JobKeeper Update: ‘One in, all in’ confirmed

The Australian Tax Office (ATO) has yesterday issued advice requiring employers to adopt a “one in, all in” approach in respect of the JobKeeper scheme. This means that employers must nominate all employees (i.e. not just a select few), although employees can choose not to participate in the scheme (for example, those employees who work multiple jobs and are participating in the scheme through another employer).

The “one in, all in” approach was not expressed in the recent Bills amending the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) or the Coronavirus Economic Response Package (Payments and Benefits) Rules 2020.

Employers must nominate all employees when enrolling in the scheme.  It is also important for employers to note that the JobKeeper payment will be paid monthly to employers in arrears (commencing in the first week of May 2020). Employers are then responsible for paying employees the $1,500 fortnightly payment directly.

The ATO’s advice is available via its website:
https://www.ato.gov.au/General/JobKeeper-Payment/

Employers can now enrol for the JobKeeper scheme by visiting: https://www.ato.gov.au/general/jobkeeper-payment/employers/enrol-for-the-jobkeeper-payment/

EMA legal is able to assist employers with JobKeeper related queries and other employment related matters.