CEO of Jobfind, Anthony Parsons, has welcomed the JobKeeper Payment package announced by the Prime Minister, Scott Morrison on Monday.
“This package will bring comfort to our job seekers in both jobactive and Disability Employment Services who are currently employed but whose jobs could have been at risk because of the coronavirus outbreak,” Mr Parsons said.
“The $1500 fortnightly payment to employers for every staff member is a massive boost to businesses and a great initiative.”
Under the JobKeeper Payment, businesses impacted by the coronavirus will be able to access the fortnightly payments from 30 March 2020, for a maximum period of six months.
This assistance will help businesses to keep people in their jobs and re-start when the crisis is over. For employees, this means they can keep their job and earn an income – even if their hours have been cut.
“Some of our most vulnerable and disadvantaged job seekers who are in employment would have found it challenging, if not impossible, to find alternative employment in this current labour market without the package,” Mr Parsons said.
“They have been given a life-line for six months.
“With the support Jobfind staff are personally providing our clients and employers during this difficult time, we anticipate that our job seekers in employment will be able to continue to remain positive, financially independent and look forward to when the crisis is over.”
Eligible employees are employees who:
- are currently employed by the eligible employer (including those stood down or re-hired);
- were employed by the employer at 1 March 2020
- are full-time, part-time, or long-term casuals (a casual employed on a regular basis for longer than 12 months as at 1 March 2020)
- are at least 16 years of age
- are an Australian citizen, the holder of a permanent visa, a Protected Special Category Visa Holder, a non-protected Special Category Visa Holder who has been residing continually in Australia for 10 years or more, or a Special Category (Subclass 444) Visa Holder
- are not in receipt of a JobKeeper Payment from another employer.
Employers are eligible to access the payments if their business has been reduced by 30-50%.
Mr Parsons said the decision to lift the partner income test threshold from $48,000 to $79,000 for people applying for Centrelink would allow more Australians to access financial support.
You can read more in the Government Fact Sheets
Employees Employers
