JobKeeper Payment provides $1500 per fortnight

JobKeeper Payment provides $1500 per fortnight per eligible employee including sole traders

The Australian Government has introduced a JobKeeper Payment of $1,500 per fortnight, per eligible employee, for up to 6 months as part of a $130 billion package to support the wages of up to 6 million Australians throughout the coronavirus crisis. 

The JobKeeper Payment started on 30 March 2020, with the first payment to be received by employers in the first week of May.  Employers must pass this payment on to their employees. 

Eligible employers include businesses structured through companies, partnerships, trusts and sole traders. Not-for-profit entities, including charities, will also be eligible.

Self-employed individuals are also eligible to receive the JobKeeper Payment. 

Employers must elect to participate in the scheme. You can do this at: https://www.ato.gov.au/general/gen/JobKeeper-payment/ 

To be eligible, an employee must have been on the employer’s books on 1 March 2020 and continue to be engaged by that employer. 

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

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

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.

For more information, download the JobKeeper fact sheet or read the Prime Minister’s media statement