The Federal Government's JobKeeper Package
The JobKeeper Payment is a subsidy for eligible businesses impacted by COVID-19 to cover the cost of their employees’ wages so that more employees can retain their jobs and continue to earn an income. Businesses that have experienced a 30% reduction in turnover may be eligible for the subsidy.
Employers Affected employers will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum period of 6 months.
Timing: The subsidy started on 30 March 2020, with the first payments to be received by employers in the first week of May. Businesses can register their interest on the Australian Taxation Office website. For more information about the payment and eligibility for employers and employees, visit the Australian Government Treasury website.
JobKeeper Q and A for eligible employees
The Victorian Employment Rights Legal Centre has developed a Q and A for eligible employees which provides a useful guide from an employee perspective (noting it is not specifically tailored to the South Australian employment conditions. http://jobwatch.org.au/jobkeeper-payment-scheme-qa/