Today, the Federal Government announced changes to the JobKeeper and JobSeeker payments that may impact HACSU members. We’ve distilled the changes for you below:

JobKeeper – currently $1500 per fortnight

from September 28th 2020 – 4th January 2021:

• Full Time Workers will receive $1200 per fortnight
• Part Time / Casual (less than 20 hours per fortnight) will receive $750 per fortnight

from January 4th 2021 – 28th March 2021*:

• Full Time Workers will receive $1000 per fortnight
• Part Time / Casual (less than 20 hours per fortnight) will receive $650 per fortnight

*Employers’ finances will again be tested to ensure that the business has met criteria related to a loss of revenue.

JobSeeker – currently $1100 per fortnight (including $560 payment plus $550 COVID-19 Supplement)

from September 28th 2020 – December 2020:

• Fortnightly payment of $560
• $250 COVID-19 Supplement (reduced from $550)

From September 28th, the income free area for those accessing JobKeeper will increase to $300 per fortnight, meeting that you can work and earn up to $300 before your JobKeeper payment is affected.

The Government has also reintroduced ‘mutual obligation’ which means that to receive JobKeeper, from September, you will also need to prove that you are applying for jobs.

New rate for JobSeeker will apply until December, at which time the Prime Minister has advised there will be a review and possible extension.

A reminder, these changes will not come into effect until the end of September, so we will bring members further clarification when we are able. Members can contact us with any questions you may have and we will compile these to seek clarification when we are able. Please note, given the changes are not imminent, we may take some time to get back to, as we may need to attend to more urgent enquiries and we appreciate your patience are we get information to members as soon as we can.

In unity,

HACSU.

Sharing is caring. Click here to print a copy for your workplace noticeboard.