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On 30 March 2020, the Federal Government announced the introduction of the JobKeeper Payment and it’s only natural to wonder, “Do I qualify for the JobKeeper Payment?”
BSc. Econ, BCom, MBus
Authorised Representatives of Millennium Three Pty Ltd
ABN 61 094 529 987
AFSL 244252
On 30 March 2020, the Federal Government announced the introduction of the JobKeeper Payment and it’s only natural to wonder, “Do I qualify for the JobKeeper Payment?” This payment is a wage subsidy paid by the Government to businesses significantly impacted by the Coronavirus. This will allow employers to continue paying their employees whether they are able to work or not. The Government will provide $1,500 per fortnight (pf) per employee for up to six months to eligible businesses. The business must pass on the payment to eligible employees.
The first payments will be paid to eligible businesses in the first week of May. If you are self-employed, you may also be eligible for the payments.
EMPLOYERS
If you are an employer, you are eligible for JobKeeper Payment if your business:
What are the employer requirements for the JobKeeper Payment?
To qualify for JobKeeper Payment the employer must:
SELF-EMPLOYED
If you are self-employed you can apply for the JobKeeper Payment if:
To apply, you can register your interest to receive the JobKeeper Payment as self-employed via www.ato.gov.au from 30 March 2020.
What are the self-employed requirements for the JobKeeper Payment?
If you are self-employed without any employees you will need to:
The ATO may assess eligibility using information provided in business activity statements, instalment activity statements, tax returns and single touch payroll systems.
What payments will eligible employees receive?
The following examples illustrate how the wage subsidies apply to payments to eligible employees, assuming the business qualifies for the JobKeeper Payment:
Example 1: Eligible employee who earns more than $1,500 per fortnight
Arthur is an eligible permanent full-time employee receiving a salary of $3,000 pf before tax and continues to be employed. Arthur will receive the same salary, however, the employer will receive $1,500 per fortnight JobKeeper Payment to partially subsidise Arthur’s salary as long as the business remains eligible. The business will continue to pay Superannuation Guarantee (SG) on Arthur’s income.
Example 2: Eligible employee who earns $1,500 or less per fortnight
Nora is a permanent part-time employee earning $1,000 pf before tax and continues to be employed. The business will increase her wages to $1,500 pf and will receive $1,500 pf which fully subsidises Nora’s salary. The business must pay SG on at least $1,000 of Nora’s income. It may choose to pay SG on the additional $500 pf Nora receives.
EMPLOYEES
If you are an employee, you are eligible for the JobKeeper Payment if:
How do you know if your employer is eligible?
If your employer is eligible, they will notify you and all other employees who will receive the JobKeeper Payment.
What will you receive?
If you’re an eligible employee, you will receive a minimum of $1,500 per fortnight, before tax.
Depending on your circumstances, you may receive $1,500 per fortnight in a number of different ways.
Will my employer still pay compulsory super contributions?
Your employer still needs to pay your compulsory super contributions known as the Superannuation Guarantee. However, your employer is not required to pay Superannuation Guarantee on any JobKeeper Payment that exceeds your original fortnightly pay.
For example, if your original fortnightly pay was $1,000 and you now receive the $1,500 fortnightly JobKeeper Payment, your employer is only required to pay Superannuation Guarantee on $1,000.
What are your obligations?
If you are an employee with one employer, you will not have any further obligations. However, you will have additional obligations if:
Q: Will I receive the JobKeeper Payment if I have multiple employers and I continue to be paid by one employer?
A: If you have multiple employers, only one employer will be eligible to receive the payment. You will need to notify your primary employer to claim the JobKeeper Payment on your behalf. If you claim the tax-free threshold with an employer, this will, in most cases be sufficient notification that the employer is your primary employer.
If your primary employer is eligible, you will receive the minimum JobKeeper Payment of $1,500 per fortnight from that employer.
Example – Michelle works multiple jobs
Michelle currently works two permanent part-time jobs, one at an art gallery during weekdays, and the other at the local café on the weekend. Due to the impact of the Coronavirus, the gallery has closed, and Michelle has been stood down without pay under the Fair Work Act. Michelle continues to work at the café delivering take-away orders. Michelle can only receive the JobKeeper Payment once, from the employer from whom she nominates as her primary employer. As Michelle only claims the tax-free threshold from her job at the art gallery, this will be treated as her nomination of the art gallery as her primary employer. Assuming the art gallery is eligible for the JobKeeper Payment, the art gallery will pass the JobKeeper Payment on to Michelle. So, she will receive $1,500 per fortnight before tax. During the application process, the art gallery will notify the ATO that Michelle receives the payment from them. The art gallery is also required to advise Michelle that she has been nominated to the ATO as an eligible employee to receive the payment. The café is not eligible to receive the JobKeeper Payment for Michelle. The income that Michelle receives from her job at the café does not change her entitlement to the JobKeeper Payment that she receives from the art gallery.
For further information about the JobKeeper Payment, employees should contact their employer or, if you’re self-employed or an employer, the ATO.
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