After much speculation and four long months since the first introduction of the JobKeeper stimulus package, the Federal Government has finally announced that the JobKeeper Scheme will be extended until 28 March 2021 (JobKeeper 2.0). The current JobKeeper package will continue on the same terms and conditions of $1,500 per fortnight per eligible employee until 27 September 2020. See below everything you need to know about JobKeeper 2.0.
Who is an eligible employee?
The same groups of employees will be eligible to receive JobKeeper, which are:
- Currently employed by an eligible employer (including stood down or rehired)
- Full time, part-time or fixed-term employee as 1 March 2020; or
- A long-term casual (regular and systematic basis for at least 12 months) as at 1 March 2020
- Self-employed, subject to the relevant turnover test, and are not a permanent employee of another employer
- Were aged 18 year or older as at 1 March 2020
- Australian resident
How much do I get per an employee, is it still $1500 per fortnight?
The new structure is different and the amount paid will depend on what type of employee you have and the payment period.
During 28 September 2020 – 3 January 2021
- Full time workers (anyone who work over 20 hours per week) who are eligible will receive a subsidy of $1,200
- Part time workers (anyone working 20 or less hours per week) who are eligible will receive $750.00
During 4 January 2021 – March 2021
- Full time workers (anyone who work over 20 hours per week) who are eligible will receive $1,000
- Part time workers (anyone working 20 or less hours per week) who are eligible will receive $650.00
I’m eligible for JobKeeper now, does that mean I automatically receive JobKeeper 2.0?
No there will be a new turnover test for each of the two periods of extension.
- To be eligible for the first JobKeeper Payment extension period (28 September 2020 to 3 January 2020) companies will need to demonstrate that their actual GST turnover has significantly fallen in the both June quarter 2020 and the September quarter 2020 relative to comparable periods such as 2019 quarters.
- To be eligible for the second JobKeeper Payment extension period (4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021) companies will need to demonstrate their actual GST turnover has significantly fallen in each of the June, September and December 2020 quarters relative to comparable periods such as 2019 quarters.
We are expecting further announcements about JobKeeper 2.0 soon and no doubt there will be further changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth). Once these are announced, we will provide you all with an updated summary, so stay tuned!
