Category: MIL-OSI

Source: Australian Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister for Industry

The Government is taking the next step in reforming non‑compete clauses that are holding back Australian workers from switching to better, higher‑paying jobs.

Today we are releasing a consultation paper to gather insights and feedback from workers, business and the broader community about how we ban non‑compete clauses to boost productivity and wages across the Australian economy.

Reforming non‑compete clauses is about encouraging aspiration, unlocking opportunity, lifting wages for working people, and making Australia’s economy more dynamic and competitive.

Right now, more than three million Australian workers are covered by these clauses, including childcare workers, construction workers, disability support workers and hairdressers.

Workers should not be handcuffed to their current job when there are better opportunities available for them and that’s what these reforms address.

Research suggests a ban on non‑competes could lift the wages of affected workers by up to four per cent, or about $2,500 per year for a worker on median wages.

Productivity Commission modelling suggests the changes could improve productivity and add $5 billion or 0.2 per cent to GDP annually, as well as reduce inflation.

The Government committed to consult on policy details to support these reforms and to seek views on whether further changes are required to other worker restraints and what these changes could look like.

The consultation paper also seeks views on complementary reforms to close loopholes in Australia’s competition laws that allow businesses to make anti‑competitive agreements that cap workers’ wages or block staff from being hired by competitors.

This important step is just one part of the government’s broad and ambitious competition agenda, including progressing a national licensing scheme for electrical trades people.

Both changes form part of a second tranche of reforms under the Government’s revitalised National Competition Policy.

They are part of the Albanese Government’s economic plan to help workers earn more and keep more of what they earn, and build a stronger and more productive economy.

The feedback we receive from this consultation will be used to inform legislation for these important reforms.

Submissions can be made online on the Treasury consultation hub until 5 September 2025.

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

Welcome and governance

The ATO Co-chair welcomed members and ATO attendees to the Tax Practitioner Stewardship Group (TPSG) Tax Time 2025 meeting.

ATO Updates

Frontline Services

We confirmed 2.8 million individual lodgments have been received. This is a 4% decrease from the same time last year. Lodgment numbers for self-preparers have decreased 4% and agent lodged returns are down 7% compared to this time last year. We reminded members these numbers are expected to level out as tax time progresses.

We’ve received on average 22,000 calls from agents each week, totalling 66,000 this tax time. This is 11% down from this time last year.

There were 15,000 returns for accounts with compromised indicators that were tax agent lodged without needing to call the ATO as part of the new process.

In response to a member query from the TPSG Tax Time 15 July meeting around the frequency of PAYGI correspondence to tax agents (which was a courtesy notification of what was sent to the client), we confirmed that notifications default to the existing preference of their client. If a tax agent would like to change the notifications for their client new to PAYGI, they can update the Communication preferences via Online Services for Agents at the client level.

IT system updates & maintenance

All Tax Time systems are currently operating well and reporting green across the board.

We recently experienced two issues causing a slight degradation to services.

One issue was reported on the evening of Sunday 20 July between 6 pm and 7 pm AEST impacting all online services. Users may have experienced slowness or possible error pages. This issue was resolved shortly after it was reported.

The second issue was reported on Monday 21 July. It related to our internal case management system, where the ability to provide advice over the phone may have been limited due to availability of internal systems used by call centre staff. This issue has also since been resolved and all systems are operating as intended.

ATO Digital services

We noted that this week there is nothing to report.

In response to a member query from the TPSG Tax Time 15 July meeting around reports of tax agents receiving correspondence for incorrect clients through Practice Mail in OSfA, we provided the following information:

Tax agents have been receiving emails which are part of a Tax Time campaign reminding people to use their myID if they log into ATO Online services. This is part of an online access strength fraud prevention initiative where individuals who create a digital identity and use it to log into ATO Online Services ‘lock in’ the strength of their digital identity so that a fraudster can’t then go in and create a lower-level credential with stolen identity information and access their ATO account.

Under the Digital Identity legislation, digital identity providers like myID are only able to disclose information about the user of a digital identity to government services under specific circumstances. Tax Time messaging doesn’t fall under those circumstances, so we are unable to access the email address the myID owner used when they signed up for their myID. We must rely on the information that it has on the client register for mail campaigns, and in some cases, client’s contact information, including their nominated email address, will be that of their agent.

This feedback has been passed onto the relevant area responsible for the campaign. They have been asked to include the intended recipient’s surname wherever possible.

ATO Communications

A key focus for ATO communications is the ATO app with a media release to be issued on Thursday 17 July. It will remind taxpayers to download the ATO app to protect against scammers and fraudsters. The ATO highlighted that the block functionality of the app is having significant outcomes preventing fraud attempts.

As most pre-filled data is now available, our upcoming media release and messaging is focused around ‘the go-ahead’ campaign for taxpayers and tax agents to start lodging their tax returns.

We continue to talk about the importance of getting work-related expenses right.

We are also continuing to develop content for diverse and First Nations communities, which outlines the support options available for these taxpayers, including Tax Help and Tax Clinic services.

Member comments

A member queried whether ATO communications relating to pre-fill includes references to engaging with a registered tax agent. We confirmed that the planned media release does refer to the use of a registered tax agent.

Member Insights and Experience

Member comments

Members are interested in receiving insights into employer obligations Single Touch Payroll (STP) finalisations and Taxable Payments Annual Reporting (TPAR), as well as any notable trends in common errors. We confirmed that they intend to share these insights at future meetings.

A member raised a query around whether it is possible for the ATO to include the number of days a taxpayer has had hospital cover in prefill to help taxpayers understand their liability to Medicare Levy Surcharge (MLS). We confirmed they will investigate the feasibility for next year’s Tax Time.

Useful links

Source: New South Wales – News

About 5am on Tuesday 22 July, two men threatened the occupant of a house in Craigmore with a sawn-off firearm and machete.  The victim was assaulted and had money and cigarettes stolen.

The victim, a 49-year-old man, sustained minor injuries and was treated at the scene by paramedics.

Patrols spotted one of the suspects at an Elizabeth Downs service station about 9.20pm on Thursday 24 July and arrested the 31-year-old Craigmore man without incident.

A second suspect was pulled over while driving disqualified in Elizabeth Downs.  A search of the 28-year-old’s Elizabeth Downs address allegedly revealed a sawn-off firearm and a machete, believed to have been used in the Craigmore robbery.

The arrested men have both been charged with aggravated robbery, aggravated unlawful threats and firearms offences.  They were refused police bail and will appear in the Elizabeth Magistrates Court later today.

Police wish to reassure the community that this was not a random incident, and the people involved are known to each other.

Anyone with information about illegal weapons in the community is encouraged to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

CO2500030418

188274

Source: New South Wales Community and Justice

Fatal crash at Merseylea

Friday, 25 July 2025 – 8:25 am.

Sadly, a man has died following a crash at Merseylea overnight.
Police and emergency services were called to the scene about 3am, after a cement truck crashed while travelling along Railton Road.
Initial inquiries indicate the prime mover was travelling in a north westerly direction, approaching a slight bend, when it has veered off the road and crashed into a bank.
Members of the public stopped and contacted emergency services.
Medical attention was provided to the truck driver and his passenger, but sadly the passenger died at the scene.
The driver was taken to the Launceston General Hospital. His injuries are not believed to be life threatening.
The crash is under investigation and anyone with information or relevant dash cam footage, is asked to contact police on 131 444 and quote ESCAD 21-25072025.
Our thoughts are with the family and loved ones of both men. A report will be prepared for the coroner.

Source: New South Wales – News

The single vehicle collision occurred on the Port River Expressway at Wingfield about 2.45am on Friday 25 July.

A car hit a light pole on the median strip and ended up in a ditch.

The driver, a 32-year-old Elizabeth North man, was extricated from the wrecked car by emergency services and taken to hospital with serious injuries.

His passenger, a 21-year-old Elizabeth Downs woman, also sustained injuries and was taken to hospital.

The road was closed until 5am but has since reopened.

The car was towed from the scene.

Investigations into the crash are continuing.

Anyone who witnessed the collision or has any dashcam footage is asked to contact Crime Stoppers on 1800 333 000 or online at www.crimestopperssa.com.au

191115

Source: New South Wales – News

The collision occurred on Glynburn Road, near Richardson Avenue, Tranmere, just before 6am on Friday 25 July.

Glynburn Road is expected to be closed to southbound traffic from Arthur Street this morning and motorists should avoid the area.

Source: Australian Attorney General’s Agencies

Australia’s Tourism, Hospitality and Travel industries have a powerful new tool to attract, retain and train workers with the launch of eeger.

The Albanese Labor Government, working in partnership with Accommodation Australia, is proud to launch this government-funded, industry-led national careers and training platform.

Australia’s Tourism, Hospitality and Travel industries help put Australia on the map, with the workforce that make up the industry becoming the public face of our world class experiences, accommodation and food offerings.

With workforce demand in the industry expected to grow by nearly 150,000 by 2033, eeger will go a long way to ensuring the future sustainability of Australia’s tourism, hospitality and travel sectors.

The visitor economy is vital to Australia. It supports over 706,000 jobs – that’s one in every 23 jobs across the nation. It underpins more than 360,000 businesses, from hotels to tour operators, cafes to cultural centres – these are businesses that keep our communities vibrant and connected.

eeger brings together job vacancies, training programs and career development resources into one, easy-to-use, digital platform, connecting jobseekers, employers and educators across these rapidly growing sectors.

This groundbreaking initiative will tackle long-standing workforce challenges for the sector, helping to build a stronger, more resilient visitor economy.

eeger was made possible by a $10 million grant from the Albanese Labor Government to strengthen the country’s visitor economy and secure the skilled workforce it needs for the future.

eeger isn’t just a job board. It brings together job opportunities, training programs and career development in one place, making it easier for Australians to enter and grow within these vital industries.

Quotes attributable to the Minister for Trade and Tourism Don Farrell:

“The launch of eeger marks a pivotal moment for the industry, offering a national perspective for tourism, travel and hospitality job seekers to find the right opportunities and for employers to access the skilled workforce they need.

“The Albanese Labor Government is proud to support this innovative platform, which will help rebuild and future-proof Australia’s visitor economy.

“My first job was in tourism, and I know firsthand how magnificent this industry is to be a part of. I encourage businesses and jobseekers to sign up and make the most of this innovative platform and join this vibrant and important sector.”

General Manager of eeger, Emilie Howe:

“eeger is more than a job platform – it’s built by industry, for industry. It’s a unique solution that centralises career, job and training information for our workforce needs – the first of its kind on a national scale.

“We encourage all businesses in Tourism, Hospitality and Travel, no matter the size, to sign up and take advantage of the free eeger platform.”

Quotes attributable to Accommodation Australia CEO, James Goodwin:

“We’re proud to have worked with so many sectors to develop such an innovative platform that responds exactly to what the industry needs.”

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

We’ve now published a new taxpayer alert – TA 2025/2: Arrangements designed to improperly obtain goods and services tax refunds. This alert strongly warns businesses against using arrangements where a business colludes with another related business to create fraudulent invoices, so they can attempt to claim large GST refunds. In many cases the invoice will overclaim GST credits on real goods or services that were provided. In the worst cases, invoices are completely fictitious.

Deliberately exploiting the GST system to obtain a refund you’re not entitled to, or to avoid payment, is a criminal offence.

We’re still seeing these arrangements occurring, despite warnings from the Serious Financial Crime Taskforce over the last 18 months about fraudulent GST refunds and false invoicing.

Our data shows that the fraud is currently predominantly within the property and construction industry. We’ve also identified early signs of it proliferating in other industries, particularly by privately owned and wealthy groups.

It’s a small number of businesses that are attempting to do this. However, they’re trying to fraudulently claim tens of millions of dollars – money that should instead be supporting vital services the Australian community relies on. Their behaviour:

• disadvantages the vast majority of Australian businesses that are doing the right thing
• tarnishes the reputation of the industries where those businesses operate
• undermines the tax system.

This is not related to the GST fraud scheme that was promoted through social media where individuals created fake businesses and lodged BAS statements to obtain GST refunds. These are real businesses creating fraudulent invoices to try to gain overinflated GST refunds.

We’re equipped with resources, sophisticated data matching and analytics capabilities, and intelligence-sharing relationships to uncover even the most elaborate financial crime. Any businesses caught in these arrangements will face the full force of the law. Further:

• If you’re a company director, you’re responsible for ensuring the company pays its GST in full and by the due date. If these obligations are not met, you can become personally liable for director penalties.
• Promoter penalty laws may apply to any registered agent and adviser who promotes these arrangements. In some instances, cases will be pursued as criminal matters. The worst cases may result in imprisonment.

What you can do

We’re encouraging honest businesses, industry groups and the community to help us stamp out this behaviour. If you suspect another business of being involved in these arrangements, you can confidentially report to us by making a tip-off or by calling 1800 060 062.

If you’re involved in a fraudulent arrangement, we strongly encourage you to come forward and make a voluntary disclosure rather than wait for us to contact you. If you cooperate early and make a voluntary disclosure, we may reduce the penalties imposed.

Keep up to date

We have tailored communication channels for medium, large and multinational businesses, to keep you up to date with updates and changes you need to know.

Read more articles in our online Business bulletins newsroom.

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Source: New places to play in Gungahlin

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is sending a clear message to businesses considering committing GST fraud, making dishonest claims and falsifying invoices.

Assistant Commissioner Adam O’Grady said the fraud is currently predominantly within the property and construction industry. We’ve also identified early signs of it proliferating in other industries, particularly by privately owned and wealthy groups.

‘Despite warnings from the Serious Financial Crime Taskforce late last year, recent observations show dishonest claims involving false invoicing are growing.’

This is not related to a GST fraud scheme that was promoted through social media where individuals created fake businesses and lodged BAS statements to obtain GST refunds. These are real businesses creating disingenuous invoices to gain overinflated GST refunds.

‘While the numbers of businesses involved are relatively small, some are attempting to claim tens of millions of dollars in GST refunds they’re not entitled to,’ Mr O’Grady said.

We’ve released Taxpayer Alert TA 2025/2: Arrangements designed to improperly obtain GST refunds to put businesses engaging in these concerning arrangements on notice and to warn businesses not to engage in these types of arrangements.

‘Most businesses do the right thing. What these others are doing is simply not fair. We’re dealing with dishonest and deliberate attempts to cheat the tax system.’

‘We will not tolerate this fraudulent behaviour deliberately undermining the system or providing an unfair advantage over honest businesses.’

‘Those involved will face consequences, including interest charges, penalties, fines, and where appropriate, prosecution, or referral to the Commonwealth Director of Public Prosecution,’ Mr O’Grady said.

We see arrangements where a business colludes with another related business to create a false invoice, in an attempt to justify an overly inflated GST refund. These may be:

• entities claiming GST credits for the development and construction costs of industrial buildings that never occurred
• entities claiming GST credits for intangible services such as ‘management fees’ that were never provided
• entities claiming GST credits for property acquisitions before they occurred
• multiple entities claiming GST credits for the same invoice
• in the worst cases, invoices that are completely fictitious.

‘Often these schemes are dressed up and sold as clever schemes with a figleaf of technical analysis – but any scheme which generates GST refunds through paper shuffling is likely to be ineffective at best, and civilly and criminally actionable fraud at worst. If it’s too good to be true, it probably is.’

‘We’re encouraging employees, businesses, industry groups and the community to demonstrate their lack of tolerance for those doing the wrong thing, by helping us stamp out this behaviour.’

‘GST revenue is vital to Australia’s economy, funding essential services delivered by states and territories.’

‘Those involved are abusing the system, tarnishing the reputation of the property and construction industry and making it harder for compliant businesses to operate.’

If you suspect another business of being involved in these arrangements, you can confidentially report to us by making a tip-off online or by calling 1800 060 062. 

If you’re involved, you should come forward and make a voluntary disclosure rather than wait for the ATO to contact you. Early cooperation and making a voluntary disclosure may reduce the penalties imposed.  

Notes to journalists

Source: New places to play in Gungahlin