Employment Law: COVID-19 & JobKeeper

The Australian government has introduced the JobKeeper program to mitigate the effects on the economy due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The JobKeeper allows employers to retain its workforce and employees by paying an amount of $1,500 per fortnight before tax.  The employees retain their employment relationship with the employer and the payments are made through the ATO and the employer rather than Centrelink.

An employer needs to enrol in the program, and both the employer and the employees have to be eligible according to the criteria specified by the government.

Superannuation wil continue to be paid for the employee, however legislation is still being formulated in this space.

If you are an employer or employee with questions about the legislation that has been passed recently, please contact Ivan Kent of our office to obtain clear and pragmatic advice in this new environment.