The COVID-19 pandemic has caused major disruption in employment Australia-wide.
Many employees, sole traders, and employers across the public, private and non-profit sectors are adapting to new ways of working and navigating changes in employment circumstances. For some of us this may mean a decrease or loss of income and the need to access government support.
Changes to your employment can be stressful, particularly when they’re due to circumstances beyond your control. These changes may also impact you financially. Use this guide to help you navigate your options in terms of the assistance you can get.
Look into your JobKeeper eligibility. Note: your employer won’t need to pay super on any JobKeeper payment.
Read more in the Australian Government JobKeeper Payment Frequently Asked Questions Fact Sheet.
Check the Fair Work Commission for changes relevant to Modern Awards.
Look into your JobKeeper eligibility. Note: your employer won’t need to pay super on any JobKeeper payment.
Read more in the Australian Government JobKeeper Payment Frequently Asked Questions Fact Sheet.
Check the Fair Work Commission for changes relevant to Modern Awards.
Visit the Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) website if your employer can’t pay you.
Contact the Fair Work Commission if you have any questions about your employer’s ability to stand you down.
Have you explored redeployment opportunities in the business?
Look into your JobKeeper eligibility. Note: your employer won’t need to pay super on any JobKeeper payment.
Read more in the Australian Government JobKeeper Payment Frequently Asked Questions Fact Sheet.
Confirm with your employer if they’re eligible for any government support as a part of the COVID-19 stimulus package.
For more information visit the Westpac COVID-19: Help for business customers page.
Understand what notice and severance pay you’re entitled to by reviewing:
Visit the Fair Work Ombudsman website for entitlements and the Australian Taxation Office website for inclusions, tax, and super implications.
Consider what you could do with your redundancy payout. You can get some hints and tips from the MoneySmart website.
You may also wish to consider looking into financial and tax advice.
You can read more in Westpac’s 'What happens after you have lost your job' guide.
Know what your final payment should include at the Fair Work Ombudsman website.
Check out whether you’re eligible for any government income supplements by visiting the Australian Government’s Treasury website.
Contact the Fair Work Commission to understand your rights and whether your employer has complied with their obligations regarding the termination of your employment.
Understand what your final pay will be made up of.
You can read more in Westpac’s 'What happens after you have lost your job' guide.
See if you’re eligible for any government income supplements by visiting the Australian Government’s Treasury website.
See if you’re eligible for any government income supplements by visiting the Australian Government’s Treasury website.
You can read about Insolvency for employees at the Australian Securities & Investments Commission (ASIC) website.
Get more information through the Fair Entitlements Guarantee (FEG) website, call the FEG Hotline on 1300 135 040, or email feg@employment.gov.au.
Check your entitlements for an Early Retirement scheme on the Australian Taxation Office website.
If you want to access your super you will need to meet a condition of release. General information is available on the Australian Taxation Office website or contact your super fund to find out about your options.
For more detail on what you can do to plan for your retirement, you can find more on our Retirement Hub.
If your super account is inactive and your balance falls below $6,000 it may be rolled over to the Australian Taxation Office.
Read more about ATO-held super on their website.
Leaving your employment may mean that any life insurance policies held inside superannuation could be impacted.
You may want to ensure you continue to have the correct levels of cover for you and your family.
Talk with your super fund to see what your options may be.
If you need assistance, Centrelink can advise you on any government benefits you may be entitled to access. Some benefits have waiting periods, which means it’s important to contact them as soon as you lose your job. Find out more at centrelink.gov.au.
This is a guide only and does not constitute legal or financial advice. Please ensure you refer to your own Human Resources division of your employment for information specific to your circumstances. You should also seek your own legal and financial advice.
Other references include:
BT cannot give tax advice. Any tax considerations outlined in this document are general statements, based on an interpretation of current tax laws, and do not constitute tax advice. As such, you should not place reliance on any such taxation considerations as a basis for making your decision.