The JobKeeper scheme which has been in place since 30 March 2020, ended on 28 March 2021.
How does the end of JobKeeper impact my business?
On and from 29 March 2021:
- JobKeeper employee wage subsidies will cease, and qualifying and legacy employers will generally be unable to change their employees’ work hours, usual duties or place of work.
- Qualifying and legacy employers of full- and part-time employees need to be aware that they will no longer be able to make agreements or directions under the temporary provisions, and any agreements or directions made under them will become ineffective. Unless employers can rely on the Fair Work Act’s regular stand down provisions, further changes to work hours will require an employee’s consent and may be subject to requirements under relevant industrial instruments (eg a modern award or enterprise agreement).
- Qualifying and legacy employers of casual employees generally retain the right to unilaterally vary a casual employee’s work hours.
- For businesses that are still on JobKeeper, the reimbursement for March wages, claimed from 1st April will be the final payment received.
Key considerations for employers:
- Accordingly, employers will need to consider their workforce requirements and whether their business can accommodate all returning employees in a financially sustainable way.
For further information on the JobKeeper scheme, please refer to the ATO website.
