StreamlineHR Monthly HR News

Award rate increases 01 November 2020

This year the Award rates are being increased by 1.75% in three stages. If your employees are covered by an Award listed in Group 2, the rates will increase on 01 November 2020. This fact sheet details which Awards are in each group. It is important to check the details in the Awards and ensure you are paying your employees correctly.

Christmas shut down periods and public holidays

If your business is going to shut down over Christmas and you will require staff to take leave there are clauses in the Awards which specify whether and how you can direct employees to take leave, including notice periods that must be provided.

If your business isn’t going to shut down over Christmas and you will require staff to work on public holidays it is likely that penalty rates or time in lieu will need to be considered. This year Boxing day falls on a Saturday, and there is an additional public holiday on the Monday so both days need to be treated as public holidays.

JobMaker hiring credit

The JobMaker Hiring Credit gives businesses an incentive to take on additional young job seekers. This will help young people access job opportunities as the economy recovers. From 7 October 2020, eligible employers will be able to claim $200 a week for each additional eligible employee they hire aged 16 to 29 years old; and $100 a week for each additional eligible employee aged 30 to 35 years old. To be eligible, the employee must have received one of either the JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance (Other), or Parenting Payment in at least one of the three months prior to being hired. See this fact sheet for more information.

Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidies

The Australian Government has announced the Boosting Apprenticeship Commencements wage subsidy to support employers to take on new apprentices and trainees. You may be eligible if you engage an apprentice undertaking an approved training package (Certificate II or higher) between 05 October 2020 and 30 September 2021. The wage subsidy is up to 50% of the Apprentice’s gross wage paid, up to a maximum of $7000 per quarter. The Australian Government has also increased the availability of the existing wage subsidy for apprentices to include medium sized businesses. Click here for more information.

If you would like specific advice and assistance to manage this within your workplace, please contact us on info@streamlinehr.com.au or +61 7) 5612 9914.