Accountant liable as third-party accessory to client’s underpaymets

Underpayment of wages & liabilities

Professional advisors who “close their eyes” to their client’s contravention of the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) run the risk of being held accessorially liable.

To avoid being “involved” in a contravention of the Fair Work Act 2009, directors of accounting firms should seek Employment advice on behalf of their client to ensure employment arrangements are legally compliant.

In Fair Work Ombudsman v Blue Impression Pty Ltd & Ors [2017], the Federal Circuit Court held an accounting firm liable for an employer’s underpayment of wages and breaches of the Fair Work Act 2009.

The accounting firm Ezy Accounting 123 Pty Ltd, faces up to a maximum of $51,000 per contravention, and there were 6 contraventions, totalling $306,000 in penalties for failing to ensure its client correctly classified workers under the correct Modern Award.

What can you do to reduce your risk as an Employer or Accountant/Bookkeeper?

Make sure you know which workplace laws apply. The only way to be sure is to seek advice from experienced, competent Employment Advisors at ISOsafe.

This decision was a timely reminder to accountants and other advisors that they may face accessorial liability under the Fair Work Act 2009 if they acquire knowledge of facts which give rise to contraventions. Contact ISOsafe today to review your ensure your Employment arrangements comply – 1300 789 13

Prequalifying for major Queensland Government building and construction projects

ISOsafe help businesses and employers to prequalify for major Queensland Government building and construction projects using the Prequalification System (PQC).

Who can apply for Queensland Government building and construction projects?

Building industry Contractors and Consultants wishing to do government building projects valued at more than $1 million

What happens after Prequalification?

Prequalification makes you eligible to compete for government building projects. You still need to go through the tender process in competition with your contractor peers.

QLD Government departments use only prequalified building industry contractors for all building projects valued at more than $1 million.

If you wish to perform building work under our minor works or service maintenance contracts (less than $1 million), you don't need to be prequalified through the PQC System, however, you would need to register with QBuild.

How to become PQC Approved?

To become prequalified, you must assess yourself against various criteria around experience, systems, people and business, as well as undergo statutory and referee checks as part of the application process.

To be eligible to tender (either open or select) for a government building project, you must:

·       be appropriately registered on the PQC System

·       have a PQC level that matches or exceeds that project's service risk rating

·       satisfy financial requirements

·       meet project specific criteria.

To become prequalified and registered on the PQC System call ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132.

NSW Government procurement – A guide for NSW State Contract Suppliers

NSW Procurement, a division of the Department Commerce, manages NSW Government contract on behalf of the State Contracts Control Board (SCCB).

Why should businesses consider becoming NSW Government suppliers?

·       NSW Government demand for outsourced providers is increasing. NSW Government spends over $30 billion each year on goods, services and infrastructure.

·       Government want to support NSW based Companies and Contractors.

·       Promoting innovation in NSW.

Want to supply to the NSW Government?

Australia's largest provider of state government tenders is NSW eTendering. Contact ISOsafe to get started today.

There are 2 main ways you can supply to NSW Government:

Contracts are usually awarded after a competitive tender process. Tenders are advertised on NSW eTendering.

Prequalification schemes provide government agencies with a list of expert resources they know have certain specialisations. They then use this list to procure the goods and services they need.

New suppliers can usually register to join a scheme at any time. This helps promote competition and provides a pool of talent.

The first step to joining a prequalification scheme is to register on the eTendering site. Once you have done this you can start your application.

Benefits of prequalification schemes provide many benefits both to government agencies and to you as the supplier of goods or services.

As buyers, agencies benefit from being able to:

·       access a panel of expert resources that can deliver quality goods and services

·       more efficiently run competitive tendering processes by tapping into a group of suppliers with a demonstrated track record.

As suppliers, we hope you benefit from:

·       reduced red tape and lower costs in doing business with government

·       simplified terms and conditions

·       having access to a self-service, online application process

·       being able to regularly apply to join

·       being able to apply for business opportunities by regions and categories, where possible.

Overwhelmed? Contact ISOsafe on 1300 789 132 to get assistance with becoming a NSW State Contract Supplier.

Supplying to Government of Western Australia Department of Communities and Housing – Useful information for becoming a construction or maintenance contractor

There are a number of ways the Government of Western Australia Department of Communities and Housing Authority procures goods and services and construction or maintenance services.

The nature of the procurement and value of the potential contract determines the purchasing method Government of Western Australia Department of Communities and Housing Authority must follow.

All larger contract works can be accessed on Tenders WA. Tenders WA is the central online source of information on Western Australian public sector tenders and awarded contracts.

Businesses and Contractors looking to provide works to Western Australia Department of Communities and Housing will be required to lodge an application through Tenders WA.

ISOsafe can assist with the entire application process, contact us today on 1300 789 132.

DPTI Prequalification - Quick Setup Guide to Prequalification for Transport and Building Infrastructure Requirements

DPTI prequalification allows competent Companies and Contractors undertake the work on South Australia Government building contracts.

Companies and Contractors can apply for prequalification in any category at any time – call ISOsafe to learn more.

Prequalification is available at various levels that reflect the complexity and value of contracts that a company will be permitted to tender for.

When a contract is advertised, the Request for Tender will specify the level of prequalification required. Prequalification must be gained in order to be considered for South Australia Government tenders.

There are 4 key categories of Prequalification:

• Prequalification For Professional And Technical Services

• Prequalification For Rail Safety Workers

• Prequalification For Building Work

• Prequalification For Transport Infrastructure

To get started with DPTI prequalification for your Company, contact ISOsafe today on 1300 789 132.