Extension of time to enrol for the JobKeeper scheme

JobKeeper Payment

The Tax Commissioner has extended the time to enrol for the initial JobKeeper periods, from 30 April 2020 until 31 May 2020.

If you enrol by 31 May you will still be able to claim for the fortnights in April and May, provided you meet all the eligibility requirements for each of those fortnights. This includes having paid your employees by the appropriate date for each fortnight.

For the first two fortnights (30 March – 12 April, 13 April – 26 April), the ATO will accept the minimum $1,500 payment for each fortnight has been paid by you even if it has been paid late, provided it is paid by 8 May 2020. If you do not pay your staff by this date, you will not be able to claim JobKeeper for the first two fortnights.

You can enrol and claim for JobKeeper earlier if you choose. For example, you can enrol by the end of April to claim JobKeeper payments for the two fortnights in April.

Update to JobKeeper rules

To ensure the integrity and the efficient operation of the JobKeeper Payment scheme, the Government is clarifying the operation of some rules:

  • employees employed through a special purpose entity, rather than an operating entity
  • charities and the treatment of government revenue
  • religious practitioners
  • ‘one in all in’ principles
  • full time students aged 16 and 17 years old
  • international aid organisations, and
  • universities.
The team at Omnis Group can assist with the enrolment and application process or you can apply via the Business Portal. If you would like our Business Accountants to process your enrolment and application for the JobKeeper payment (which includes the assessment of whether you are an Eligible Employer and maintaining a record so that if the ATO reviews your application, you have support) on your behalf you will be invoiced. For any JobKeeper queries, please do not hesitate to contact one of our team of Business Accountants in Perth on 08 9380 3555.

Related reading

JobKeeper payment subsidy open today

Source: JobKeeper Payment (2020). Available at: https://www.ato.gov.au/General/JobKeeper-Payment/ (Accessed: 28 April 2020).