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Covid-19 Leave Support Scheme

Jan 31, 2022 / 2 minutes read
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The Covid-19 Leave Support Scheme assists businesses to continue to pay their employees who cannot be at their workplace because they have been advised to self-isolate due to Covid-19 and are unable to work from home.

Employers are entitled to the following payments depending on the employment conditions of the affected employees:

  • $600.00 a week for full-time workers who were working 20 hours or more a week.
  • $359.00 a week for part-time workers who were working less than 20 hours a week.

Employees will need to have been advised to self-isolate for a minimum period of four consecutive calendar days to be eligible for a one week payment under the scheme.

In the event that your employee is unable to work from home and is required to continue isolating for at least 11 calendar days or more, an application can be made for a further weeks payment of the Leave Support Scheme.

Any subsequent payments under this scheme can be applied for every seven days of self-isolation.

Whilst a business is in receipt of a Leave Support payment, no changes can be made to the employee’s employment agreement, they must retain the employee and use their best endeavours to pay the employee at least 80% of their ordinary salary or wages.  At a minimum the full amount of the subsidy must be paid to the employee.  However, if the subsidy is more than the full amount of their ordinary salary and wages then they must be paid the full amount of their ordinary salary or wages.

Employers will need to get consent from affected employees to apply for the subsidy.

The scheme is available to self-employed persons who meet the criteria.

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Brad Phillips

Principal

Armed with an extensive knowledge bank, Brad specialises in providing taxation services to clients in the corporate, business, and rural sectors. He also has a keen interest in valuation, asset protection, and estate planning matters.