On 7 August, Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg announced that JobKeeper support payments will now be easier to access.  

The relaxing of eligibility will see an increase of $15 billion made available. The Federal Treasurer expects $13 billion of this to go to Victorian businesses. 

Speaking to 3AW, the Federal Treasurer expected nearly half of Victoria’s private sector to be accessing JobKeeper payments following the extension, with a further 500,000 expected to join the program in the September quarter as Victoria’s Stage Four restrictions become felt statewide.  

Under a new eligibility test, businesses must now demonstrate a fall in turnover in the July-September quarter compared to the same period last year. The previous rules announced on 21 July required businesses to show a fall in turnover in the June, September and December quarters of 2020 in order to remain eligible for the wage subsidy. 

New staff who commenced employment from 1 July will also be able to receive the payment.  

The Chief Executive of the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry Paul Guerra said in response to the announcement “the Stage 4 lockdown has placed enormous financial and emotional strain on Victorian employers and their employees, and this support has come at a crucial time in providing some certainty and clarity for the future. 

“The Victorian Chamber has worked with the Federal Government, providing direct input from our members, and it is pleasing to see the changes announced today reflect the concerns we have raised with the Treasurer. 

In an exclusive VCCI webinar with the VCCI two days prior, Frydenberg told VCCI members to stay positive and to focus on the future.  

“Look through the next six weeks, look to the period of Christmas and beyond, see your business surviving and ultimately thriving and know that the Federal Government, working with the State Government has your back.” 

The announcement of the extension to the JobKeeper program also came just two days after the Federal Government unveiled the $1500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment which replaces the Victorian Government’s $1500 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Worker Support Payment. 

Help and support 

For more information about the resources available to your business, please visit the COVID-19 Resources page of the VCCI website.   

To help all businesses in Victoria during these difficult times, the VCCI is offering free memberships to all new members. Click here to enquire about obtaining a free membership or call 03 8662 5333.