JobKeeper Rules change

JobKeeper has been extended until 28 March 2021 but with new rules in relation to payment rates and business eligibility.

JobKeeper Payment Rates

The JobKeeper payment rate is to be reduced at a sliding scale over two periods.  Different rates apply for full-time and part-time employees

Employees Working more than 20 Hours a Week

• $1,200 per fortnight from 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021
• $1,000 per fortnight from 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021.

Employees Working Less than 20 Hours a Week

• $750 per fortnight from 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021
• $600 per fortnight from 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021.

Business Eligibility

The basic test is that GST turnover for the turnover test period falls short of GST turnover for the relevant comparison period by 30%.

The test was previously based on projected GST turnover.  However, the rules have changed with effect from 28 September 2020 so that actual, rather than projected GST, turnover apply.

For the period 28 September 2020 to 3 January 2021 eligibility will be based on actual GST turnover in both the June and September quarters 2020.

For the period 4 January 2021 to 28 March 2021, businesses must demonstrate that they have met the relevant decline in for each of the previous three quarters ie June, September and December quarters 2020.

Sole Trader

Sole traders are entitled the JobKeeper payment if they:

• meet the conditions of an eligible entity; and
• are an eligible business participant.

Where a sole trader operates multiples businesses they are only eligible for one JobKeeper payment.