Frequently Asked Questions

If you have any questions you would like the team at bO₂ Corporate Essentials to help you with, Please feel most welcome to contact us here.

Right, the question of price is an important one. That varies depending on your business requirements. You’ll be glad to know we've thought a lot about it. As little as only $16.25 / Month inc. GST will get you started; this investment is tax deductible. More importantly, just by using one of the many tips in the reports along with the free unlimited research department you are going to find your membership will pay for its self many times over. All updates, researched questions, add-ons or extras are included in your plan; there is no join fee. There are no ongoing fees or contracts. Updates are provided “free” of charge when there are changes to legislation. You’ll be notified via email when anything is updated or new added to your “My Secure Zone”.

Here at bO₂ Corporate Essentials money will never be the reason why you can’t have a membership if you really want one; we are of the opinion that ALL businesses in Australia should be able to afford to be compliant. So, payment plans are available upon request.

Just because you buy our product doesn’t automatically make you compliant. We are not selling total compliance. We supply basic general advice and supporting documentation in this area. Compliance is not something you just purchase, it is far more complicated than that...it’s up to the business owner to comply with legislation and put the framework in place with compliant policies, procedures and processes and apply them in the business to suit their circumstances...we sell affordable packages that assist them in that process.

Most professionals and experts in this area tell us that it is virtually impossible to be 100% compliant. To do that you’d have to buy a copy of all the acts-the Australian Tax Act, the Fair Work Act, WHS/OH&S Acts, regulations and codes of practice. (Which will literally cost you 10’s of thousands) and follow it completely to the letter. In order to be fully compliant, particularly in relation to taxation, WHS, HR and Industrial Relations, you’d have to be audited at least annually and that’s very expensive.

bO₂ Corporate Essentials provides detailed framework for an effective management plan that protects workers, protects your business, protects you and demonstrates your commitment to your workplace. To fully comply with work health and safety legislation, your safety management plan must be documented – in detail. Only documented safety management plans provide evidence of compliance, as well as evidence of your commitment to workplace health and safety.

Being compliant not only protects your business, but it can enhance your reputation with your customers, suppliers and your employees – and other important stakeholders, like your bank.

It is important to remember that every company, from start-ups to ASX listed are at risk if they are not compliant in some respect.

Some legislation, such as Taxation, Safety Laws, and HR/IR legislation impose not only significant financial penalties, but also personal criminal liability. Directors can be found criminally negligent & be put in jail – it is critical for you to know where your personal risk is when you’re running a company.

Far too many (73%) SMEs managing their own tax at EOFY are naive to the deductions available to them. This indicates Aussie SMEs are missing out when it comes to tax-time, by not taking advantage of the deductions and tax-cuts available to help them thrive.

There are many areas relating to the day-to-day operations of any business where knowledge acquired is out of date within 12 months.

Make bO₂ Corporate Essentials your advantage.... We arm businesses with the most relevant information about current legislation, potential deductions and compliance requirements along with ready-to-use templates, guides and policy manuals, enabling them to focus on growth progress.

Increasingly, it is not about what you know; it is about knowing how to find out.

Compliance is key so..... It is important to remember that every company, from start-ups to ASX listed are at risk if they are not compliant in some respect. External investigation and proven compliance breaches presents risks to your business.

Do you know your legal rights and obligations? What are the laws? What are your responsibilities? What documentation is required? Employment contracts, WHS issues, grievance procedures and performance management are areas where getting it wrong can cost you a fortune. It ties up management time and can be complex to navigate. Better to get it right in the first place with expert advice.

With millions of dollars in fees, damages, and litigation expenses at risk, can you afford to be non‐compliant? That’s why thousands use bO₂ resources to give their business a clear advantage.

Yes. Over the past several years we have received numerous requests from accountants and professional firms to reproduce or feature parts of our articles in their client newsletters, this has worked successfully for both bO2 and our readers, so if you’d like to feature any of the tips, articles or information from past, present or future bO₂ Corporate Essentials newsletters or guides you can. We always are happy to oblige if our Permissions Policy is agreed to. Just contact us via email before you do, so we can forward you the standard PERMISSION TO REPRODUCE COPYRIGHT Material Agreement.

No two services are the same… Price, Quality and customer service are what distinguish us from others. We always strive to exceed our customers’ expectations and meet their requirements. Thus, we endeavour to make Fair Dealing a core practice in everything we do – from the way we conduct our business and interact with members, to the products and services we provide.

We work closely with our members to gain a deeper understanding of their business needs. We then connect our people, products and expertise to provide them with the resources to give their business a clear advantage.

Individual documents such as (SWMS), Policies, Procedures Forms and Registers compliment your existing workplace Management System; our bO₂ Tax Essentials and HR/IR Smart Guides are unique to the market. We have our own independent technical writers and authors.

One important aspect which makes bO2 unique is:

All bO₂ member updates are provided “free of charge” when there are changes to legislation. All updates, researched questions, add-ons or extras are included in your plan with no join fee and no on-going fees. You’ll be notified via email when anything is updated or new added to your “My Secure Zone”.

Are you keeping up with good business practice?......This is especially important for those people running small businesses - as they are simply unaware of all the legal obligations under the Fair Work system, including the 10 National Employment Standards, Modern Awards and dismissal laws. They just want to hire and manage employees without the red tape and without facing claims that result in fines and penalties; - but it's hard to know where to start.

Are your employment conditions compliant? Have you asked yourself the question about whether or not you currently meet with the requirements of the Fair Work system including the 10 National Employment Standards, Modern Awards and policy requirements?

More and more businesses are turning to services like bO₂ Tax Essentials, HR/IR Smart Guides and Toolpacks for advice on how to achieve compliance with Australia's increasingly complex taxation and employment relations laws.

Busy business owners don’t have a lot of time and that is exactly why our members use us as part of their compliance resources! Our readers find that our products and services actually help to cut down on and recover the time they’re already spending on and in this area of their business.

Most people tell us that while they are keenly aware of their obligations and the requirements for compliance... the time to develop these documents and do research for themselves is more than many business owners are willing, or can realistically dedicate.

Managing your responsibilities ensuring a safe work environment can be challenging for most business owners. Creating and managing your own compliance resources can also seem overwhelming, not knowing where to start, creating all the documents and keeping up with the changes in Workplace, Taxation and WHS legislation and codes of practice.

bO₂ Corporate Essentials templates, policy and Procedure Manuals and Smart Guides have been developed to help PCBU's comply with the Fair Work Act, WHS/OH&S Acts, Regulations and associated safe work Australia Codes of Practice.

bO₂ Tax Essentials give you the latest news on how to minimise risks and maximise opportunities when facing day –to- day taxation issues; you’ll certainly find many useful tips on how to legally deal with and deliver a workforce that is both productive and efficient… it’s about protecting what you already have!

Policies provide a set of “house rules” for your business that all staff must adhere to.

Not having policies in the work place is similar to playing a game with no rules! Common sense to one person is different to another. Clear policies are essential to clarify what is expected from staff. They can also outline potential consequences if policies are not followed. Providing a copy of company policies to new staff will ensure that there is consistency in the induction process.

It is important to ensure that your staffing policies are well written and legally compliant.

At bO₂ we understand that small & medium sized businesses need effective HR frameworks in place. We have specially formulated guides to suit all sizes of business to help you to manage your staff in a fair, cost effective and legal way.

bO₂ Corporate Essentials takes the time and cost out of HR policy and template development.

No… What bO₂ Corporate Essentials aims to do is reduce the time, money and effort that you will have to invest in developing and maintaining your workplace compliance to the specific needs of your business. We provide step–by–step scripting and guidance.

So… Who must be consulted?

Communication and consultation by employers with workers throughout the risk management process, and on an ongoing basis, is a valuable step to ensuring a thorough and effective health and safety management system.

This is what we call the bO₂ Advantage.

The bO₂ Advantage, for our members is at the heart of everything we do. We help members gain an advantage through increasing efficiencies and effectively giving time, energy and dollar savings back to the business. However more importantly we provide peace of mind through our resources and providing appropriate tools for businesses in Australia.

Some of the significant aspects of bO₂ Taxation Publications, workplace guides and Toolpacks are:

Easy to use, and gives you the ability to customise for multiple employees and work sites
Exceptional Service...Our centralised headquarters coupled with sector expertise and key account management gives us the ability to support our members wherever they are located within Australia regardless of whether your business is large or small.
There is no need to build your own manual and forms
Innovation & Technical Excellence...With two dedicated technical areas, coupled with the experience of specialist tax, human resource and industrial relation teams give us extensive resources and sector expertise providing you with up to date information at your fingertips.
Updates will be provided as and when there are changes to legislation. You’ll receive notification via email when anything new is updated or added to your “My Secure Zone”.
Are re-useable, cost effective and informative and compliment your existing Workplace Management System
High Performance Products...We have a complete range of Business Essential products available for downloading or for use on the run. Providing valuable resources to our members in an easy to read and reusable format which allows for simplicity & customisation to meet their business needs, a powerful combination to the modern day business.
Will give your business the most up to date policies and procedures that can be easily adapted to suit your business needs so you can be 100% confident when implementing or updating your company systems, to ensure compliance with legislative requirements.

Contact us today and make bO₂ Corporate Essentials your advantage!

Workplace Health and Safety (WHS) legislation is all about making workplaces and work practices safer for everyone. Everyone should agree that a safe workplace is important – however it won’t be if you don’t do all you can to make your workplace as safe as it can be.

All persons involved in work activities at your workplace need to be considered when developing safety procedures – labour hire workers, apprentices/trainees not directly employed by you, contractors and others.

To assist in helping you to better understand your obligations and safety requirements, set out below are some common questions raised in relation to WHS responsibilities.

How does WHS legislation affect my business? Workplace health and safety is ensured when persons are free from the risk of death, injury or illness created by workplaces, workplace activities or specified high-risk plant. Ensuring workplace health and safety involves identifying and managing exposure to risks at the workplace.

Workers in Australia are protected either under the national health & safety legislation or relevant State Work Health and Safety Legislation. The legislation is designed to protect people by establishing safe systems of work to eliminate or minimise risks to health, safety and welfare.

If your business fails to ensure the safety of workers and others you can be found to be in breach of the relevant legislation. In this event your business must be able to provide irrefutable evidence that you have complied with all aspects of your WHS obligations.

What happens if my documentation and procedures are not adequate? If you cannot substantiate compliance you can be found negligent and be prosecuted, fined and in cases can be jailed in the event of an injury, illness or fatality at your workplace. You can be jailed if you have been found to be ‘grossly negligent’ in your duty of care under WHS legislation.

Prosecution can also apply to proprietors, directors, persons’ in control, supervisors and even volunteers in certain circumstances

It also doesn’t need to be an injury, illness or fatality that triggers a WHS prosecution. A random visit from the relevant WHS inspector to review your documentation and procedures could result in prosecution if they are inadequate.

What constitutes a breach of the WHS laws?

A breach occurs:

when an action is taken that places a person at risk of injury, illness or death, or
steps are not taken to avoid a risk situation from occurring, or
there is a failure to comply with regulatory requirements

Where to begin? Safety compliance applies to all parts of your business activities, even if they may be seen as low risk, and regardless of whether your business has had workplace incidents in the past or not.

So, where to start?

You will need to understand, and be able to demonstrate your understanding, of your responsibilities and obligations for providing a safe workplace
You will need to consult, and be able to demonstrate such consultation, with your employees about safety
You will need to show that you have identified hazards in your workplace
You will need to show that you have properly assessed the risks associated with hazards identified
You will need to be able to demonstrate that based on the risk assessment of identified hazards, appropriate controls using the ‘Hierarchy of Controls’ have been assessed and put in place
You will need to be able to demonstrate that you have informed, trained and supervised your staff
You will need to be able to demonstrate that safety was a consideration when buying materials and equipment
You will need to demonstrate how you manage incidents and injuries

How do you demonstrate such compliance? To be able to demonstrate WHS compliance and to meet your legal obligations under the relevant legislation, you will need to:

maintain appropriate records such as workplace inspections, safe work procedures, risk assessments, training, skills analysis, on-the-job training, maintenance and details of employee WHS training and induction
monitor, review and continuously improve existing safety initiatives and work practices
keep up to date with legislative changes

As an employer what are my responsibilities? Every employer has a duty of care to each employee to ‘ensure so far as is reasonably practicable that the employee is, while at work, safe from injury and risks to health’. This is a wide ranging responsibility that involves taking action to control risks associated with hazards in the workplace.

What about my employees’ responsibilities? Employees must take reasonable care to protect their own health and safety, as well as the health and safety of others that may be affected by their actions or omissions at work. An employee’s responsibility for health and safety extends to things they have control over – however, they must cooperate with the employer in ensuring health and safety in the workplace.

What is a hazard? A hazard is a situation that has the potential to harm a person. Hazards at work, for example, may include: noisy machinery, a moving forklift, chemicals, electricity, working at heights, a repetitive job, bullying and violence in the workplace, amongst many more.

What is a risk? A risk is the possibility that the harm (i.e. death, injury or illness) might occur when exposed to a hazard. It involves an assessment of the likelihood of the risk occurring as well potential harmful consequences.

What is risk control? Risk Control means taking action to eliminate the risks so far as is reasonably practicable, and, if that is not possible, minimising the risks so far as is reasonably practicable

What is involved in this risk control process? In carrying out this process, it is important to document and retain records of your assessment in the area where the hazards occur. This documentation process should include:

the completion of a Hazard Report Form
assessing and prioritising any risks using a Risk Management Matrix
completing a Risk Assessment Form
re-visiting and updating the Risk Assessment Form once reviews and controls have been put in place.

What is risk management? A safe and healthy workplace does not happen by chance or guesswork. Employers need to think about what could go wrong and what the consequences could be. Employers must then do whatever they can to eliminate or minimise health and safety risks identified.

This is known as Risk Management and involves:

Hazard and Associated Risk Identification
Risk Assessment
Risk Control
Monitoring and Review of Risk Control Measures

What are safe work procedures?...Why does your business need safe work procedures?

some work tasks and duties carry risks
these risks may be obvious – e.g. dangerous machinery – but others may not be as obvious – such as loading, unloading, packing, handling goods etc.
Safe work procedures help ensure your employees are aware of the issues in their work tasks, and provides procedures on how to avoid injury or illness while carrying out these tasks

Safe Work Procedures documents the risks associated with work tasks and includes procedures and controls for doing the tasks safely. They also provide a useful tool for training and supervising employees. They must be reviewed if an incident occurs and if there are changes in the workplace.

What incidents must be reported and who to? Fatalities, serious injuries and dangerous occurrences must all be reported to the relevant Work Health and Safety Authority, which will conduct an investigation. An investigation by the employer must be conducted and a record must be kept at the workplace of all injuries that occur.

When setting specific objectives, establishing support systems to achieve objectives, regular review of progress and evaluation of outcomes, let bO₂’s Tax, WHSmart Safety Essentials, HR/IR Smart Guides and Toolpacks show you the way! Our essentials tools include; employment contracts, performance management, HR templates, WHS templates, workers compensation management, employee termination management, HR policy forms, HR policy procedures, industrial relations consulting, WHS policies and HR compliance.

Ask our large team of experts Tax, HR/ IR or WHS questions and have them answered swiftly, so you don't lose time in making important decisions

To eliminate any misinterpretation and to ensure accuracy we request that ALL technical queries are in writing. Simply email, fax or write any Tax or workplace related queries and we will publish the answer in the next Free Bonus Newsletter.

If you have questions about your membership and prefer to speak to our dedicated team of support staff or want further consultation about our range of products and services? Please call us we’d be more than happy to assist.

Need a quick response to your workplace question?

bO2 WHSafety and HR/IR Essentials - members have access to an unlimited free research department where workplace queries will be answered by our team of experts via email within 48 Hrs.

bO2 Tax Essentials – “Standard” and “Premium” Members have access to an unlimited free research department. Simply email, fax or write any Tax related queries and we will publish the answer in the next Free Bonus Newsletter.

What are the advantages of a “Premium” membership?

The "Premium Package" has been created due to the overwhelming number of subscribers requesting personalised questions to be answered at very short notice via our " Research Department" ... your "Premium Package" allows you full access to this service ...

In addition to your unlimited "published" tax questions as a "Premium Package" subscriber you’ll receive:

2 x personalised "simple" tax queries answered by our team of experts via email within 48 Hrs

Need the support of an experienced professional?

Private consultation services are also available for an arranged fee and upon request to our members.

Our services provide the right information, when they need it, whether it is through our printed or online resources, or via our Research and consultative services.

Yes — All of our products are provided in fully editable Word format. You can modify the contents of each template where required to suit your specific business needs and those of your clients. We have tried to take care of the OHS / WHS compliance for most typical businesses however you may benefit from modifying the contents to suit your specific needs in non-typical situations.

If you require less detail then you can simply delete the relevant sections as all documents are easily customisable to suit your business as well as your clients and projects. It’s a simple drag-and-drop or cut and paste.

Yes, we do have a refund policy. Due to the nature of our products and the fact that they cannot be returned without trace we are unable to provide refunds. We are happy to provide as much information as you require to assist in the decision making process and we will work with you to advise the best solution for your business. We also provide free after sales phone support to assist you meet any specific needs.