JobKeeper Payment Explained

Spire Business Services Pty Ltd

6 years ago

The Government announced yesterday a JobKeeper Payment for businesses significantly impacted by the Coronavirus. This payment is a subsidy provided by the Federal Government that affected businesses can access to give them the ability to continue paying their employees. This payment will also be made available to the self-employed.

An Eligible business will be provided with $1,500 per fortnight per eligible employee for up to 6 months.

This subsidy will start on 30 March 2020.

Who is an Eligible Employer?

Turnover less than $1 billion and turnover has reduced by more than 30% relative to a comparable period a year ago
Turnover more than $1 billion and turnover has reduced by more than 50% relative to a comparable period a year ago
Employer is in an employment relationship with an eligible employee as at 1 March 2020 and the employee is currently engaged
Not-for-profit or self-employed/sole trader who meet the above turnover test

Who is an Eligible Employee?

Currently employed by the eligible employer (including stood down or re-hired)
Employed by the employer at 1 March 2020
Full-time, part-time or a long-term casual (a casual employed on a regular basis for more than 12 months)
16 years of age or older
An Australian citizen, the holder of a permanent visa, a Protected Special Category Visa Holder, a non-protected Special Category Visa Holder who has been residing continually in Australia for 10 years or more, or a Special Category (Subclass 444) Visa Holder
Not receiving the JobKeeper payment from another employer

How will it be paid?

$1,500 will be paid directly to the Eligible Employer for each Eligible Employee per fortnight.
The payments will be made to the employer monthly in arrears by the ATO
The Payment is before tax and employers can top up the payment if they wish to do so
Employees will be paid in the following manner:
- For an employee who usually receives $1,500 or more in income per fortnight before tax, they will continue to receive their regular income according to their current workplace arrangements. The JobKeeper Payment will assist their employer to continue operating by subsidising all or part of the income of their employees.
- For an employee who usually receives less than $1,500 in income per fortnight before tax, their employer must pay their employee a minimum $1,500 per fortnight, before tax.
- For employees who have been stood down, their employer must pay their employee a minimum $1,500 per fortnight, before tax.
- For employees who were employed on 1 March 2020, then ceased employment with their employer, and then been re-engaged by the same eligible employer, the employee will receive a minimum $1,500 per fortnight, before tax.

When will the first payments be paid by the ATO?

First payments will be paid to eligible employers by the ATO in the first week of May.

How does a business apply?

Businesses with employees can register their interest in the JobKeeper Payment from 30 March 2020 by following the below register link below.

Eligible employers who register will be able to apply for the subsidy via an online application and will need to identify the employees eligible for the JobKeeper payments.

Businesses without employees (self-employed/sole traders) can register their interest in the JobKeeper Payment from 30 March 2020 by also following the below register link.

Eligible businesses without employees who register will be able to apply online and will need to provide their ABN, nominate an individual to receive the payment and provide that individual’s Tax File Number and provide a declaration of their recent business activity.