Federal Arts Sector Recovery Package
25-6-2020
The federal government have announced their package for arts sector recovery in the wake of COVID-19.
Read the full media release here.
A Fact Sheet is available here.
This package will include:
- $75 million: Seed Investment to Reactivate Productions and Tours – competitive grant funding in 2020-21 to provide capital to help production and event businesses to put on new festivals, concerts, tours and events. Grants will range from $75,000 through to $2 million
- $35 million: Supporting Sustainability of Sector-Significant Organisations – to provide direct support to Commonwealth-funded arts and culture organisations facing threats to financial viability
- $90 million: Show Starter Loans – concessional loans to assist businesses to fund new productions and events that stimulate job creation and economic activity. To be delivered through commercial banks, backed by a 100 per cent Commonwealth guarantee
- $50 million: Kick-starting Local Screen Production– a Temporary Interruption Fund to support local film and television producers secure finance and start production
- Establishment of a Creative Economy Taskforce – a ministerial taskforce to partner with the Government and the Australia Council to implement the JobMaker plan for the creative economy.
Further details about the rollout of this package, including guidelines and eligibility, are still to be advised, and while PAC Australia warmly welcomes the funding package, we know there is still much to be done and we expect our work in this space to continue. However, it’s still a hard fought win, not only for much-needed financial support but also gaining recognition of the social, cultural and economic contributions of our sector.
The work of all peak performing arts organisations must be recognised for their advocacy work to date, including AMPAG, TNA, SSI, Blakdance, Ausdance, and Regional Arts Australia, but in particular Live Performance Australia who led the development of the package.
In his media conference this morning (held at PAC venue-member the Sydney Coliseum Theatre), Prime Minister Scott Morrison acknowledged some of the specific issues that venues and producers are facing in terms of re-opening; specifically viable capacities and uncertain timeframes for re-opening. Along with Mr Morrison’s stated commitment to continue to work with the states and territories on these issues, this is a welcome acknowledgement that the issues we’re conveying are being heard and understood.
The extension of JobKeeper is still under review and government will announce in July if any extension of wage subsidy measures will be provided. We’re also hopeful that, given the ongoing/open-ended nature of the arts sectors predicament, that this will not be the only package or initiative at a federal level.
We expect to be in communication with the Office for the Arts, the Australia Council and of course the Minister’s office in the coming days to discuss the implementation of the package and will provide the membership with ongoing updates.
Guidelines for COVID-Safe Theatres
The national guidelines for COVID-Safe Theatres, prepared by PAC Australia, are now available.
You can download the document in full here and more information on the creation and context of the document is available here.
We have accelerated the process of delivering these guidelines from the other frameworks and resources that LPA will be delivering, as we understand that many venues need this information now and that the structures under which performing arts centres operate are distinct from commercial venues or larger cultural institutions.
However, these guidelines have, of course, been reviewed by LPA and we’ll continue to contribute to their excellent work in delivering guidelines for industry reactivation.
We expect there will be amendments to this document as we all continue to move through re-opening and will keep you updated accordingly.
PAC Australia would like to acknowledge the contributions of Kim Tran (Live Performance Australia), Simon Hinton (Merrigong Theatre), Shauna Weekes and Glenn Hall (Perth Theatre Trust) and Ross Farnell (through his engagement with VAPAC to develop the VIC resources).
General Guidelines – Additional Resources
Some relevant and newly released resources from friends and members:
- The Australia Council have launched Re-activate – a user friendly guide for independent artists and organisations to recommence their practice.
- VAPAC have released A Safe Guide for Re-Opening Performing Arts Venues (link is for Version 1.1 updated 15-6-2020).
- Black Swan State Theatre Company have shared their Return to Work Plan.
- For members also operating gallery spaces, the Museums and Galleries QLD Safety Plan is a useful resource.
- Return To Dance – Ausdance have released principles and frameworks for restarting dance activities. Read more here.
- C!RCA have made their COVID-Safe Plan publicly available, which is an excellent example for producing companies. Download here.
Audience Outlook Monitor – Getting Audiences Back
You may also like to refer to the Resources For Venues & Orgs section of this page for additional information relevant to the reopening of venues.
Phase One Results Available Now
The results are now available from the first phase of a three-phase study that will track how audiences feel about returning to events in the context of the COVID-19 pandemic, with thanks to Patternmakers and WolfBrown for their efforts.
A fact sheet on the collected data is now available on the Patternmakers website here, and a key findings report is here.
You can also view the survey questions asked of the Phase One survey participants here. Questions may be revised slightly for Phase Two.
The second wave of the study will commence in July 2020 and the third wave in September 2020.
Resources made available following the Audience Outlook Monitor Webinar:
The Australia Council has made a recording of the Phase One results webinar available on their YouTube page
Performing Arts Factsheet. If you are a multi-artform space, you might like to also review the broader findings package.
Access the Audience Outlook dashboard
Senate Inquiry
On 8 April, the Senate resolved to establish a Select Committee on COVID-19 to inquire into the Australian Government’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic. PAC Australia has made a submission to the inquiry, primarily focussed on the impact of COVID-19 on performing arts venues and presenters and the ongoing viability issues that our sector will continue to face while the rest of the economy restarts. You can review the submission here. (Note: submissions closed on 28 May, but PAC Australia received an extension to submit by 11 June).
Financial Support
The Federal Government has announced numerous stimulus packages in recent times, with more updates sure to come. There’s a lot of information out there and it’s tricky to navigate.
We’ve created a summary of federal and state by state funding opportunities here: GOVERNMENT COVID-19 FUNDING ROUND UP – but some more specific information is also provided below.
Get in touch with your state-based arts agencies and review their latest information:
1000 x 1000: Crisis Cash For Artists
PAC Australia is proud to be a Champion Company alongside many sector colleagues for TNA’s Crisis Cash for Artists campaign. More information and donations are being received here.
If you know of independent artists who are really struggling and might be eligible – please invite them to apply to the fund here.
State-by-State Information
UPDATED 3-7-2020
Additional information can be found at the bottom of this page in Archived Content.
At the National Cabinet meeting held on 12th June 2020, the cabinet agreed to remove the 100 person limit on non-essential indoor gatherines under the Step 3 Framework and replace it with 1 person per 4sqm, including staying 1.5m away from other people whenever and wherever possible.
States and territories will determine when to implement these chages under Step 3.
New South Wales
Update 15-6-2020
On 14 June 2020, the New South Wales Government announced further easing of restrictions.
From 1 July 2020:
- The number of people allowed inside indoor venues will be determined by the one person per 4 square metre rule, with no upper limit. This includes function centres. All activity must be seated only
- Cultural and sporting events at outdoor venues with a maximum capacity of 40,000 will be allowed up to 25 percent of their normal capacity. Events must be ticketed and seated and follow strict guidelines
- All other restrictions including 20 guests inside the home and 20 for outside gatherings remain the same.
It is anticipated that restrictions will be eased further in August if community transmission of the virus remains low. Reports in the Sydney Morning Herald indicated the possible removal of the 4 square metre rule in August 2020.
Music festival and nightclubs will continue to remain closed in July as the Heath advice remains that these venues and activities pose a high risk of the virus spreading. It is anticipated that restrictions will be eased further in August if community transmission of the virus remains low.
Read more about New South Wales’ current COVID-19 restrictions here.
Victoria
Update 3-7-2020
On 30 June 2020, the Victorian Government announced that from 11:59pm (AEST) 1 July 2020, Stage 3 restrictions and stay-at-home orders will be reimposed for residents living in ten postcodes linked to outbreaks.
These residents will go into local lockdown until at least 29 July 2020 and will only be allowed to leave home for work or study (if they can’t do it from home), to provide care or caregiving, to exercise, or to buy food and supplies.
The businesses and facilities in these areas that have been able to recently reopen – from beauty parlours to gyms to libraries to swimming pools – will again be restricted. Cafes and restaurants will again only be open for take-away and delivery. The Victorian Government will provide local businesses trading in these communities an initial $5000 each. Eligible businesses are those previously eligible for a Business Support Fund grant or a payroll tax refund.
Queensland
Update 3-7-2020
On 30 June 2020, the Queensland Government announced that Phase 3 of the Roadmap to easing Queensland’s restrictions is coming into effect from midday (AEST) on Friday 3 July 2020.
From 3 July 2020:
- Concert venues, theatres and auditoriums can open and have up to 50% capacity or one person per 4 square metres (whichever is the greater), with a COVID Safe Plan
- Maximum number of persons at museums, art galleries, libraries and historic sites will be determined by the one person per 4 square metre rule
- Maximum number of customers for a business at any one time will be determined by the 4 square metre rule
- For smaller venues below 200 square metres, businesses can have one person per 2 square metres up to 50 persons at a time
- Nightclubs, casinos, gaming and gambling venues (including electronic gaming machines) may re-open with a COVID Safe Plan
- Office-based workers can return to their place of work
- Up to 25,000 spectators or 50% of capacity (whichever is the lesser) will be permitted at Queensland’s Major Sports Facilities, with a COVID Safe Plan.
Events with fewer than 500 people require no approval when following a COVID Safe Event Checklist; events with 500 to 10,000 people need a COVID Safe Event Plan approved by local public health units; and events with over 10,000 people need a COVID Safe Event Plan.
Please note that COVID Safe Industry Plans continue to apply with revisions to reflect changes in Stage 3. COVID Safe Checklists and contact tracing continue to apply.
Any person (whether a Queensland resident or non-Queensland resident) who has been in any local government area within Victoria within the last 14 days should not come to Queensland. If they do, they will have to undergo mandatory quarantine in a hotel at their own expense for a minimum of 14 days before they are allowed to enter Queensland.
The Queensland domestic border will be reopened to all other states from 10 July 2020, provided travellers complete a border declaration stating they have not been to any local government areas in Victoria in the previous 14 days. Strict penalties and fines up to $4,000 apply.
Western Australia
Update 23-6-2020
On 22 June 2020, the Western Australian Government announced Phase 4 of the WA roadmap to further relax COVID-restrictions will commence on 27 June 2020 (effective from 11:59pm (AWST) 26 June 2020).
Phase 4 will include:
- All existing gathering limits and the 100/300 rule removed
- Gathering limits now only determined by WA’s reduced 2sqm rule
- The 2sqm rule will include staff only at venues that hold more than 500 patrons
- Removal of seated service requirements at food businesses and licensed premises
- No requirement to maintain patron register at food businesses and licensed premises
- Alcohol can be served as part of unseated service arrangements
- All events permitted except for large scale, multi-stage music festivals
- Unseated performances permitted at venues such as concert halls, live music venues, bars, pubs and nightclubs; and
- The casino gaming floor reopening under agreed temporary restrictions.
For WA’s major sport and entertainment venues, a 50 per cent capacity rule will apply. Therefore, under Phase 4 the temporary capacity of Optus Stadium will be 30,633 for sport events (35,000 for concerts), HBF Park can hold 10,150 (16,500 for concerts) and RAC Arena can hold 7,150 (8,250 for concerts).
Western Australians must continue to keep up physical distancing where possible and good personal hygiene to better protect themselves and the general health of the community. WA businesses will be expected to ensure their COVID Safety Plans are updated and continue to be implemented.
Depending on infection rates locally, Phase 5 is planned to be introduced on 18 July 2020 (effective from 11:59pm (AWST) 17 July 2020) and will result in the removal of the 2sqm rule.
It is also expected to see the removal of all gathering restrictions, other COVID-related rules introduced by the State Government and the 50 per cent capacity limit for major venues.
Phase 6 was going to include the removal of WA’s hard border with the rest of the country and travel restrictions currently in place for remote Aboriginal communities. A tentative date for the removal of WA’s hard border was planned to be included as part of Phase 6, however this was put on hold due to the rapidly evolving situation in Victoria.
When an indicative date is set in the future, it will be contingent on locally acquired infection rates in the Eastern States. The WA hard border will only be removed when the WA Chief Health Officer is confident the spread of infection is controlled in the Eastern States.
Read more about Western Australia’s current COVID-19 restrictions here.
South Australia
Update 3-7-2020
On 30 June 2020, the South Australian Government announced that it will not be reopening the South Australian domestic border to all Australians from 20 July 2020.
The South Australian Government may move separately on New South Wales and the ACT, but is continuing to monitor the situation in Victoria.
Read more about South Australia’s current COVID-19 restrictions here.
Tasmania
Update 24-6-2020
On 24 June 2020, the Tasmanian Government announced Stage 3 in its Roadmap to Recovery will commence from midday (AEST) 26 June 2020.
From 26 June 2020:
- Physical distancing restrictions will be eased to allow for one person per 2 square metres
- Up to 250 people will be allowed to gather in an undivided space in an indoor premises
- Up to 500 people will be allowed to gather in an undivided space outdoors
- Up to 20 people at any one time will be allowed to gather in a household
Please note where the number of people permitted according to the density limit is less than the gathering limit, the lower number applies.
On 26 June 2020, the Tasmanian Government will confirm a date when domestic border restrictions will be lifted.
On 11 June 2020, the Tasmanian Government extended the State of Emergency by four weeks to 9 July 2020.
Australian Capital Territory
Update 15-6-2020
On 12 June 2020, the ACT Government announced further easing of restrictions.
From 11:59am (AEST) 19 June 2020:
- Cinemas and movie theatres can open with a maximum of 100 people (including staff) per cinema or movie theatre, or one person per 4 square metres, whichever is lesser
- Live performance can take place with a maximum of 100 people (including staff, performers and patrons) per indoor or outdoor space, or one person per 4 square metres, whichever is lower. Audience is to remain seated
- Recording or live streaming of performances can take place
- Open Air Drive-in Cinemas can operate with up to 100 vehicles per Drive-In Cinema, per session
- Galleries, museums, national institutions and historic sites can remain open provided there is no more than one person per 4 square metres throughout the venue, and can commence guided tours for groups of up to 20 people (excluding the tour guide)
- Art, dance and music classes or groups can have a maximum of 100 people (including staff) per indoor or outdoor space, or one person per 4 square metres, whichever is lower
- Outdoor amusements and attraction sites can open provided there is no more than one person per 4 square metres throughout the venue, and can commence guided tours for groups of up to 20 people (excluding the tour guide)
- Cafes, restaurants, bars and other licensed venues can seat up to 100 people per enclosed space, subject to the one person per four square metre rule.
Read more about the ACT’s current COVID-19 restrictions here.
Northern Territory
Update 15-6-2020
There has been no further easing of restrictions in the Northern Territory. The Northern Territory remains at Stage 3 restrictions.
From 5 June 2020:
- Patrons will be able to attend a cinema or theatre, concert hall, music hall, dance hall, nightclub or any other similar entertainment venue
- Licensed gaming activities including a TAB will be allowed to operate
- Patrons will be able to attend amusement parks, community centres, or recreation centres
- Patrons will be able to attend an arena, stadium, or sporting facility, including community and sporting competitions with spectators in approved seating configuration. However, if above 500 people the event requires a separately approved COVID-19 Safety Plan.
- Major events will be approved on a case by case basis.
- Biosecurity zones – limiting travel to remote communities – will be removed (interstate borders, however, will remain closed indefinitely).
Read more about the Northern Territory’s current COVID-19 restrictions here.
Resources for Venues & Orgs
Reopening Venues
Safety guidelines:
PAC Australia is working with the LPA to develop COVID-19-specific safety guidelines for re-opening venues to ensure you have resources to develop your own COVID-19 health and safety plans. We’ll also consult with the VMA and colleagues in the sports industry to ensure there’s consistency across the various industries who engage in public mass gatherings.
We’re also working through a range of “readiness to reopen” issues with government and other stakeholders including the viability of performances where there are capacity limits in place, operational considerations of social distancing, capacity to re-engage staff, and more.
Prior to resuming operations, all businesses and organisations will be required to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place. Social distancing measures will still apply.
Getting Audiences Back
Audience Outlook Monitor – the audience sentiment study:
Organisations who have been invited to the Australia Council / Patternmakers / WolfBrown study will commence data collection over the next week.
We expressed our dismay to the funding partners as soon as this project was announced about the lack of representation of venues in this study, given your direct relationships with audiences in communities across Australia, and this has since resulted in more venues being asked to participate, particularly in the states of funding partners on the project (VIC, NSW, QLD).
That said, the research partners are doing a brilliant job to ensure as many regions as possible will be captured in the study, and the results will be made available to everyone, not just the participants. However, we have confirmed that the survey protocol will be made available to all PAC Australia organisations if you feel the study hasn’t adequately captured your audience base.
Here’s a timeline for how this will happen:
- The first dashboard of information will be available by mid-May
- All PAC Australia members will be invited to participate in a member-only webinar to:
- Discuss the data already collected and learn how to use the dashboard and the analyse results, including reviewing the geographic distribution of the audiences surveyed.
- Review the survey protocol to decide whether you wish to initiate the study directly with your audiences.
- The second wave of the study will commence in July
- The third wave will commence in September
We’ll send an invite for the members-only webinar when the date is confirmed.
UPDATE 18-5-20 – PHASE ONE REPORT NOW AVAILABLE
Initial results from the Audience Outlook Monitor are now available, with over 23,000 Australians polled. Read the Phase One results here.
UPDATE 15-6-2020 – PHASE ONE WEBINAR RECORDING
The Australia Council has made a recording of the Audience Outlook Monitor webinar available on their YouTube page.
Snapshot Of Current Presenter Intent For 2021/22
On 7/5/2020 PAC Australia polled our presenter members as to their current response to programming and plans moving forward.
You can view the results so far here.
JobKeeper Payment Employer Guide Update – 11/5/2020
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has published a seventh edition of their JobKeeper Payment Employer Guide.
New information is marked up in red.
PAC Australia & Culture Counts Impact Survey – 9/4/2020
Thank you to everyone who has already completed our impact survey. It’s the data we receive through these means which enable us to argue the case for more, critical funding.
This survey is for everyone – not just venues/presenters.
https://culturecounts.cc/s/3FXCDe
This is a presenter/venue/producer version of a larger survey we’ve developed with Culture Counts – so while your responses will be added to a larger ‘pool’ of data, we will be able to filter the results based on your specific organisation type and location.
If you would like to view the questions ahead of time (noting not all will apply to each organisation), you can do so here.
PAC Australia Resources
If you’re looking for frameworks, metrics and useful language when quantifying your venue’s impact on and outcomes for your local community, be sure to reference our Performing Spaces guide. This guide was developed primarily for local government senior management, to assist them to grow community wellbeing through their performing arts centres and facilities.
Our most recent Economic Activity Report, which measures the scale of operations and economic activity of performing arts centres nationally may also be of use.
World Health Organisation – Advice & Downloads
Concise and up-to-date information on daily life during the COVID-19 outbreak is available here on the World Health Organisation’s website.
It includes an extensive library of downloads such as posters, flyers and fact sheets you might like to put up in your office or any public spaces.
Refunding Tickets
Respondents to the LPA’s Ticketing Code of Practice should note you are not required to provide a refund if consumers do not wish to attend an event due to fear of exposure to coronavirus, though you may wish to provide refunds on a discretionary basis.
As per usual trading conditions, ticketholders are entitled to an automatic refund if an event is cancelled (when the ticket is purchased from an authorised seller) or rescheduled and the customer doesn’t want to attend at the rescheduled time/location.
You’ll find a copy of the current industry and consumer versions of the LPA Ticket Code of Practice on our resources page.
*Thank you to the LPA for providing this advice (email, Evelyn Richardson, 2/3/2020)
We’d recommend all members take the opportunity to ensure you have clear event cancellation policies in place, not only for ticketholders, but also within your hire/presenter contracts. You may also wish to check/clarify Force Majeure, event cancellation and non-appearance clauses directly with your insurance broker.
Risk Management Plan – Example
Arts Centre Melbourne have generously shared a coronavirus inclusive Risk Management Plan, which you may also find useful. You can download it here.
Business Continuity Plan – Template
The Queensland Government has a helpful Business Continuity Plan template on their website.
Working remotely
These articles may come in handy if you find yourself or your team needing to work from home to avoid catching or spreading the virus (or the flu, or even a case of the Mondays):
The Verge have put together an extensive guide to staying productive, staying in touch, and staying sane while working at home. Find it all here.
The best tools and apps for remote working
How to set up a working-from-home environment
From our friends at CircuitWest, a collection of links to help keep you and your team engaged.
Support Act Arts Wellbeing Collective
You can find the Arts Wellbeing Collective Helpline poster available to download here.
Additional Support Act resources, including additional signs and poster downloads, are available here.
Resources For Artists & Freelancers
Brisbane freelancer Lenine Burke put together this step-by-step plan of all the things, little and big, you could be doing to take some control back in your situation, stay organised and proactive, and keep in it for the long run.
The Australian Red Cross has a comprehensive list of ways to undertake (and enjoy) social isolation for a variety of people/circumstances. Have a look here.
If you need to set up a profit and loss statement, you can find a handy guide on how to do that right here.
The fine folk at ActNow Theatre have compiled a huge list of info, from who’s got the best mobile phone plans going right now to some freelancing platforms you might want to check out.
Useful Facebook Groups & Pages
Arts Tasker – work, skill and community sharing during COVID-19
Australian Arts amidst COVID-19
Agri Arts – Jobs for Arts workers in the Agricultural Industry in Australia
Marketable Skills from Professional Artists – technically a Google Form, not a Facebook group. You’ll notice the language is American but we’ve been assured it’ll be a global resource with valuable connections to Australia.
Performing Lines have put together a bumper edition of their regular Opportunities roundup, including jobs, online workshops and more.
Music Licensing Update / Live-Streaming Performances
Arts Law Centre of Australia have put together this Fact Sheet regarding putting works online during this time.
In terms of licensing policies for streamed events, you can view the most up to date guidance from APRA here for Dramatic Context Events and Music Events. If you need specific advice or clarification, please email online@apra.com.au
One Music licences have been paused for businesses and organisations affected by COVID-19. We encourage you to contact OneMusic directly to confirm how this applies to you, however it may mean:
- Accounts placed on hold including any collection activity i.e. outstanding invoices can be deferred
- If your licence continues when you reopen, your account could be adjusted to account for the period where music was not in use. Special payment arrangements may also be put in place to assist you moving forward
- In the worst case scenario of a permanent cessation of trading due to COVID-19, your account can be cancelled and any fees paid in advance will be refunded.
The LPA have compiled a round up of the government directives regarding the live streaming of performances:
NSW
The streaming of a live performance is permitted as long as the venue is closed to the public.
Section 7(1)(c) of the Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order.
VIC
An entertainment facility (e.g. theatre, music hall, concert hall/auditorium) may operate for the purpose of allowing a recorded performance to occur. The term ‘recorded performance’ is not defined in the directives.
Section 7(3) of the Restricted Activity Directions.
QLD
Live streaming of a performance by no more than 2 people is permissible, with a requirement to observe social distancing rules.
Non-essential business, activity and undertaking Closure Direction.
WA
Live streaming from an entertainment venue is permitted by no more than 10 people provided that the venue is closed to the public.
Section 8 of Closure of Certain Places of Business, Worship and Entertainment Directions.
SA
Live streaming of a live performance by a small group is permitted where the total number of persons present in any indoor space at the same time does not exceed 1 person per 4 square metres.
Section 5g of Emergency Management Direction — Non-essential Business and Other Activities.
TAS
Live streaming is permitted in concert venues, theatres, arenas, auditoriums, stadiums and other similar premises, as long as:
- Those on the premises at the time of the live stream do not exceed 5 persons; and
- 1.5m is maintained between each person present; and
- There is a minimum of 4 square metres per person.
Schedule 1 Section 8 of the Mass Gatherings Direction.
ACT
Live streaming is permitted in a concert venue, theatre, arena, auditorium or stadium as long as the live streamed performance is undertaken by a group of persons sufficiently small to enable social distancing of 1 person per 4 square metres.
Section 6x of Public Health (Closure of Non-Essential Business or Undertaking) Emergency Direction 2020.
NT
The NT directives allow services or activities to be provided or conducted online. Refer to Section 9 of Directions to Close Public Places, Services and Activities.
To Help You Stay Engaged
You might like to take any extra time indoors or in isolation to pick up a new skill, try a creative outlet or engage deeply with a topic that interests you. Here are some links to help.
From The PAC Australia Archives
If you’re up for expanding your mind and/or some professional development, we’ve got you covered: a selection of keynotes and panels recorded at our past PAC Australia PAX & Conference events are all available right here on our website.
New Knowledge At A Low Cost (Or No Cost)
The Australia Council for the Arts have established an extensive free series of webinars aimed at professional development for all kinds of arts professionals, called Creative Connections. See the schedule and register here.
Audible has made hundreds of audiobooks available to listen to for free. Head to this page and start listening.
Ableton Music Production lessons are available at about 95% off their usual (steep) price. Grab a bargain here.
JSTOR are making additional content freely available on their online platform, in addition to the many already online. Get browsing.
The Australian Centre for the Moving Image (ACMI) in Melbourne are hosting free online courses called Running Free, on a variety of topics from budgeting to screenwriting. Bookmark it here.
Sundance Co//ab have made an impressive archive of online masterclasses – from web series, documentary filmmaking, branding, pitching and more – all available here.
Enjoy From Home
Critical Stages have compiled an ongoing list of shows, ceremonies, events and opportunities to engage online in their new Stage and Stream weekly series.
Perth Festival have put together a huge list of online avenues for exploration, engagement and enjoyment in the arts and cultural sector globally. Have a look.
London’s National Theatre are streaming one production from their incredible NT Live archives each week, starting on April 2, in a program called National Theatre At Home.
Melbourne Symphony Orchestra have uploaded a full program and performance of Beethoven’s Symphony No 7.
Look After Your Mental Health
Entertainment Assist have created a short series of free mental health webinars, in a program called Intermission. Topics include isolation, finance, healthy habits and sleep.
Beyond Blue have put together this excellent resource on how to look after your mental health during these strange and difficult times. We’re all in this together.
The Arts Wellbeing Collective is also available if you need to brush up on some useful self-care techniques, or call their hotline if you need someone to talk to. The AWC has also collected a series of resources you might find useful which you can find right here.
You can find the Arts Wellbeing Collective Helpline poster available to download here.
Additional Support Act resources, including additional signs and poster downloads, are available here.
Archived Content
The below information may be useful to you, but is superseded by some of the above links.
Centrelink’s Coronavirus Supplement
What is it? Is it for you? How do you get it?
ABC News have put together this detailed primer.
JobKeeper Package
UPDATE 11-5-2020
The Australian Chamber of Commerce and Industry has published a seventh edition of their JobKeeper Payment Employer Guide. New information is marked up in red.
UPDATE: Business Monthly Declaration Opens 4 May 2020
Each month, employers applying for JobKeeper payments must confirm eligible employees and turnover.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) portal to submit the first business monthly declaration for JobKeeper payments opens on Monday 4 May 2020.
Employers will only need to identify eligible employees once. The list of employees will need to be maintained on a monthly basis and reported to the ATO.
To claim JobKeeper payments for April, employers will need to have paid employees $1,500 per fortnight by 8 May 2020.
The final date to enrol for JobKeeper fortnights in April and May is 31 May 2020.
Further information is available on the ATO website here.
Fact sheets on the JobKeeper package are now available and clarify the eligibility requirements in greater detail:
Supporting businesses to retain jobs (Fact Sheet)
NEW ON 7/4/2020 – JobKeeper FAQ Fact Sheet
PAC Australia had the opportunity to consult with Treasury at a roundtable meeting on March 31, 2020 and noted some complicating factors for our members (and the broader arts sector) in accessing this wage subsidy, notably:
- Not all arts organisations may be able to indicate the required 30% drop in revenue in the past month, given the impact on staff retention is based on future work that has been cancelled, as much as current contracts.
- The seasonality of casual engagement means staff may be working for multiple employers and could have difficulty establishing the required 12 months of continual employment.
- There are a significant number of presenting organisations around the country who aren’t eligible due to their management structures tied to Local or State Government.
ACT Government Support For Arts Organisations
On 11 May 2020, the ACT Government announced an additional $ 1 million investment to arts organisations hat had been severely impacted by COVID-19.
Eligible arts organisations (currently funded Key Arts and Program organisations) will be invited to submit proposals for support by demonstrating their financial need this calendar year.
The proposals will be due on 22 May 2020.
Webinars
On March 6, 2020, Theatre Communications Group conducted a webinar about “immediate operational steps theatres can take”. A recording is available here.
The Event Safety Alliance have delivered an event-specific “Preparing your organisation for the coronavirus outbreak” webinar. The recording is available here.
Jobs Hub
We all want to keep as many employees on board as possible during this difficult time, but in the event you’re not able to, you might like to point people to the Jobs Hub for reference. This highlights industries and employment opportunities still in high demand.
STATE BY STATE INFORMATION – ARCHIVED
New South Wales
The New South Wales Public Health (COVID-19 Restrictions on Gathering and Movement) Order 2020 directs from 31 March 2020 – 29 June 2020 (unless revoked earlier) that a person must not participate in a gathering in a public place of more than two persons.
Update 10-5-2020
Gladys Berejiklian originally advised there would be no immediate changes, but has since released the following update. Monitor this page for current restrictions and updates.
From 1 June 2020:
- Museums, galleries and libraries will reopen
- Pubs, clubs, cafes and restaurants can serve up to 50 patrons
Victoria
The Victorian Government has extended its State of Emergency until midnight 11 May 2020.
Further details are in the signed Stay at Home and Restricted Activity Directions from the Deputy Chief Health Officer.
Update 11-5-2020
The Victorian Premier has announced a gradual easing of restrictions with a renewed State of Emergency in place until 11:59pm (AEST on 31 May 2020.
Full details on current restrictions and FAQs can be found here.
From 1 June 2020:
- Galleries, museums, drive-in cinemas, outdoor amusement parks and historic sites will reopen, with a 20-patron limit
- Libraries and other community spaces will reopen, with no more than 20 people in a single area
- Gatherings of 20 people in a home will be permitted
- Restaurants, pubs and cafes can serve up to 20 patrons
- Overnight stays at private residences and tourist accommodations will be permitted.
From 22 June 2020:
- Indoor cinemas can reopen.
Update 15-6-2020
On 14 June 2020, the Victorian Government announced further easing of restrictions.
From 11:59pm (AEST) 21 June 2020:
- Cinemas, concert venues, theatres and auditoriums can open, with up to 50 people per space, subject to the four square metre rule
- Libraries, community centres and halls will be able to open to 50 people, subject to the four square metre rule
- Pubs and clubs will be able to host up to 50 seated patrons, subject to the four square metre rule
- Restaurants and cafes will be able to serve up to 50 patrons, subject to the four square metre rule.
Drive in cinemas can operate. There are no patron limits, but customers are not permitted to be seated outside of their car.
Updated 22-6-2020
On 20 June 2020, the Victorian Government announced a number of changes to the proposed easing of restrictions.
From 11:59pm (AEST) 21 June 2020:
- Public gatherings will be limited to 10 people
- The number of visitors to a home will reduce to 5 visitors
- Cinemas, concert venues, theatres and auditoriums can open, with up to 20 people per space, subject to the four square metre rule
- Libraries, community centres and halls will be able to open to 20 people, subject to the four square metre rule
- Pubs and clubs will be able to host up to 20 seated patrons, subject to the four square metre rule
- Restaurants and cafes will be able to serve up to 20 patrons, subject to the four square metre rule.
Drive in cinemas can operate. There are no patron limits, but customers are not permitted to be seated outside of their car.
On 21 June 2020, the Victorian Government announced the State of Emergency will be extended for another four weeks until 11:59pm (AEST) 19 July 2020.
Read more about Victoria’s current COVID-19 restrictions here.
Queensland
The Queensland Government announced a Public Health Emergency on 29 January 2020. Its duration has been extended by regulation to 19 May 2020.
The Public Health Direction: Non-essential business, activity and undertaking Closure Direction applies during this time.
Update 8-5-2020
QLD reopening roadmap timeline announced and published.
Update 15-6-2020
The Queensland Government has indicated that it will review borders at the end of June and it is likely the Queensland border will be reopened for domestic travel on 10 July 2020, consistent with the Roadmap to easing Queensland’s restrictions.
Read more about Queensland’s current COVID-19 restrictions here.
From 12 June 2020:
- Concert venues, theatres, arenas, auditoria and stadiums will reopen, with a 20-patron limit
- Indoor cinemas will reopen, with a 20-patron limit
- Museums, art galleries and historic sites will reopen, with a 20-patron limit
- Libraries will reopen, with a 20-patron limit
- Restaurants, cafes, pubs, registered and licensed clubs, RSL clubs, hotels and casinos (no bars or gaming) will reopen, with a 20 patron limit
- Gatherings of 20 people in a home will be permitted
Western Australia
The WA Government declared a State of Emergency effective 15 March 2020.
The Closure and Restriction (Limit the Spread) Directions apply until 6:00pm 7 May 2020, or when the State of Emergency declaration is revoked, whichever occurs first.
Update 10-5-2020
Mark McGowan announced WA’s plans on May 10, noting that some measures in Step One have already been implemented.
Update 25-5-2020
From 18 May 2020:
- Cafes and restaurants with meal service, including within pubs, bars, clubs, hotels and casino, with a 20-patron limit, was permitted
- Community facilities and libraries were reopened
- Non-work gatherings of up to 20 people were permitted
- Some regional travel was allowed.
Phase 3 of Western Australia’s four phase roadmap is currently being finalised. It may include further increases to non-work gathering limits and reopening galleries, museums, zoos, theatres, cinemas and concert venues.
Update 15-6-2020
The Western Australian Government has indicated there may be a further easing of restrictions soon. Western Australia is currently at Phase 3 easing of restrictions.
- Phase 3 of the WA roadmap to ease COVID-19 restrictions will commence on Saturday, June 6 (11.59pm Friday, June 5).
- WA the first State to remove the four square metre rule, replacing it with a two square metre rule for indoor and outdoor venues.
- non-work indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 100 people at any one time, per single undivided space, up to 300 people in total per venue (100/300 rule).
- galleries, museums, theatres, auditoriums, cinemas and concert venues can reopen (during any performance, the patrons must be seated. (100/300 rule)).
- More information is available in the media release here or at www.wa.gov.au
South Australia
The South Australian Government announced a Public Health Emergency effective 15 March 2020.
The Non-Essential Business and Other Gatherings Direction applies from 25 March 2020.
Update 8-5-2020
SA reopening roadmap timeline announced and published.
From 1 June 2020:
- Cinemas and theatres will reopen, with an 80-patron limit, provided they can contain them to groups of 20 in discreet rooms or areas within the business
- Galleries and museums will reopen, with an 80-patron limit, provided they can contain them to groups of 20 in discreet rooms or areas within the business
- Pubs, bars, restaurants and cafes will be permitted up to 80 patrons, provided they can contain them to groups of 20 in discreet rooms or areas within the business.
Businesses will be required to complete COVID-19 plans and produce them on request.
Update 15-6-2020
On 12 June 2020, the South Australian Government announced further easing of restrictions. Step 3 will be brought forward to 29 June 2020 from 3 July 2020. Step 3 was supposed to include a cap of 100 patrons in any one room, but this is going to be replaced by the one person per four-square-metre limit.
From 19 June 2020:
- Venues will be able to host up to 300 people, and the 20 person limit for indoor gatherings will be increased to a 75 person limit per room.
Businesses will be required to complete COVID-19 plans and produce them on request.
Tasmania
The Tasmanian Government announced a State of Emergency effective 19 March 2020.
Business restrictions and Gatherings measures apply during this time. These will be regularly reviewed based on advice from the Australian Health Protection Principal Committee.
Further restrictions have been introduced in the North West region of Tasmania from midnight on 12 April 2020 for a period of 14 days.
Update 8-5-2020
Peter Gutwein has announced restrictions will start to be eased from Monday May 11 2020. The full details are expected to be published here.
From 15 June 2020:
- Indoor and outdoor gatherings of up to 20 people will be permitted, including at restaurants and cafes, cinemas, museums, galleries, theatres, performance venues and historic sites
- Visitors to households will be reviewed
- Staying in private accommodation will be allowed
- Border controls will remain in place.
Update 15-6-2020
On 12 June 2020, the Tasmanian Government announced the early lifting of restrictions.
From 12:00pm (AEST) 17 June 2020 (where venue capacity and space allows and subject to final public health advice) the following is permitted:
- 80 attendees at concert venues, theatres, arenas, auditoriums, with an additional number of people specified for performers
- 80 attendees per cinema
- 80 attendees at museums, national institutions, historic sites and galleries
- 80 attendees at community facilities
- 20 visitors to a home in addition to household members
- 80 attendees in libraries
- 80 attendees in hospitality venues.
From 26 June 2020:
- Caps on public gatherings will no longer apply, however, social distancing rules and the one person per 4 square metre rule will apply indoors.
Stage 3 restrictions will now be brought forward to 26 June and at this time, subject to public health advice and the state of play regarding the virus in other jurisdictions, the Tasmanian Government will also confirm a date when domestic border restrictions will be lifted. This is likely to be later in July.
On 11 June 2020, the Tasmanian Government extended the State of Emergency by four weeks to 9 July 2020.
Read more about Tasmania’s current COVID-19 restrictions here.
Australian Capital Territory
The ACT Government announced a Public Health Emergency effective 16 March 2020.
The Public Health (Closure of Non-Essential Business or Undertaking) Emergency Direction 2020 applies until 11:59pm 9 July 2020.
Update 11-5-2020
Changes to restrictions can be found in the link.
The ACT Government has also announced an additional $ 1 million investment to arts organisations hat had been severely impacted by COVID-19.
From 11.59pm (AEST) on 15 May 2020:
- Cafes and restaurants (including pubs and clubs offering seated in-house dining) were allowed to seat up to 10 patrons at one time
- Community centres and community facilities were reopened, with a maximum of 10 people
- Libraries (from 18 May 2020) were reopened.
Chief Minister Andrew Barr has indicated that the plan is to move to stage two restrictions on May 30 2020. This would allow up to 20 people to gather and the reopening of higher-risk businesses, including cinemas.
Northern Territory
The NT Government announced a Public Health Emergency effective 18 March 2020.
The Directions to Close Public Places, Services and Activities and Directions for Gatherings .
The NT government have announced that Stage Three of their “roadmap to the new normal” is anticipated to commence on 5 June 2020 (though the timing is subject to successful implementation of prior stages). This permits the public to:
- Attend a cinema or theatre, concert hall, music hall, dance hall, nightclub or any other similar entertainment venue in approved configuration.
- Attend an amusement venue.
- Attend an arena, stadium, sporting facility including community and sporting competitions with spectators in approved seating configuration. However, if above 500 people the event requires a separately approved COVID-19 Safety Plan.
Prior to resuming operations, all businesses and organisations will be required to have a COVID-19 Safety Plan in place. Social distancing measures will still apply.
Update 8-5-2020
Refer to announcements made last week and the road map with timelines already in place.
From 15 May 2020:
- Art galleries, museums, public memorials and public historic sites were open to the public
- Public libraries were open to the public
- Restaurants and cafes were open to the public
- Bars, sports or RSL clubs (alcohol allowed with the consumption of food), excluding gaming activities, were reopened
- Parks were reopened