Originally published March 23, 2020, updated April 25, 2020.
On the night of Sunday 22 March, most Australians were glued to their TV screens, listening as Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced frightening new social distancing mandates. The government outlined its second Coronavirus stimulus package, aiding all the small businesses and unemployed/casual workers affected by these drastic new measures.
The Monday Group are hurting right along with the rest of our events, hospitality and tourism industry colleagues, who will find these new social distancing measures crippling to their businesses. We have summarised the financial assistance on offer for our candidates and clients and urge you all to investigate what you are entitled to thoroughly. Hopefully, these assistance payments and stimulus measures can help you and your business survive during this unprecedented economic crisis and set you up to thrive once this is all over.
Income Support Recipients:
A new Coronavirus Supplement of an additional $550 a fortnight for new and existing income support recipients (see list below) will take effect from 27 April 2020 for six months. The payment will be available to sole traders and casual workers, provided they meet income tests;
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JobSeeker Payment
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Sickness Allowance
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Youth Allowance for jobseekers
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Parenting Payment Partnered
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Parenting Payment Single
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Partner Allowance
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Sickness Allowance
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Farm Household Allowance
People will be able to access up to $10,000 from their superannuation funds this financial year and again in 2020-21.
Reducing deeming rates* by a further 0.25 per cent (*the rate of income the government assumes a person’s financial assets to earn)
Small Business Support:
Not-for-profits and small businesses with a turnover < $50 million will receive a tax-free cash payment of a minimum $20,000 up to a maximum of $100,000 to help them retain staff and continue operating.
The Commonwealth will also guarantee unsecured loans of up to $250,000 for a term of up to three years.
JobKeeper applications now open: Here's how to apply
See links below for further information on the Australian Government's economic response to the coronavirus;