The Coronavirus Economic Response Package (JobKeeper Payments) was recently passed by Parliament which will extend the Federal Government’s JobKeeper Scheme to 28 March 2021.
The main changes to JobKeeper 2.0 are:
- the need for employers to test their eligibility to receive JobKeeper payments for the period 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021 and then again re-test their eligibility for the period 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021;
- the decline in turnover must now be calculated on actual turnover on a quarterly basis; and
- the introduction of a two-tiered payment system for employees.
To ensure eligibility for JobKeeper 2.0, employers should:
- Ensure accounting records are in order and are up to date by early October. Noting, eligibility is based on actual results for the quarter ending 30 September 2020.
- Keep all accounting records up to date to ensure eligibility for the second quarter, which is based on actual results for the quarter ending 31 December 2020.
- Compile payroll records for eligible employees and check the number of hours they worked on average during the relevant periods prior to 1 March 2020 and 1 July 2020.
- Ensure the minimum wage condition is met based on the higher or lower rate (as appropriate).
Members who would like an excellent summary of the changes and, your obligations under the scheme, a link to a first-rate summary published by accountancy and consulting network, Moore Australia, can be found by logging into the Members Only area of the ACWA website and following the left-hand navigation to COVID resources https://acwa.net.au/members.
