The Australian Government has introduced the JobKeeper Payment designed to help businesses affected by COVID-19 to cover the costs of their employees’ wages.
The Government will provide $1,500 per fortnight, per eligible employee, for up to 6 months as part of the $130 billion package. Employers must pass this payment on to their employees.

Eligibility:
Eligible employers include businesses structured through companies, partnerships, trusts and sole traders. Self-employed individuals and not-for-profit entities, including charities, will also be eligible.

The JobKeeper Payment is open to full-time, part-time and long-term casuals (employed on a regular basis for at least the last 12 months) and stood down employees. An employee must have been employed on 1 March 2020 and continue to be engaged by that employer. Employees that are re-engaged by the employer on 1 March 2020 will also be eligible.

Employers will be eligible for the JobKeeper Payment if:

• their business has a turnover of less than $1 billion and their turnover will be reduced by more than 30% relative to a comparable prior period (of at least a month); or
• their business has a turnover of $1 billion or more and their turnover will be reduced by more than 50% relative to a comparable prior period (of at least a month); and
• the business is not subject to the Major Bank Levy.

Self-employed individuals will be eligible to receive the JobKeeper Payment if they have suffered or expect to suffer a 30% decline in turnover relative to a comparable prior period (of at least a month).

Start Date:
The JobKeeper Payment will start on 30 March 2020, with the first payment to be received by employers in the first week of May.

Register:
Businesses must register their interest in participating in the Payment from 30 March 2020 on the ATO website

For more information for employers and employees: JobKeeper payment