29 April 2020

The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) has extended the time to enrol for the initial JobKeeper periods (fortnights), from 30 April until 31 May 2020. It has also granted an extension to 8 May 2020 to pay April wages to your employees.

If you enrol by 31 May you will still be able to claim for the fortnights in April and May, provided you meet all the eligibility requirements for each of those fortnights. This includes having paid your employees by the appropriate date for each fortnight.

For the first two fortnights (30 March – 12 April and 13 April – 26 April), the ATO will accept the minimum $1,500 payment for each fortnight has been paid, provided payment is made by 8 May. If you do not pay your staff by this date, you will not be able to claim JobKeeper for the first two fortnights.

Learn more about the extension

We have previously noted that some members have expressed that they will likely have cashflow difficulties in meeting this requirement. As such, we highly recommend applying for the stimulus loans, which have a quick turnaround approval time.
Learn more about the Coronavirus SME Guarantee Scheme

Related

• JobKeeper clarification
• JobKeeper nomination forms for business operators
• $130 billion JobKeeper payment scheme

Government funding

• Federal Government support packages (including links to apply)
• State Government funding packages
• Funding to retain apprentices and trainees