{"id":184,"date":"2020-10-13T09:14:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-13T09:14:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/epo2023.appletest.com.au\/?p=184"},"modified":"2023-10-26T08:18:46","modified_gmt":"2023-10-26T08:18:46","slug":"jobkeeper-2-0-who-are-legacy-employers-and-what-can-they-do","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.epayoffice.com.au\/jobkeeper-2-0-who-are-legacy-employers-and-what-can-they-do\/","title":{"rendered":"JobKeeper 2.0: Who are Legacy Employers and What Can They Do?"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the extension of JobKeeper taking effect from 28 September through to March 2021, it\u2019s important that employers are up to date with the latest eligibility requirements.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

For some employers, they may no longer be eligible for the JobKeeper payment scheme from September 28 onwards. However, depending on their circumstances, they may still be able to exercise many of the same employment flexibilities that were available to them while they were eligible for JobKeeper.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

This new category of employer is referred to as \u201clegacy employers.\u201d Essentially, they are a group of employers who were previously eligible for JobKeeper, but are either no longer eligible or have decided not to continue to take part in the scheme from September 28 onwards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below is a quick summary of the eligibility requirements for legacy employers, including the kind of modifications they are allowed to make to their employee\u2019s working arrangements under the JobKeeper provisions in the Fair Work Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Eligibility Requirements for Legacy Employers<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

In order to be classified as a legacy employer, you must pass a new turnover test that has been created specifically to cater to this new group of employers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

You need to demonstrate that your business has experienced a 10% decline in turnover for each relevant quarter you wish to be classified as a legacy employer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

To demonstrate this, you need to either retrieve a certificate from an approved financial service provider or, if you are a small business employer \u2013 an employer with fewer than 15 employees at a particular time \u2013 then you need to make a statutory declaration. Small business employers can also retrieve a certificate from an approved financial service provider if they wish.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If you do not get the relevant certificate or make a statutory declaration for the corresponding period, then you cannot issue or make any JobKeeper enabling directions or agreements during that time. This means that any previously enabled directions or arrangements made prior to the end of you being eligible for the JobKeeper payment scheme will no longer apply. Here is a table provided by FairWork Australia as to the corresponding quarters that you need to demonstrate a 10% decline in turnover for:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Period for JobKeeper direction or agreement<\/strong><\/td>Quarter to meet 10% decline in turnover test <\/strong><\/td>Comparison quarter<\/strong><\/td><\/tr><\/thead>
28 September to 27 October 2020 (inclusive)<\/td>June 2020<\/td>June 2019<\/td><\/tr>
28 October 2020 to 27 February 2021 (inclusive)<\/td>September 2020<\/td>September 2019<\/td><\/tr>
28 February to 28 March 2021 (inclusive)<\/td>December 2020<\/td>December 2019<\/td><\/tr><\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

For more information on how to apply for this new turnover test, and what needs to be included when making calculations, visit the Actual Decline in Turnover Test page<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

What Kind of Actions Can Legacy Employers Take?<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Under the new legislation, legacy employers are allowed to make certain changes to the working arrangements of employees, in the same way as a business receiving JobKeeper payments.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Put simply, legacy employers can issue certain types of directions and make arrangements with employees who previously received JobKeeper payments, just without the benefit of actually receiving the JobKeeper payment.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These guidelines are set out under the newly created JobKeeper provisions in the Fair Work Act.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Below is a quick summary of the kind of directions and arrangements a legacy employer can make.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Issue JobKeeper enabling stand down directions<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

This allows a legacy employer to temporarily direct an employee who previously received JobKeeper payments to:<\/p>\n\n\n\n