Are you aware of the significant changes to the JobKeeper program? – We Can Help
We are able to assist in the following areas
- Register for JobKeeper (existing recipients do not need to reregister)
- Undertaking September 2020 & December 2020 Turnover testing
- Reviewing & Assessing employees eligibility status
- Undertaking the monthly turn over reporting to the ATO.
For help please contact our office on 03 8899 6399 or email info@thespheregroup.com.au,
together we can ensure your business receives the benefits it is entitled.
The Details
The JobKeeper program was originally due to run until the 27th of September however on the 21st of July 2020 the Federal Government announced that this program will continue for eligible business until the 28th March 2020.
As per the original program, businesses must be able to demonstrate that they have been financially impacted by the Coronavirus. With the new JobKeeper Extension, the affected businesses are required to complete further turnover tests to continue to receive the wage subsidy.
There has also been changes in the area of eligible employees, allowing for newly employed part time and full time workers who commenced work before 1 July 2020 to become eligible for the wage subsidy.
Jobkeeper 2.0
Runs from September 28 to January 3 2021.
The same fortnightly payment schedule as the first phase of the program will apply, including existing wage payment deadlines.
To be eligible for JobKeeper 2.0 payments, businesses must show an actual fall in turnover of at least 30% for the September 2020 quarter, including calculations of GST turnover for the September 2019 comparison quarter.
Under JobKeeper 2.0 there will be two tiers of payments, depending on how many hours’ staff have worked for in the past.
Under new guidance, eligible employees who worked 80 hours or more in the four weekly pay periods before either March 1 or July 1 (more than 20 hours per week) will receive the tier one rate, worth $1,200 per fortnight before tax.
All other eligible staff that do not meet this threshold will be paid under the second tier, worth $750 a fortnight.
Businesses are required to nominate the rate they are claiming for each eligible worker, but do not need to re-assess eligibility or gain additional permission for staff that are already being paid under the program.
As was the case under JobKeeper phase one, businesses are still required to meet the minimum wage condition (i.e. paying their workers first) before being reimbursed through the subsidy scheme.
JobKeeper 3.0
Runs from 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021.
JobKeeper 3.0 will be ostensibly the same as the second phase, albeit with lower payments:
- The first (higher) tier will be worth $1,000 per fortnight (workers greater than 20 hours per week); and
- The second (lower) tier will be worth $650 per fortnight.
This second extension will require businesses to demonstrate an actual fall in GST turnover of at least 30% in the December 2020 quarter against a comparable period in 2019.
