Your Practice

College is of the view that Fellows are best placed to make individual decisions regarding how and where they choose to practice in light of the ongoing COVID-19 situation. We strongly encourage Fellows to communicate with each other and share solutions, both locally and nationally via College.

We continue to work with our College COVID-19 Taskforce to ensure that sensible and appropriate advice is delivered to Fellows and patients in a timely fashion.

Fellows are urged to keep abreast of government advice and apply this practically.

On this page you will find advice regarding:

Business Operations and Considerations
Practice Environment
Practice Staff

Business Operations and Considerations

During these challenging times, College remains cognisant of the financial impact on many practices COVID-19 has presented. To provide assistance, we have sought third party advice from our current auditor, William Buck. The information has been provided without charge and is high level and general in nature. It provides guidance for Fellows on government subsidies and other financial matters.

College strongly recommends Fellows seek specific guidance from their own accountants, advisers and indemnity groups who can tailor advice to their particular practice, financial position and business model.

William Buck COVID-19 Resource Centre

William Buck invites members to explore and utilise their website resources, specifically curated with business owners and operators in mind.

The resources cover a number of important topic areas including:

Accessing government subsidies
Preparing business continuity plans
Reviewing your tax obligations
Access to regularly update FAQ page specific for COVID-19

To view these resources, visit: https://www.williambuck.com/covid-19-and-your-business/

LiquidHR Webinar for Employers and Business Owners

College’s HR consultant, LiquidHR, have produced a webinar for members called “Practical advice for employers navigating downturns and government orders to close”.

Click here to view (members only): Practical advice for employers navigating downturns and government orders to close

Practice Environment

The following information has been developed to assist in your decision making about your practice set-up and operations. Topics include:

Signage in and around your practice
Reception desk organisation
Hand sanitiser
Waiting room set-up
Inside doctor’s rooms
Personal protective equipment (PPE)
Cleaning your practice
Staff reminders

Detailed information on your practice environment Prolonged use of masks and goggles can cause adverse skin reactions such as acne, contact dermatitis and pressure effects as well as exacerbating any underlying skin conditions. Here are some tips for you and your patients to avoid skin problems:

Practice Staff

This resource below covers off a number of areas to think about relating to management of staff and practice management. Topics include:

Managing staff illness and a COVID-19 safe working environment
Staff contact with a potential or confirmed COVID-19 case
Close contact but while using PPE, and PPE reuse
COVID-19 case definition
Staff entitlements in event of self, staff forced, government or practice mandated isolation
Staffing levels and reducing hours
Staff working from home/remotely
Australian Government Support for businesses and employees

Detailed information on your practice staff