The following information outlines what athletes can expect now that "JobKeeper" payments are now ending. It also provides information on "JobSeeker" and other ways athletes and staff can access support.
The “JobKeeper” program ended on 28 March 2021. It had been operating since 9 April 2020 and provided government subsidies to businesses to help them retain employees throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The government expects that by now most businesses will have recovered from the worst effects of COVID-19, and that employees should be able to return to working as they were before COVID-19, or close to it.
In summary: if you are an employee receiving “JobKeeper” benefits then those benefits and any JobKeeper related conditions (such as a requirement to work reduced hours) cease on 29 March 2021. If you have lost your job or your hours have been reduced so that you are earning little income, you may still be eligible to receive “JobSeeker” benefits.
The JobKeeper scheme has allowed employers to direct employees receiving JobKeeper payments to stand down (stop working) or reduce their hours of work in certain circumstances. These directions are called “JobKeeper enabling stand down directions”. With JobKeeper ending on 28 March 2021, JobKeeper enabling stand down directions will cease to have any effect. This means that, if your hours have been reduced or you have stopped working because of a JobKeeper enabling stand down direction, on 29 March 2021 you should resume working your usual contracted hours of work.
It is important that both you and your employer understand that you will no longer be stood down from work or working reduced hours from 29 March 2021 under the JobKeeper laws.
Some other forms of stand-down may still be imposed by your employer in more limited circumstances where there is a stoppage of work. You should discuss with your employer what they intend and whether you will resume your usual hours of work. If your employer still does not have enough work for you to perform, you might be asked to agree to work reduced hours or come to some other arrangement.
More information on JobKeeper enabling stand down directions., opens in a new tab
A. If you have come to an agreement with your employer to reduce your contracted hours of work or to take leave, and your employer has not directed you to do this as part of a “JobKeeper enabling stand down direction”, then your agreement with your employer will not be affected by the end of the JobKeeper scheme. Only workers receiving JobKeeper, and particularly those who have been given a JobKeeper enabling stand down direction, will be affected by the end of the scheme.
If you are a full-time or part-time employee, your employer is not able to lawfully reduce your contracted hours of work unless you agree to it.
No, your funding is separate to JobKeeper benefits. JobKeeper benefits are not income tested and are a subsidy for employers to help pay employee wages. They are not a direct payment to employees.
Yes, you may be eligible for JobSeeker payments subject to meeting residence and income tests.
The JobSeeker payment is a government Centrelink payment to support employees or some contract workers who have lost their jobs or are earning low incomes. Your eligibility and the amount you will receive depend on your fortnightly income. If you live with a partner, their income will also be taken into account up to a certain threshold.
You can find out whether you meet the eligibility requirements here., opens in a new tab
Depending on your age, you may be eligible for different kinds of assistance. For example:
If you are eligible to receive JobSeeker payments then you will usually need to meet the “mutual obligation requirements” in order to receive payments. These require you to fill out a Job Plan, search for work and accept any suitable jobs offered to you.
Yes, however if your dAIS funding exceeds the income test limits you will not be entitled to JobSeeker payments as well. Also, JobSeeker benefits decrease for every dollar you earn over your applicable threshold per fortnight.
The government has introduced online fast-tracking measures for new JobSeeker applicants through MyGov (removing many administrative hurdles). However new payments are still subject to certain waiting periods (the income maintenance period and compensation preclusion period). In short – it may take some weeks for you to receive your first payment after you are approved, which may also take time.
f you are not affected by coronavirus and are not required to self-isolate, you will be required to meet the “mutual obligation requirements” to look and apply for jobs, and/or do activities to help you become job-ready.
If you’re isolated at home or caring for someone who needs to self-isolate because of coronavirus you can be granted exemption for 14 days. This means you are exempt from having to look for work, though you still have an obligation to remain ‘job ready’ for when you are no longer isolated. You may also be exempt from mutual obligation requirements in the event that that illness or injury prevents you from working temporarily. This exemption is temporary and you must meet certain criteria that are supported by medical evidence.
The temporary Coronavirus Supplement, which increased financial support for people receiving JobSeeker and other Centrelink payments is due to end on 31 March 2021.
This means that the $150 Coronavirus Supplement will no longer apply to the fortnightly JobSeeker payments from that date.
If you are an athlete that receives dAIS support, as long as you continue to be a categorised athlete by your NSO, you will continue to receive dAIS.
Other one-off payments are also being made available by the Federal Government.
Click here for a list of payments you may be eligible for., opens in a new tab
For further support please contact: Sara Heasly, AIS Career Development Adviser sara.heasly@ausport.gov.au