Employee Obligations
Employees will receive a notification from their employer that they are receiving the JobKeeper Payment. The majority of employees will need to do nothing further, unless:
- An employee has multiple employers, in which case the employer which is the primary employer must be notified
- Employees who are not Australian citizens must notify their employer of their visa status, to allow their employer to determine if they are an eligible employee
- Employees currently in receipt of an income support payment should advise Services Australia of their change in circumstances either online or by phone
Under the JobKeeper Payment, businesses who are impacted by the Coronavirus will be able to access a wage subsidy from the Government to continue paying their employees. Eligible employees will receive a minimum of $1,500 per fortnight, before tax. It is up to the employer if they want to pay superannuation on additional wage paid because of the JobKeeper Payment.
Eligible Employees
Eligible employees are:
- Those who are currently employed by the employer (including those stood down or re-hired)
- Were employed by the employer as at 1st March 2020
- Includes full time, part time, or long-term casuals (employed more than 12 months)
- Must be 16 years of age
- Australian citizen, holder of a permanent visa, Protected Special Category VIsa Holder, non protected Special Category Visa Holder (resigning in Australia more than 10 years), or a Special Category (Subclass 444) Visa Holder; and
- Not in receipt of a JobKeeper Payment from another employer
Employees who receive the JobKeeper Payment from another employer must report their Jobkeeper Payment as income and their eligibility for payments from Services Australia may be affected.
Employees will be able to receive this payment in a number of different ways:
- If you ordinarily receive $1,500 or more in income per fortnight (before tax), you will continue to receive your regular income according to the prevailing workplace arrangements. The JobKeeper Payments will subsidise part or all of your income and will be paid to your employer.
- If you ordinarily receive less than $1,500 in income per fortnight (before tax), your employer must pay you a minimum of $1,500 per fortnight (before tax)
- If you have been stood down, your employer must pay you a minimum of $1,500 per fortnight (before tax)
- If you were employed on 1st March 2020, subsequently ceased employment and then were re-engaged by the same eligible employer, you will receive a minimum of $1,500 per fortnight (before tax)
Your employer will notify you if they are claiming the JobKeeper Payment on your behalf.
Additional Information
https://treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/jobkeeper
https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/
https://my.gov.au/LoginServices/main/login?execution=e1s1
Fact Sheets