JobKeeper Rules Changed
The eligibility for JobKeeper has now been updated to allow additional employees to become eligible from the 3rd of August.
The extended eligibility allows for employees who were employed on the 1st of July 2020 to become eligible. This has moved from the initial 1st of March 2020 date. This means the following employees will now become eligible to receive the $1,500 per fortnight minimum payment between the 3rd of August and 28th of September:
- you were employed by the eligible employer (or another entity in their wholly owned group), either as a
- non-casual employee (whether full-time, part-time or fixed-term)
- long-term casual employee (employed on a regular and systematic basis during the 12 month period that ended 1 July) and you were not a permanent employee of any other employer
- you were aged 18 years or older (if you were 16 or 17 you can also qualify if you were independent or not undertaking full time study on 1 July 2020)
- you 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
Eligible employees will be required to complete the a nomination form, available for download below, and return to their employer by the 21st of August (a current extension has been requested). Employees that have already nominated do not need to complete a new form and will remain eligible.
Employer’s will need to ensure they have paid newly eligible staff the minimum amount of $1,500 a fortnight for the fortnight commencing the 3rd of August. If a back payment is required to meet this condition Employers have until the 31st of August to pay these amounts to their employees.
More information to be released on JobKeeper 2.0 extension that will apply from the 27th of September at a later date.
If you have any questions about how this affects you or your employees please contact our office. 1300 204 781 or email info@mulcahy.com.au or directly to your normal Accountant/Clients Services Manager.