Articles of interest - 27 JanuaryWritten on the 26 January 2021 by SAFCA FCA Weekly Digest 22 January 2021Extracts from the FCA Weekly Digest
Updated Guidance for Dealing with the ATO We've updated the guide for "Establishing Identity when dealing with the ATO" (released in October 2020). A pesky typo crept in so and the old version quoted the wrong section of the Taxation Administration Act. It should be Section 355-25(2)(g) and we've now fixed that. You can download the updated version from the FCA Toolkit. VET-FEE HELP - Redress measures extended The Government has extended the VET-FEE HELP student redress measures until 31st December 2022. They were supposed to finish on 31st December 2020 so their extension is good news. A few years ago many people were induced to sign up to vocational education courses and offered inducements such as free laptops. It wasn't made clear to people that they were then liable for the course fees. If you have clients who have these debts, this means you can still lodge a complaint with the VET Student Loans Ombudsman and the debts may be waived. You will need to explain why your client didn't lodge a complaint earlier, but the grounds for doing this are wide. There is more information in a two-page guidance note on the FCA Toolkit website Update to Covid 19 bankruptcy rules This week saw the end of covid 19 temporary bankruptcy protections and permanent increase in bankruptcy threshold to $10,000 including: when a certain threshold and limitation period applies depending on the date the action was taken. EAP Newsletter - complex conflict As part of our Employee Assistance Program (EAP) package for the sector, we receive emails with wellbeing tips that include helpful resources. The theme of this newsletter is conflict and how it affects people and the teams they work within. Please refer to the resources below: Click here to read the full newsletter
The Salvation Army is now offering a specialised program for people who are currently effected by domestic violence throughout Australia nationally. The program offers the ability to borrow up to $5,000 for essential products and services that will place the individual and their children in safe and suitable environment. The loans are interest and fee free and can be repaid up to 3 years to ensure it is affordable for individuals to repay. The program is designed to strengthen the living skills for individuals by focusing on financial education and positive lifestyle program. This requires willingness to remain engaged for the life of the loan. Conversations from The Salvation Army's, You're The Boss Program, will assist individuals with budgeting strategies and also to achieve or work towards financial independence. Within this program different aspects of an individual's financial situation will be explored through creating new money habits, finding plans that are right for the individual, paying bills, discussing debts and insurance, shopping smart and other money saving tips. The Positive Lifestyle Program takes participants through a self-awareness-raising process, focusing on personal difficulties they may be unable to identify by looking at addressing discontentment, fear, anger and fatigue, and communication break downs. Positive Lifestyle Program, in a non-invasive, non-judgmental way, encourages participants to consider the following aspects of their lives: self-awareness, anger, depression, stress, loneliness, grief and loss, problem solving, assertiveness, selfesteem, and goal setting. It helps people know, value, care for and improve themselves. For individuals who would like to express interest in this program please contact the Program Officer of Salvos Loans at salvosloans@salvationarmy.org.au or call mobile number: 0419 641 285
To print the flyer, click here
Financial Counselling NSW produces Sharkwatch, The Financial Counselling. To read the December 2020 edition, click here
Author:SAFCA |
