Announced in late March 2020, the Federal government’s JobKeeper scheme was launched to financially assist those affected by lockdowns due to COVID and help save jobs. \
Legislated until September, the wage subsidy paid $1,500 per employee to eligible employers. As the pandemic dragged on, the scheme was extended to March 2021, however, payments were reduced. Those working more than 20 hours a week now receive $1,200 a fortnight, and those working less than 20 hours a week get $750 a fortnight. This will be reduced further in January, to $1,000 a fortnight and $600 a fortnight respectively. Many groups have called for a further extension, with 2.24 million Aussies still set to be receiving payments in the December quarter. But the government has stressed the scheme has always been temporary and it will end as scheduled.
1. JobKeeper basics
- 06 October 2020 - JobSeeker, JobKeeper, now JobMaker
- 28 September 2020 - JobKeeper cut, what to know
- 30 March 2020 - Details of $1,500 coronavirus wage subsidy
2. JobKeeper extension
- JobKeeper extended due to Victorian COVID crisis
- JobKeeper and JobSeeker 2.0: extended but reduced
- Prime Minister and Treasurer hint at JobKeeper extension
- 1.4 million relying on Foodbank amid calls for JobKeeper & JobSeeker extension
- OECD calls for JobKeeper extension
3. What happens when JobKeeper ends?
- How will employees & businesses cope?
- How will the property market cope?
- Households could default on their home loans
