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JobKeeper Eligibility

JobKeeper eligibility criteria for employers and employees.

Thiya avatar
Written by Thiya
Updated over a week ago

Under the JobKeeper Payment, businesses impacted by the coronavirus will be able to access a subsidy from the Government to continue paying their employees. Affected employers will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum period of 6 months.

  • Less than $1B turnover and turnover fallen by at least 30% (for at least a month)

  • More than $1B turnover and turnover fallen by at least 50% (for at least a month)

  • Do not have any Major Bank Subsidy

Turnover has fallen in the relevant month or three months (depending on the natural activity statement reporting period of that business) relative to their turnover a year earlier. 

Where a business was not in operation a year earlier, or where their turnover a year earlier was not representative of their usual or average turnover, (e.g. because there was a large interim acquisition, they were newly established or their turnover is typically highly variable) the Tax Commissioner will have discretion to consider additional information that the business can provide to establish that they have been significantly affected by the impacts of the Coronavirus.

Take the turnover test by clicking on the button below to make sure you are eligible.

Eligible Employees

  • Currently employed or re-hired by the employer

  • Employed by the employer on or before 1st March

  • Full-time, part-time, or long term casual (long term = hired regularly for longer than 12 months as of 1st March 2020)

  • 16+ years of age

  • Australian citizen/Permanent Resident/Protected Special Category Visa Holder/Non-protected Special Category Visa Holder residing in Australia for more than 10 years/Special Category (Subclass 444) Visa Holder

  • Do not receive a JobKeeper Payment from another employer

Other Eligible Entities: 

  • Sole-traders, 

  • Partners in Partnerships, 

  • Adult beneficiaries of Trusts or 

  • Shareholders/directors in Companies

Find detailed eligibility criteria for other eligible entities here: https://www.ato.gov.au/General/JobKeeper-Payment/Sole-traders-and-other-entities/

Eligibility after September 2020:

JobKeeper eligibility will be re-tested in October and early January 2021, based on turnover decline.


These tests will run along the same turnover criteria as above, but will require businesses to demonstrate an actual decline of turnover. Turnover should decline at least 30% for both the June and September quarters to be eligible for JobKeeper payments covering the December quarter. Businesses should also meet the turnover decline across the December quarter to remain eligible for JobKeeper payments through to March 28, 2021.

Click on the button below to learn more about how to notify ATO through Payroo JobKeeper notifications.

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