Australian and Queensland Governments COVID-19 support and information

Under the JobKeeper Payment, businesses significantly impacted by the coronavirus outbreak will be able to access a subsidy from the Government to continue paying their employees.

The Government will provide $1,500 per fortnight per employee until 27 September 2020 to eligible small and now medium-sized businesses as well. From 28 September 2020, the payment will be reduced to $1,200 per fortnight. From 4 January 2021, the payment will be reduced to $1,000 per fortnight until the end of the JobKeeper payment scheme in March 2021.

How to apply:

Employers can register their interest at any time.

From 28 September 2020, businesses and not-for-profits will be required to reassess their eligibility with reference to their actual GST turnover in the June and September quarters to demonstrate they have met the relevant decline in both quarters.

Eligible employers will be able to apply for the scheme by means of an online application. The first payment will be received from the ATO in the first week of May.

For more information visit the Coronavirus information and support for business webpage.

The Government will provide $1,500 per fortnight per employee for up to 6 months to eligible businesses.

Eligibility

• their business has a   turnover of less than $1 billion and their turnover will be reduced by more   than 30 per cent relative to a comparable period a year ago (of at least a month); or
• their business has a turnover   of $1 billion or more and their turnover will be reduced by more than 50   percent relative to a comparable period a year ago (of at least a month).

How to apply:

Sole Traders/Self-employed can register their interest from 30 March 2020

Eligible employers will be able to apply for the scheme by means of an online application. The first payment will be received from the ATO in the first week of May.

For more information visit the Coronavirus information and support for business webpage.

This will be automatically applied on your business electricity bills.

For more information download the Electricity Relief For Households And Businesses Q&A factsheet.

• Payroll tax   support for QLD businesses affected by the coronavirus (COVID-19)
• Fees and charges   relief for tourism operators and hospitality providers impacted by COVID-19
• Matched funding   for QLD agriculture, food and fishing exporters affected by the COVID-19   outbreak
• Low interest   loans of up to $250,000 for carry on finance with an initial 12-month   interest free period for businesses to retain staff

• a   short term, temporary moratorium on eviction for non-payment of   rent to be applied across commercial tenancies impacted by severe rental   distress due to coronavirus
• tenants   and landlords are encouraged to agree on rent relief or temporary amendments   to the lease
• the   reduction or waiver of rental payment for a defined period for impacted   tenants
• the   ability for tenants to terminate leases and/or seek mediation or conciliation   on the grounds of financial distress
• commercial   property owners should ensure that any benefits received in respect of their   properties should also benefit their tenants in proportion to the economic   impact caused by coronavirus
• landlords   and tenants not significantly affected by coronavirus are expected to honour   their lease and rental agreements
• cost-sharing   or deferral of losses between landlords and tenants, with Commonwealth, state   and territory governments, local government and financial institutions to   consider mechanisms to provide assistance

Commercial tenants, landlords and financial institutions are encouraged to talk about short term agreements.

More information about this will be available this week.

Visit business.gov.au for updated information.

The Government has set aside an initial $1 billion allocation to support those regions and communities that have been disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of the Coronavirus, including those heavily reliant on industries such as:

• tourism
• agriculture
• education

For more information visit the Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries webpage.

The Boosting Cash Flow for Employers provides eligible employees with tax-free payments to help cover the costs of employee wages.  These payments are equal to 50% of PAYG Withholding withheld from salaries and wages paid between 1 January 2020 to 30 June 2020 up to a maximum of $25,000 (over the 6 months).  
How to receive this grant:
The payment will be delivered by the ATO as a credit in the activity statement from 28 April 2020 upon lodging eligible activity statements. Where the applied credit puts the business into a refund position, the ATO will deliver the refund within 14 days.

For more information visit the Australian Government - Boosting cash flow for employers webpage.

Please note:

• The apprentice or trainee must have been in training with your business at 1 March 2020
• Employers of any size that re-engage an eligible out-of-trade apprentice or trainee will have access to this subsidy

How to receive this subsidy:

• Register for the subsidy from early April 2020.
• Final claims must be lodged by 31 December 2020
• Please contact Apprenticeship Support for more information on how to apply and eligibility criteria.

For more information visit the Supporting apprentices and trainees webpage.

You may be eligible if:

1. You are an employer who pays $6.5 million or less in Australian wages and;
2. Your current turnover, profit, customers, bookings, retail sales or other factors have been directly or indirectly affected by COVID-19.

How to apply:

Please see the following link where, if eligible, you can complete the online payroll tax deferral application form.

Jobs Finder Queensland – Support for Jobseekers

Queensland Government has rolled out a new portal for people whose employment has been impacted by COVID-19 and are looking for work.

You can register your details to be matched with suitable job opportunities in priority job sectors.

Visit the Queensland Government website for more details.

Free online TAFE courses

TAFE Queensland has skill sets and micro-credentials in a range of different courses available online.

To qualify, you must be a Queensland resident, and a job seeker or worker impacted by COVID-19.

Visit TAFE Queensland for more information.

Worker Transition scheme and rapid response

The Worker Transition Scheme and rapid response provides a suite of information and support services for those workers who may find themselves without work as a result of business closures or redundancy programs.

For help in accessing the appropriate services, call 13 QGOV (13 74 68).

Visit the Queensland Government website for more information.

Changes to temporary work visa arrangements

The Federal Government has issued a series of changes to temporary visa holders in response to current events.

Visit the Australian Government website for more information.

JobKeeper payment

Employers may be eligible to access a subsidy if they are unable to keep you on payroll due to COVID-19.

If you have been stood down or recently lost your job due to COVID-19, talk to your employer to see if this subsidy would allow them to re-engage you until business restrictions are lifted.

If you are currently on JobKeeper payments, payments will be extended from October 2020 to March 2021. The rate of $1,500 per fortnight will be reduce to $1,200 per fortnight starting from 28 September 2020, as well as a reduced rate for participants who worked fewer than 20 hours per week. Starting 4 January 2020, the rate will be reduced to $1,000 per fortnight.

For more information, go to business.gov.au.

Supporting apprentices and trainees wage subsidy

If you are an apprentice/trainee and worried about employment, your employer may be eligible to receive a 50% subsidy for wages to retain you as an apprentice/trainee. These subsidy wages will be extended until 28 March 2021.

Medium-sized businesses will be eligible for this in addition to the small businesses currently eligible. These subsidies will also be available to employers who re-engage eligible apprentices that were displaced.

Find out more about this from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment.

Support for individuals and households

You may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government. This includes:

• Income support payments and a new, time-limited coronavirus supplement of $550 per fortnight or existing and new recipients of the JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit.
• Up to 2 separate $750 payments if you receive social security, veteran and other income support, or hold an eligible concession card.
• Early release of up to $10,000 of your superannuation in 2019–20, and a further $10,000 in 2020–21.

For more information, visit the Australian Government website.

The Government has set aside an initial $1 billion allocation to support those regions and communities that have been disproportionately affected by the economic impacts of the Coronavirus, including those heavily reliant on industries such as:

• tourism
• agriculture
• education

For more information visit the Assistance for affected regions, communities and industries webpage.

How to receive this payment:

• This payment will be paid automatically from 31 March 2020 by Services Australia or Department of Veterans’ Affairs.

Please view the following link detailing who is eligible to receive this payment.

• Stimulus payments to households to support growth (PDF)

Seek help to reduce your expenses

If you have lost your job, or are worried about losing your job, it makes sense to reduce your expenses where possible. Queensland Government and organisations are moving to help people achieve this.

• Rental evictions on hold – State and territory   governments will be moving to put a temporary ban on evictions for 6 months   for commercial and residential tenancies affected financially by COVID-19.
• Relief for residential tenants – If you are   homeless or at imminent risk of becoming homeless, you may be eligible for a   crisis payment of up to $500/week for up to 4 weeks.
• Call your bank – If you need flexibility with finance,   loan, and debt, talk to your bank sooner versus later.
• Utility assistance – The Queensland Government is aiding   households through a $200 utility payment to assist with   electricity and water bills this year.
• If you are struggling or in crisis, get help from moneysmart.gov.au to help with financial counselling.

Job searching and career guidance

In addition to job seeking websites, there are a variety of government-based support services available:

• Centrelink
• Disability Employment Service
• Jobactive and Jobsearch
• Labour hire
• What’s Next
• My Skills

Understand your rights and entitlements as an employee. Find out about:

• Flexible working arrangements
• Leave entitlements
• Awards and wages
• Workplaces conditions, health, and safety.

If you believe you have been unfairly dismissed by your employer, contact the Fair Work Commission.

Mental health support

If you are struggling with your mental health during this time, there are a variety of government-based support services available.

• Resources from Queensland Mental Health Commission
• Mental wellbeing support service
• Information, strategies, and advice on your wellbeing and mental health from Beyond Blue

Domestic and family violence Support

If you are experiencing domestic or family violence, find out about available information and services.

• Domestic violence portal
• Queensland Police Service domestic violence reporting tool.