Registrations open for JobMaker Hiring Credit Scheme

Under the scheme, eligible businesses can access the payment for up to 12 months for each eligible additional employee they hire between 7 October 2020 and 6 October 2021, and will be able to claim up to $200 a week for each additional eligible employee they hire aged 16 to 29 years, and up to $100 a week for those aged 30 to 35 years.

Employees need to have completed a minimum average of 20 hours (worked or paid) per week during the time they were employed in the JobMaker period.

ATO deputy commissioner James O’Halloran said the ATO is working hard to make it as easy as possible for employers to access the government’s JobMaker Hiring Credit payment.

He also encouraged businesses to check their eligibility and take this first step to register for the scheme from this week and then employers will be ready to move to quickly make a claim in February 2021, as they cannot claim if they are not registered.

“We encourage employers to register from now to ensure their hiring credits can be paid promptly from when the first quarterly claim period opens in February 2021,” Mr O’Halloran said.

“Employers are reminded that new employees must have received the Parenting Payment, Youth Allowance (Other) or JobSeeker Payment for at least 28 consecutive days (or two fortnights) within the 84 days (or six fortnights) of being hired to allow for a claim to be made by the employer.

“There are some key dates to keep in mind, and simple steps employers can take now, but please remember that not everything needs to be done from next week.”

The federal government established the JobMaker Hiring Credit payment to help accelerate growth in the employment of young people during the COVID-19 economic recovery.

The scheme is aimed at incentivising businesses to employ additional jobseekers aged 16 to 35 years.

Businesses can register for the JobMaker Hiring Credit here.