Productivity at Logitech. “MX Mechanical combines the best of both – Logitech’s gaming keyboard expertise with MX Master Series signature experiences.”

MX Mechanical and MX Mechanical Mini offer the latest generation of low profile mechanical switches. The tactile Quiet (Brown) key switch makes it Logitech’s quietest mechanical keyboard ever with an amazing mechanical typing feel. Clicky (Blue) and Linear (Red) switch options are also available in select markets. The keyboards are designed with dual-coloured keycaps for an optimised peripheral view. Smart backlighting, in six lighting options, automatically adjusts brightness for ambient light and switches off when not needed for efficient battery consumption.

To better address the needs of our advanced creators, MX Master 3S features an 8,000 DPI optical sensor that tracks on most surfaces including glass and offers faster workflow with high-resolution monitors. Clicks are now 90% quieter compared to MX Master 3 while keeping the same satisfying precision feel so that you can focus on your work, not the noise.

The MX Master 3S features the MagSpeed Electromagnetic™ wheel that zips through 1,000 lines in one second, the side scroll wheel for faster horizontal navigation, and a unique ergonomic shape crafted for long hours of comfort.

MX Mechanical, MX Mechanical Mini and MX Master 3S are all compatible with Logi Options+ software – now out of Beta. Users can customize individual buttons, use pre-defined or create their own app-specific profiles, adjust tracking speed, select backlighting effects, and more to optimise their workflow. All three products, equipped with both Bluetooth and proprietary Logi Bolt wireless technology for a reliable, secure connection even in congested environments, can connect to up to three different devices and are compatible across a variety of operating systems, including Windows, macOS, iPadOS, Android, Chrome OS, and Linux.

Sustainability of MX Mechanical

At Logitech, products are designed to deliver great user experiences and minimize environmental footprint and the MX Mechanical and MX Mechanical Mini were designed with your future in mind. A portion of the keyboards’ plastic parts is made from post-consumer recycled (PCR) plastic: 45% for MX Mechanical and 47% for MX Mechanical Mini. Plus, the aluminium top case for the keyboards is made from low carbon aluminium and produced with renewable energy rather than fossil fuels for a lower carbon impact. The MX Master 3S mouse is also made with PCR plastic – 27% for graphite and 22% for pale grey.

All Logitech products, including MX Mechanical, MX Mechanical Mini and MX Master 3S, are certified carbon neutral. When you purchase a Logitech product, the carbon footprint of that product has been reduced to zero by supporting forestry, renewables and climate-impacted communities that reduce carbon.

Pricing and Availability

The MX Mechanical, MX Mechanical Mini and MX Master 3S will be available in July 2022 on logitech.com and at selected retailers. The suggested retail price for the MX Mechanical keyboard is $269.95, the MX Mechanical Mini keyboard is $229.95 and MX Master 3S is $169.95.

Also read Small Business Answers Guide to buying a keyboard.

Cook, lawyer, TV presenter, author, and now Australian Made Week Ambassador Adam Liaw is urging consumers to seek out and buy genuine Aussie products bearing the trusted green-and-gold kangaroo logo to support the country’s makers and growers, as well as safeguard against access and supply issues highlighted by the pandemic.

Taking place 6–12 June 2022, Australian Made Week highlights the makers and growers that are boosting the local economy, particularly in a post-pandemic climate where locally sourced product is more important than ever.

Liaw said that buying Australian Made comes with a feel-good factor as you’re making socially, economically, and environmentally responsible purchasing decisions with far-reaching benefits.

“We are absolutely spoilt for choice in Australia as we have the best products in the world, manufactured and grown to the highest standards right here in our own backyard,” Liaw said.

“COVID reminded all of us that we need to think and buy local ­­– and move away from reliance on imported goods – if we’re going to have manufacturing self-sufficiency and reliable supply chains, ensuring we can obtain products we want, when we want them.

“As a passionate supporter of local industry, I’m so excited to be part of this campaign. My view is it’s a no-brainer to choose Australian Made when you can. When you do, everyone wins – be it through job creation, consistent supply of consumer goods, or just getting a top-quality product.

“To get involved in Australian Made Week, when you’re making purchases – whether it’s flowers, woks or socks – go for Australian Made or Grown and spread the word on your socials by posting about your buy with #AustralianMadeWeek.

“Something new that’s been added to this year’s activities and worth looking out for is a series of special events targeting specific industries and interests, including family and small business, technology, Indigenous business, agriculture, and e-commerce.”

Australian Made Week 2022 follows on from the huge success of last year’s inaugural campaign that prompted more than 70% of Aussies to increase their efforts to prioritise local product purchases. The same Roy Morgan survey found that nearly three-quarters (74%) of participants are concerned about the number of products sold in Australia that are made overseas.

Australian Made Chief Executive, Ben Lazzaro, said Australian Made Week was a great time to draw attention to the benefits of buying local.

“The pandemic has really opened people’s eyes to the dependencies and vulnerabilities of relying on imported goods and how we can all play our part in making small changes that have a huge impact on our quality of life and our economy,” Lazzaro said.

“When you buy Australian Made, you have a direct economic impact on the livelihoods of hundreds of thousands of Australians throughout the supply chain.

“Manufacturing is an essential part of our economy. Every Australian Made product purchased is directly supporting a sector of almost one million people from a hugely diverse range of backgrounds, education and skillset.

“Australian Made Week is also a fantastic opportunity to shine a spotlight on the interesting and inspiring people behind the 4,200-plus businesses that consider their Australian Made certification as a badge of honour.”

The Australian Made Week advertisements were filmed in Melbourne and captured Adam Liaw at: South Melbourne Market; commercial catering equipment manufacturer Luus Industries based in Sunshine West (Victoria); and family-owned furniture company Eaststyle (Tullamarine, Victoria). The advertisement can be viewed here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ufYuO8C3Uu4 Learn more about Australian Made Week and find genuine Aussie products at www.australianmadeweek.com.au

Ideal for small businesses working with remote staff, partners or customers, the free version of RingCentral video and integrated team messaging product offers significant advantages over most meeting platforms available today.

RingCentral Video Pro is HD audio and video quality that works equally well and securely via mobile, desktop or browser. You can host as many meetings as you like for up to 100 participants, and there is effectively no time limits on those meetings (up to 24 hours duration). The free platform is also a rich feature set, including live transcription, screen sharing and cloud recording.

Integrated with video, the free RingCentral Team Messaging platform enables organisations to boost online team collaboration and productivity securely. Features include a group chat function with both internal and external users, personal folders and customisable tabs, as well as file sharing and task management tools.

While a free, high-quality video conferencing solution that doesn’t cap your meetings at 40 minutes might be enough to get most people excited, it’s the RingCentral Add-ins that truly set the platform apart. This gives you the opportunity to integrate third-party applications very simply into the team messaging experience – there are hundreds of pre-configured integrations available, so there is a great chance some of these other applications will already be in use by your business today.

The table below gives a great snapshot of the features offered by RingCentral’s free video meetings platform. More information on RingCentral and its free offer can be found here.

 Jabra, a leader in personal sound and office solutions, introduces the Jabra Talk 65; a premium Bluetooth mono headset, engineered for people who are always on the go and want to stay connected – whether it be for commuting, or working, or just getting things done. Jabra is also upgrading its existing Talk 15 and Talk 25 mono headsets.  

The new Jabra Talk 65 is specially designed for hassle-free calls in noisy environments as it has an unparalleled 80% noise cancellation with its 2-microphone technology, ensuring clear communication with no annoying sound interruptions, wherever you’re calling from.

The Bluetooth mono headset has a wireless range of up to 100m/ 300ft, allowing for more mobility on the go and making sure you have a stable connection. The Talk 65 delivers up to 14 hours of talk time on a single charge, so you can keep communicating.

The Jabra Talk 65 also allows for the streaming of GPS information and media sources and one-touch access to Siri or Google Assistant*. The design is IP54-rated, which means it’s protected against dust and water, so it’s rugged enough to go wherever you do. The headset offers flexibility to be worn on either ear, and the lightweight design makes for a secure and comfortable fit, no matter how much you are moving around.

With the launch of Jabra Talk 65, the Danish brand also introduces its upgraded, other products in the Talk range. The Talk 15 now comes with 7 hours of talk time and the Talk 25 has 9 hours of battery life. Both products include Bluetooth® 5.0 for enhanced connectivity. 

Calum MacDougall, SVP at Jabra said: “The Jabra Talk 65 Bluetooth Mono headset is a great extension of your phone. Because of the 80% noise cancellation with 2-microphone technology and a wireless range of 100m/ 300ft, you can use the headset for work and private conversations, no matter where the day takes you. Thanks to its superior comfort and fit, you’ll barely notice it’s there.” 

Jabra Talk 65 key features and specifications:

• 80% noise cancellation with 2-microphone technology and HD voice
• Up to 14 hours of talk time
• Wireless range of up to 100 m / 300 ft for ultimate mobility and flexibility
• Streams GPS and media
• One-touch access to Voice Assistant*
• Lightweight design
• IP54-rated protection against dust and water

Jabra Talk 65 pricing and availability

The Jabra Talk 65 will be available in A/NZ from 1^st June at selected retailers, MSRP AU$149.