The original JobKeeper Payment scheme is ending on 27 September 2020 and the JobKeeper extension (“JobKeeper 2.0”) commences on 28 September 2020.
Whether you:
- Continue to qualify as an eligible employer (qualifying employer), or;
- Qualify as a legacy employer (existing eligible employer not eligible for JobKeeper 2.0 but still able to show a 10% decline), or;
- Employ non JobKeeper eligible employees; or
- Were eligible but will not be a qualifying or legacy employer after 28 September 2020;
…the QHA has developed several fact sheets and templates to explain the changes to members and assist them in communicating these to their employees.
JOBKEEPER 2.0 Q&A INFORMATION GUIDE
To view the PDF version, click HERE.
JOBKEEPER TEMPLATE MEMOS
As JobKeeper 2.0 approaches, the QHA understands that several employees are starting to ask their employers about payments after 27 September 2020.
To assist members, the QHA has developed two template Memos for adapting and adopting. The templates are:
- Employer Eligible for JobKeeper 2.0 – this template advises employees that the employer will qualify for JobKeeper 2.0, and provides details on the reduced payments per fortnight (down to $1,200 or $750 per fortnight) and how the payments will be calculated for employees who usually work less than 20 hours per week.
Click HERE to access - Employer Not Eligible for JobKeeper 2.0 – this template advises employees that JobKeeper payments will cease for the final JobKeeper period ending 27 September, and that employees will only be paid for work performed as rostered. There is an option is this template for Legacy employers to include information about JobKeeper Enabling Directions. Click HERE to access.
Both templates provide relevant information for employers to give their employees, relevant to whether they are qualifying employers, legacy employers, or employers that are neither.
Non-Qualifying and Non-Legacy Existing Eligible Employers
Employers should notify all eligible employees that JobKeeper payments will end from 28 September 2020 using the template Employer Not Eligible for JobKeeper 2.0 memo provided above.
Any full-time and part-time employees working reduced hours because of JobKeeper Enabling Stand Down Directions that can no longer be applied must be returned to their normal hours of work from 28 September 2020.
Schedule J
Schedule J of the Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020 (HIGA) applies to non JobKeeper employees and is currently due to cease operation on 27 September 2020. If Schedule J is not extended, then any full-time and part-time employees working reduced hours because of Schedule J must be returned to their normal hours of work from 28 September 2020.
The AHA is currently in discussions with United Worker’s Union about extending Schedule J – stay tuned for more information in the next couple of weeks.
JOBKEEPER 2.0 DIRECTIONS– TEMPLATE DOCUMENTS
The Employment Relations team is pleased to release its updated JobKeeper Directions related templates for Qualifying and Legacy employers.
To view the PDF version of the information document that contains the templates, click HERE. The WORD version can be downloaded HERE.
Qualifying Employers
Employers should determine which rate of payment will apply to part time and casual employees (refer to page 7 of the JobKeeper 2.0 Q&A Information Guide) and notify all eligible employees of the reduced rates of payment from 28 September 2020 using the template Employer Eligible for JobKeeper 2.0 memo provided above.
If your existing Directions have an expiry date, a new Direction will need to be issued to have effect after that expiry date- refer to pages 2-4 and attachments A-E on pages 10-18 of the in the JobKeeper 2.0 Directions– Template Documents
Legacy Employers
Employers should notify all eligible employees that JobKeeper payments will end from 28 September 2020 using the template Employer Not Eligible for JobKeeper 2.0 memo provided above.
Existing directions will automatically expire at midnight 28 September 2020. This means that legacy employers should commence consultation for replacement directions now (given the legacy test time date of the June quarter 2020); refer to pages 5-9 and attachments F-K on pages 19-28 of the in the JobKeeper 2.0 Directions – Template Documents
If directions are not lawfully implemented in a timely manner, then any full-time and part-time employees working reduced hours because of existing JobKeeper Enabling Stand Down Directions must be returned to their normal hours of work from 28 September 2020.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Financial QHA members seeking further advice or assistance should contact the Employment Relations team by calling 07 3221 6999 or emailing er@qha.org.au, sooner rather than later. If you leave it to the last minute to contact us for help, we may not be able to get to you in time.
