Australia’s JobKeeper Payment Explained

Australia’s JobKeeper Payment As an economic response to the pandemic, the Australian government enacted an AUD $130 billion JobKeeper payment scheme. According to the government website, an estimated six million workers will receive payments of $1,500 (before tax) every two weeks through their employer. The JobKeeper Payment is open to eligible businesses, not-for-profits and the self-employed who can enroll at ato.gov.au.

Australia JobKeeper employer eligibility

Companies are eligible if the business:

  • Has an aggregated turnover less than AUD $1 billion (for income tax purposes) and estimate their GST turnover fell or will likely fall by 30% or more; or
  • Has an aggregated turnover of AUD $1 billion or more (for income tax purposes) and they estimate their GST turnover fell or will likely fall by 50% or more.

Learn more from this employer JobKeeper FAQ.

Australia JobKeeper employee eligibility

Employees are eligible if they:

  • Are currently employed by an eligible employer (including stood down or re-hired)
  • Were for the eligible employer either:
    • Full-time, part-time or fixed-term employees at March 1, 2020; or
    • Long-term casual employee (employed on a regular and systematic basis for at least 12 months) as at March 1, 2020 and not a permanent employee of any other employer.
  • Were age 18 or older as of March 1, 2020
  • Were 16 or 17 to qualify for fortnights before May 11, 2020, and continue to qualify after that if they are independent or not undertaking full time study.
  • Were either:
    • An Australian resident (within the meaning of the Social Security Act 1991)
    • An Australian resident for the purpose of the Income Tax Assessment Act 1936 and the holder of a Subclass 444 (Special Category) visa as at March 1, 2020
  • Were not in receipt of any of these payments during the JobKeeper fortnight:
    • Government parental leave or Dad and partner pay under the Paid Parental Leave Act 2010
    • A payment in accordance with Australian worker compensation law for an individual’s total incapacity for work.

Learn more from this employee JobKeeper FAQ.

 

Asinta’s Australian Partner, CA Financial, provided this coronavirus update for employers in Australia