Jobkeeper payment comes into play today

The professional services industry has more companies seeking access to  JobKeeper funds than any other sector.

More than 800,000 companies have registered interest in the government scheme, which can then be distributed to laid-off and furloughed employees, giving around six million Australians $1,500 per fortnight.

Law firms, accounting firms, consulting companies, science labs and other professional services companies make up 14.4 per cent of the companies seeking the government funds.

Construction businesses make up 13.3 per cent, health care companies 9.8 per cent and retail businesses represent 7.3 per cent of interested companies.

Accommodation and food services make up 6.8 per cent while arts and recreation services make up 4.2 per cent.

These sectors have a large percentage of casual employees, who are not eligible for the payments unless they have been with one employer for a year.

Brian Mitchell, federal Labor MP for Lyons in Tasmania, said: ‘Far too many Australians are missing out on the income assistance they need.’ 

The ATO analysis, seen by news.com.au, only shows the number of companies that have applied from each industry – not the number of workers that will benefit.  

Construction businesses make up 13.3 per cent of companies that have expressed interest in JobKeeper. Pictured: Construction workers in Sydney

Retail businesses represent 7.3 per cent of interested companies after thousands of shops were forced to shut their doors. Pictured: The store front of Just Jeans is seen on March 26

Retail businesses represent 7.3 per cent of interested companies after thousands of shops were forced to shut their doors. Pictured: The store front of Just Jeans is seen on March 26

Law firms, accounting firms, consulting companies, science labs and other professional services companies make up 14.4 per cent of expressions of interest in the scheme

Stock image of an accountant

Law firms, accounting firms, consulting companies, science labs and other professional services companies make up 14.4 per cent of expressions of interest in the scheme

Applications for the JobKeeper scheme open today. Companies that had taken a revenue hit of at least 30 per cent due to the coronavirus lockdown can apply for $1,500 per fortnight for each of their workers. 

Businesses with annual revenue over $1billion have to suffer a revenue reduction of 50 per cent to qualify.

That includes James Packer’s casino empire Crown Resorts, which has expressed interest in the scheme after laying off 20,000 staff while its properties sit idle.

The money will be paid by the ATO to companies in the first week of May and must be passed on to employees. 

Company expressions of interest in JobKeeper by industry 

Professional services: 14.4 per cent

Construction: 13.3 per cent  

Other services: 9.9 per cent 

Health care and social assistance: 9.8 per cent

Transport, post and warehouse: 8.8 per cent 

Retail: 7.3 per cent 

Workers will be told by their boss if their company intends to apply for the JobKeeper payment. All employees have to do is fill out a form making a claim and the employer does the rest. 

The scheme will pay the wages of an estimated six million Australians until the end of September.  

The $130 billion policy is designed to tide over workers until the economy rebounds, and keeps them tethered to their employers.

On Sunday New South Wales recorded six new cases of coronavirus, Victoria recorded one case and Queensland had no new cases as Australia continues to ‘flatten the curve’ of the infection rate.

It comes as the fate of Virgin Australia remains up in the air, with New South Wales government offering a bailout if it relocates its headquarters to the under-construction airport at Badgery’s Creek in Sydney’s outer west.

The Queensland government too has offered a $200 million lifeline provided Virgin retain its Brisbane headquarters.

Businesses with revenue over $1billion have to suffer a revenue reduction of 50 per cent to qualify. That includes James Packer's casino empire Crown Resorts, which has expressed interest in the scheme after laying off 20,000 staff.

Businesses with revenue over $1billion have to suffer a revenue reduction of 50 per cent to qualify. That includes James Packer’s casino empire Crown Resorts, which has expressed interest in the scheme after laying off 20,000 staff.

Health care and social assistance companies make up 9.8 per cent of businesses interested in JobKeeper. Private hospitals have been struggling since elective surgery was banned

Health care and social assistance companies make up 9.8 per cent of businesses interested in JobKeeper. Private hospitals have been struggling since elective surgery was banned 

Virgin is carrying about $5 billion in debt and its domestic and international business has been decimated by the travel bans instituted because of coronavirus.

The carrier has been seeking federal government help but the Morrison government has rejected its request for $1.4 billion, saying Virgin Australia’s rich owners – including Etihad and Singapore Airlines – should be provided a bailout and not taxpayers.

What do employees need to do? 

1. Your employer will notify you if they intend to claim the JobKeeper fortnightly payment of $1,500 on your behalf. If you have multiple employers you must chose one and ask them to claim JobKeeper on your behalf.

2. Complete the JobKeeper employee nomination notice provided by your chosen and agreed employer and return it to them as soon as possible. The form captures simple information to confirm who you are and that you choose to be nominated by them.

3. If you claim JobSeeker you need to cancel it by contacting Services Australia. You cannot claim both JobKeeper and JobSeeker. 

You will not be paid the JobKeeper payment by the ATO. The payment comes from your employer who is later reimbursed by the ATO. Tax will be withheld from the payment so you may receive less than $1,500 in your bank account.     

Applications for the JobKeeper payment open today after more than 800,000 businesses expressed interest. Pictured: Lines at Centrelink in Sydney last week

Applications for the JobKeeper payment open today after more than 800,000 businesses expressed interest. Pictured: Lines at Centrelink in Sydney last week

Large companies that have laid off workers. Total: 124,995

 • Qantas 20,000.

• Crown 20,000 (Crown estimates it has 4,000 small businesses that depend on it).

• Myer 10,000.

• Premier Investments 9,000.

• Star Entertainment 8,100.

• Virgin 8,000.

• ALH Group 8,000.

• Mosaic Group 6,800.

• Country Road Group 5,000.

• Accent Group 4,500.

• Flight Centre 3,800.

• Pacific Brands 3,000.

• Michael Hill 2,500.

• Adairs 1,800.

• Helloworld 1,575.

• Uniqlo 1,500.

• Kathmandu 1,300.

• Sussan Group 1,300.  

• H&M 1,300.

• Viva Leisure 1,002.

• Lovista 800.

• RM William 709.

• Freedom Furniture 700.

• Tabcorp 700.

• Woodside 650.

• Opera Australia 600.

• Webjet 440.

• Kikki.k 440.

• Foxtel 340.

• Colette 210.

• KPMG 200.

• Hutchinson Builders 200.

• Manly Fast Ferry and Captain Cook Cruises 180.

• Santos 150.

• Kresta 130.

• Harris Scarfe 59. 

Now NSW has stepped in, with Treasurer Dominic Perrottet telling Sky News on Sunday night it was considering offering support and pointing to the new aerotropolis being built at Badgerys Creek in western Sydney.

‘Virgin should have their headquarters for both Virgin and Tiger in Sydney,’ Mr Perrottet said. Tiger Air is owned by Virgin Australia.

‘I’m always open for businesses right across the country to relocate to New South Wales and create jobs here in our state, particularly when you look at the aerotroplis in western Sydney.

‘It provides a significant opportunity for Virgin and other airlines to relocate to our state.’ 

The Queensland government has called on Prime Minister Scott Morrison to bail out Virgin to keep it alive so 5,000 jobs can be kept in Queensland.    

WHAT IS THE $130BILLION JOBKEEKER PACKAGE?

JOBKEEPER SUPPORT PLAN

* Workers will get $1500 per fortnight through their employers

* It’s equal to about 70 per cent of the median wage

* Total cost of $130 billion for a six-month period

WHO CAN GET IT?

* It applies to full and part-time workers, as well as sole traders

* Casual workers will get it if they’ve been on the books for 12 months or more

* Workers stood down since March 1 are eligible

* Six millions Australians are expected to benefit

* Kiwis on 444 visas will also get the payment

WHICH COMPANIES CAN APPLY?

* Those with turnovers that have fallen by at least 30 per cent

* For businesses with annual turnovers of more than $1 billion, that must have fallen by 50 per cent or more

* It also applies to not-for-profits

* Companies can register on the tax office website

WHEN WILL PAYMENTS START?

* From May and backdated to March 30

* Parliament will reconvene to pass the underpinning legislation

– Australian Associated Press

 

Read more at DailyMail.co.uk