The Legal Profession Uniform Law requires that practising certificate renewals must be lodged by tomorrow, 15 May 2020. For those who did not renew online last year, we really encourage you to try and do so this year given the impact of COVID-19 restrictions. If you need help, our registry team members are happy to walk you through the process over the phone on 02 9926 0156.

COVID-19 restrictions will begin to ease in NSW from tomorrow, 15 May 2020. Under the new measures, outdoor gatherings of up to 10 people will be allowed, cafes and restaurants (including those attached to pubs and clubs) can seat 10 patrons at any one time and up to five visitors can visit a household at any one time. Seven new cases were reported in NSW overnight. Read the NSW Government FAQs on the new rules.

Information to help businesses comply with their obligations under the Work Health and Safety Act 2011 during the COVID-19 (coronavirus) outbreak is available here.

Small businesses facing challenges amid COVID-19 can receive free advice on support options available from the NSW Government through a series of new webinars. Topics include the $10,000 small business COVID-19 support grant cash flow, tax concessions, workplace safety and commercial leases and procurement opportunities. Access the webinars here.

Eight additional investigators have been allocated to the NSW Cybercrime Squad as COVID-19 restrictions see a rise in cybercrime reports and online scams. More here.

Australia’s unemployment rate increased from 5.2 per cent in March to 6.2 per cent in April. According to the Australian Bureau of Statistics, seasonally adjusted unemployment fell by 594,300 people. In NSW, the unemployment rate increased from 4.9 per cent in March to 6 per cent in April. 

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has described the April job rates as ‘shocking but not unanticipated’. Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the figures represent ‘the real and painful economic impact of the coronavirus’. Read their statements here.

Legislation enshrining privacy protections around the COVID-19 contact tracing app has been passed by Federal Parliament. The Privacy Amendment (Public Health Contact Information) Act 2020 replaces the Biosecurity Act determination which is currently governing the COVIDSafe app and introduces a number of new requirements and rules. More here.

The Federal Government will issue a new Regulation under the Fair Work Act to limit any changes made to enterprise agreements in response to the coronavirus pandemic to be effective for no more than 12 months. Read more here.

A new parliamentary inquiry into litigation funding will examine whether current regulations surrounding Australia’s growing class action industry is impacting fair and equitable outcomes for plaintiffs. The terms of reference include consideration of the potential impact of Australia's current class action industry on vulnerable Australian business already suffering the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. More here.