6 things to know about today’s JobKeeper and JobSeeker announcements

By MiNDFOOD

6 things to know about today’s JobKeeper and JobSeeker announcements
The Australian Government has announced an extension to JobKeeper payments and changes to JobSeeker.

Here’s what you need to know about the new payment scheme.

Wage subsidy extended

The JobKeeper wage subsidy has been extended for six months until March 2021.

JobKeeper payments to be trimmed

From the end of September, the $1500 per fortnight payment will be reduced to $1200 for full-time workers, and to $750 per fortnight for people working fewer than 20 hours a week.

From January 2021, the full-time payment will be cut to $1000 per fortnight, and $650 for part-time workers.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg noted that initially introducing a flat $1500 JobKeeper payment meant some recipients had received more under JobKeeper than they earned pre-COVID. “The two-tiered payment better reflects the pre-COVID income of these recipients,” he said.

Eligibility rules to be tightened

Frydenberg announced that JobKeeper would be extended “for those businesses that need it most”. To remain eligible for JobKeeper payments, businesses will need to prove they have experienced a significant decline in turnover using actual GST turnover rather than projected GST turnover.

“Employers will need to demonstrate that they have met the relevant decline in turnover in both the June and September quarters to be eligible for the JobKeeper payment in the December quarter,” Frydenberg said.

“And employers will need to demonstrate that they have met the relevant decline in each of the previous three quarters ending on 31 December 2020 to remain eligible for the payment in the March quarter 2021.”

JobSeeker payments to be trimmed

Welfare payments will be reduced, but will remain higher than those paid before the coronavirus pandemic. From the end of September, the coronavirus supplement will be reduced from $550 to $250, which means people on the programme will receive $815 a fortnight after September.

JobSeeker mutual obligations reinstated

From 4 August, mutual obligation requirements will be restarted for those on JobSeeker. That means people will be required to look for at least four jobs in a month. Penalties will apply if people refuse a job that has been offered through the employment services process.

“So, if there is a job to be taken and a job that is being offered, then it is an obligation, a mutual obligation, for those who are on JobSeeker to take those jobs where they’re on offer,” Prime Minister Scott Morrison said.

Part-timers on JobKeeper can also apply for JobSeeker

The government says people on JobKeeper tier 2 earning $750 can apply to receive additional funds under JobSeeker. They’ll need to meet mutual obligation requirements.

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