Changes to JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments announced

Unions, including the ANMF, have been advocating on behalf of members for an extension of both the JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments. This week, the Federal Government announced changes to the payments which see an extension beyond the original 27 September 2020 date. Payments will now be available until 28 March 2021, however, there are some key changes, including to the reduction of payments and different tiers of payments. These changes may affect some ANMF Tasmanian Branch members, as such we have put together a summary of the key points below.

JobKeeper

Current payment:
$1500 per fortnight

Extended payment:

From 28 September 2020 –3 January 2021

Full Time Workers – $1200 per fortnight
Part Time /or Casual Workers employed less than 20 hours per week – $750 per fortnight

From 4 January 2021 – 28 March 2021

Full Time Workers – $1000 per fortnight
Part Time /or Casual Workers employed less than 20 hours per week – $650 per fortnight

Key points:

To be eligible for JobKeeper Payments under the extension, businesses and not-for-profits will still need to demonstrate that they have experienced a decline in turnover, the requirements for this are:
- 50 per cent for those with an aggregated turnover of more than $1 billion
- 30 per cent for those with an aggregated turnover of $1 billion or less
- 15 per cent for Australian Charities and Not for profits Commission-registered charities (excluding schools and universities)

JobSeeker

Current Payment:
$1100 per fortnight (including $560 payment and $550 COVID-19 supplement)

Extended payment:

From 25 September 2020 – 31 December 2020

Fortnightly payment of $810 (including $250 COVID-19 supplement)

1 January 2020 onwards

The new rate for JobSeeker will apply until December 2020, at which point the Federal Government will review and advise of possible changes and extensions.

Key points:

- The JobSeeker payment replaced the former Newstart unemployment payment when COVID-19 hit, at this time an additional $550 pandemic supplement was added, this supplement will reduce to $250 from 25 September 2020.
- The extended JobSeeker payment will allow recipients to earn $300 a fortnight before facing a reduction in the payment.
- Those on JobSeeker will be required to apply for more jobs as part of the program than initially required earlier in the pandemic, under a gradual return of mutual obligations. Failure to do so, may mean a loss of payment.

Please note that these details are correct as of 23 July 2020, however, are subject to change. We will endeavour to update this information as changes are announced but recommend that members also view the Australian Government website here

Updates correct as at 23 July 2020.
Authorised by Emily Shepherd, ANMF Tasmanian Branch Secretary

Need Assistance?

Please contact our Member Support Team if you would like to discuss any of the outlined issues or raise a concern. Alternatively, and you can send an email outlining your concerns to our team - membersupport@anmftas.org.au. Please note that due to the current COVID-19 situation, our Member Support Team is practicing social isolation measures and working from home. Bearing this in mind, email is the preferred and fastest way of contacting them, however, if your matter is urgent, please phone (03) 6223 6777 or 1800 001 241 if you are outside of Hobart.

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