We present some of the most frequently asked questions relating to the Federal Government’s JobMaker Hiring Credit. This hiring credit is designed to assist in accelerating the rate of
employment of young people as we recover from the impact of COVID-19.
We have published an article on the JobMaker Hiring Credit here.
How do I register for the JobMaker Hiring Credit?
Registrations will open for eligible employers through ATO online services from 7 December 2020. Employers do not need to be registered at the time that they hire an employee in order to be eligible. Registration can occur at any time before a claim is made. Employers can begin to submit claims for the JobMaker Hiring Credit from 1 February 2021 (for new jobs created in the first reporting period of 7 October 2020 to 6 January 2021).
When will I receive the JobMaker Hiring Credit?
The payment will be paid quarterly in arrears. Employers can claim the first payment for the first period from 1 February 2021.
Can I receive the JobKeeper Payment and JobMaker Hiring Credit at the same time?
No, you cannot receive the JobKeeper Payment and JobMaker Hiring Credit at the same time. Businesses who are receiving the JobKeeper Payment will be eligible for the JobMaker Hiring Credit once they have exited the JobKeeper Payment and are no longer receiving payments.
Can I receive the JobMaker Hiring Credit for any existing employees?
No, you can only claim for those who were newly employed on or after 7 October 2020.
How do employees apply for the JobMaker Hiring Credit?
You will need to ask your new employees to fill out a form stating that they meet employee eligibility criteria at the time of hire.
- Aged between 16 – 35 years old at the time of hire
- Had been receiving Job Seeker, Youth Allowance (Other) or Parenting Payments for at least one of the three previous months
- Have not filled in a JobMaker Hiring Credit form for another employer they are currently still working for
What happens if one of my team resign?
Your business can only receive JobMaker for your eligible employees if total employee headcount and payroll increases.
If one of your original staff members resigns, even if through no fault of the business, then you can only claim JobMaker if your resultant headcount has still increased compared to the September 2020 baseline.
A similar baseline concept applies to payroll. If you employed new eligible employees in October 2020 but your overall payroll remained the same or only increased marginally because the hours of your existing staff reduced when the new employee(s) were employed, then the JobMaker credit will only be the additional payroll amount. The JobMaker credit cannot exceed the increase in payroll.
If I hire new staff in January 2021, can I claim JobMaker for 12 months or only up to 6 October 2021?
Yes, you can claim for 12 months, provided your business continues to meet all eligibility requirements each month.
I did not have employees in September. I hired my first employee in November. Can I claim JobMaker for this employee?
Businesses with no employees on 30 September, cannot claim JobMaker for their first employee. However, JobMaker can be claimed for your second and any subsequent employees that started on or before 6 October 2021.
Please find the governments factsheet here for more information.
