by Ben Spiers
The current JobKeeper scheme runs until 27th September 2020, however the Government has extended the JobKeeper payments by a further 6 months, to March 2021, providing additional support for businesses that continue to be impacted by COVID-19.
Whilst many businesses have been able to redesign the delivery of their product or service to their clients, many are still struggling. So, what does this mean for you as an employee or an employer?
Businesses need to re-qualify
Businesses need to qualify for the next stage of JobKeeper, running from 28th September – 3rd January 2021. The decline in turnover test remains essentially the same, however, the decline will now be based on the actual GST turnover for the September quarter (July, August, September) relative to a comparable period (generally the corresponding quarter in 2019).
To be eligible for JobKeeper from 4th January – 28th March 2021, businesses will again need to test their decline in turnover, in this case, for the December quarter (October, November, December) relative to a comparable period (generally the corresponding quarter in 2019).
In cases where the comparable period is not reasonable (new business, sold or bought a business, or other circumstances), please contact us to discuss what alternative tests may be available to determine eligibility.
Payment Rates are changing
Businesses will need to determine how many hours per week on average employees have worked in the 4 weekly pay periods prior to either 1 March or 1 July 2020. This will enable them to determine which payment rate applies to each employee, and this will need to be nominated when registering.
From 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021, the JobKeeper Payment rates will be:
- $1,200 per fortnight for all eligible employees who were working in the business or not- for-profit for 20 hours or more a week on average in the four weeks of pay periods before either 1 March 2020 or 1 July 2020, and for eligible business participants who were actively engaged in the business for 20 hours or more per week on average; and
- $750 per fortnight for other eligible employees and business participants.
From 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021, the JobKeeper Payment rates will be:
- $1,000 per fortnight for all eligible employees who were working in the business or not- for-profit for 20 hours or more a week on average in the four weeks of pay periods before either 1 March 2020 or 1 July 2020, and for business participants who were actively engaged in the business for 20 hours or more per week on average; and
- $650 per fortnight for other eligible employees and business participants.
Eligible Employees
Have you employed someone since 1st March or have a casual employee that was ineligible because they hadn’t work for your business for over 12 months? They may now be eligible.
For the fortnights commencing 3rd August, an employee may be eligible if they were employed at 1st July and satisfied the other eligibility criteria. This is relevant for both the current JobKeeper payments as well as the extended period.
If you have any questions about your current eligibility or potential eligibility for the extended periods, then please get in touch with us on (08) 8333 3666, reception@leegreen.com.au or your usual contact.
This information is current at the time of publication 17/8/2020 and further updates may have occurred since that date. Please contact us for the latest information or refer to https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus
