18 Aug 2020 | Media Release
Business trading conditions across the country have not improved despite the easing of restrictions in many states, the latest ACCI survey of small to medium businesses has found.
ACCI’s third COVID Business Conditions Survey has found travel restrictions (interstate, intrastate and international) are having a significant impact on more than half of Australian businesses, worsening following the Victorian outbreak.
“Movement of people and goods around and in and out of our country is paramount to the success of Australian businesses and creating jobs,” ACCI Chief Economist Dr Ross Lambie said.
“Interstate travel restrictions are having the biggest impact, with more than one in four businesses hindered by them. This has been exacerbated by NSW and South Australia closing their borders to Victoria.
“What this survey tells us is that we need a new roadmap from National Cabinet indicating when borders will be reopened – businesses need clarity so they can plan ahead, particularly towards the Christmas season when they would normally put on more staff to meet increased demand.”
The third survey has shown the second wave outbreak in Victoria has been a severe blow to business confidence, with businesses’ concerns about their viability and that of the overall economy returning to the high levels observed at the beginning of the COVID-19 crisis in March.
There was no reported improvement in trading conditions nationally despite the easing of the trading restrictions in most states since May – 80% of businesses have experienced a greater than 25% decrease in revenue relative to July last year and 36% a severe decline of greater than 80%.
JobKeeper has by far been the most important of the Government support measures (accessed by almost 90% of small businesses surveyed).
“We know that JobKeeper has kept many businesses going and people in business are telling us they need it to continue to help them rebuild through the recovery phase,” Dr Lambie said.
“While the extension of JobKeeper comes as much relief to many businesses, it is also delaying the hard question facing many businesses – should they stay open or close their doors permanently? Only 60 per cent indicated they are in a position to operate without Government support.
“It is a very challenging time for people in business. What we should be encouraging through this is long term resilience. If people have to close their businesses, we must keep their entrepreneurial spirit alive and encourage them to get back out there.”
11/05/2022
In its submission to the Fair Work Commission’s annual wage review, the nation’s peak business network, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, has backed...
3/05/2022
The Reserve Bank’s decision to lift the cash rate to 0.35 per cent reflects the interrelated challenges of rising inflation, supply chain bottlenecks, and acute...
29/04/2022
The Australian Chamber – Tourism is urging both parties to commit to measures that will assist in the recovery, and capitalise on the potential, of...
20/04/2022
The further easing of close contact isolation rules for household contacts in NSW and Victoria will ease the crippling workforce shortages that are hampering business...
19/04/2022
A commitment from a re-elected Coalition government to extend new greenfields agreements to six years is an important step towards genuine and structural workplace reform...
13/04/2022
Australia’s largest and most representative voice for business, the Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry, today launched its campaign Back Australian Business, coinciding with the federal...
11/04/2022
The union movement’s rehashed casualisation scare campaign puts Australian small businesses and jobs at risk. “This election, Australians deserve better than the ACTU’s false claims...
2/04/2022
Australian businesses are set to reap the rewards of strengthened ties with India following the Phase One Agreement of the Australia-India Economic Commercial and Trade...
29/03/2022
Tonight’s budget will continue to rebuild Australia’s tourism industry; notwithstanding continued labour pressures are hampering the sector’s recovery. “The Government’s commitment to tourism has been...
29/03/2022
Tonight’s budget will continue to build capacity in the economy; however, business has been left with a long road to recovery without significant reform to...
27/03/2022
The extension of the Boosting Apprenticeships Commencements (BAC) wage subsidy to 30 June is insufficient in providing businesses with the confidence that apprenticeship support will...
25/03/2022
A new tourism strategy, THRIVE 2030: The Re-Imagined Visitor Economy, announced by the Federal Government today, provides a roadmap to rebuild Australia’s visitor economy and...
25/03/2022
The significant increase in apprenticeship and traineeship commencements announced today continues the strong inroads made in skilling our local workforce. However, to lock in and...
25/03/2022
In response to Australia’s severe skills and labour crisis, today ACCI releases ‘Overcoming Australia’s Labour & Skills Shortages through Skills Development, Workforce Participation and Migration’ as...
23/03/2022
Reforms and investment announced by the Federal Government today will streamline unnecessary regulation and remove burdensome red tape, supporting business investment, innovation, and job creation....
15/03/2022
Cruise operators have received the greenlight to resume their operations from April 17 following an announcement from the Federal Government today. “Lifting the ban on...
15/03/2022
Australia manufacturers are facing labour and material shortages on a scale not seen since the 1970s oil shock with global supply chain disruptions only set...
9/03/2022
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry congratulates Deputy President the Hon. Reg Hamilton on his retirement from the Fair Work Commission (FWC) and welcomes...
23/02/2022
The Morrison Government’s announcement today of $10 million to support a new international education strategy is a welcome boost for an export sector that has...
21/02/2022
After 704 days, Australia finally welcomes all fully vaccinated international tourists, business travellers and other visa holders from today. While there will be a considerable...