Response to COVID-19: Jobkeeper Scheme and Emergency Modern Award Changes in Australia – What Employers Need to Know

In response to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak, the Australian parliament passed major temporary changes to the Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) on 8 April 2020 as part of its unprecedented AU$1.3 billion “Jobkeeper Scheme”. On the same day, the Fair Work Commission implemented provisional emergency variations to the majority of modern awards. Our client alert highlights the key points employers need to know about these measures, which grant eligible employers a lifeline wage subsidy and provide greater flexibility to manage employees through the crisis.