JobKeeper eligibility loosened, more funds for mental health support

THE federal government has loosened the eligibility requirements for its JobKeeper wage subsidy program, and Victorian businesses hit hard by the coronavirus pandemic are expected to take up almost all of the extra funding.
Under the new eligibility test, small businesses are only required to demonstrate a significant reduction in turnover in the September quarter, compared to the same quarter last year.
Small businesses can now also get JobKeeper payments for new staff who have been employed since July 1.
Although the changes to JobKeeper apply across Australia, about 80 per cent of the extra $15 billion is expected to go to Victorian businesses, which are under Stage 4 coronavirus restrictions in metropolitan Melbourne and Stage 3 restrictions for the rest of the state.
Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (VCCI) chief executive officer Paul Guerra said the changes reflected the concerns VCCI had raised with federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg.
“Tighter JobKeeper rules for the second phase of the scheme were looming as a further setback to business confidence, so today’s announcement ensures valuable support can continue to be accessed by business at a time when the Victorian economy has all but been brought to a grinding halt.”
Australian Council of Trade Unions secretary Sally McManus said JobKeeper needed to be expanded to cover casuals and visa workers, and federally funded paid pandemic leave should be made available to all working people.
“If we do not treat all workers equally, some will be more desperate and take more risks. This will only create opportunities for the virus to spread.”
For a summary of JobKeeper and who is eligible, head to treasury.gov.au/coronavirus/jobkeeper/extension.
In other coronavirus news, the state government on Sunday announced nearly $60 million in new funding for Victoria’s mental health system.
The funding will strengthen the surge capacity of clinical and community mental health services across Victoria to cope with additional presentations and reduce pressure on hospital emergency departments.
It will also fast-track delivery of more new public acute mental health beds – including in Geelong – recommended by the Royal Commission into Victoria’s mental health system, boost community mental health services, and accelerate the statewide roll out of Hospital Outreach Post-Suicidal Engagement (HOPE) program.
“Coronavirus is hitting everyone hard – but some much harder than others,” state Minister for Mental Health Martin Foley said.
“This package will provide further support for people from all walks of life experiencing anxiety and distress during this unprecedented period of uncertainty and isolation.”