The Federal Government recently announced the JobKeeper Payment scheme, which is designed to assist employers (and self-employed individuals) affected by the Coronavirus pandemic to continue to pay their workers.
The JobKeeper scheme has been well received and welcomed by all sectors of the economy. In fact, many employers have already contacted employees affected (including those who have been stood down without pay) to inform them that the employer will register for the JobKeeper scheme and make payments to employees from the first week of May 2020.
In some cases, employers have also contacted employees who had recently lost their job and have been receiving the JobSeeker Payment whilst not working. In these situations, where a former employee is re-hired, the JobKeeper Payment could offer the employee a greater fortnightly payment when compared to the JobSeeker Payment, for example, as follows:
- Under the JobKeeper Payment scheme – an eligible employee will receive (through their employer) minimum fortnightly salary income of $1,500.
- Under the JobSeeker Payment scheme – an eligible employee (assuming they are single with no children) would be expected to receive a fortnightly payment of up to $565.70 plus the $550 Coronavirus supplement (resulting in a total fortnightly payment of up to around $1,115). However, JobSeeker recipients may also be eligible for other Government entitlements.
Please note: the proposed JobKeeper Payment is not yet law, and The White office is not aware of any clear guidance provided by Federal or State Governments. Subscribe to our newsletter to keep posted.