Children's Services Award Still Applies On Jobkeeper

For Educators who are currently receiving JobKeeper payments, the Children's Services Award 2010, still applies.

As an Educator, if your hours, days, or duties have changed due to Jobkeeper, you still should be on the same hourly rate as you would be on in the Children's Services Award. Also if you do less than $1500 worth of work in the fortnight, you’re entitled to be paid at least $1500. If you do more than $1500 worth of work, you need to be paid for all the hours you actually worked. This includes being paid any overtime, penalty rates, or allowances as it states in the Children's Services Award.

JobKeeper Payment: Earning less than $1500

Your employer can’t pay less than an amount equal to the JobKeeper payment, which is $1500 (before tax) per fortnight.

If you earn less than the JobKeeper payment during a fortnight for the work you perform (including any payments for leave or public holidays), your employer still needs to pay you $1500 (before tax) for that fortnight. The employer can’t keep the difference.

For example, if an employee earns $25 an hour and works 40 hours in a fortnight, their pay would normally be $1000 (before tax). Even though this is less than the JobKeeper payment, the employer must still pay the full $1500 (before tax) to the employee.

If your employer pays you less than the amount less than the JobKeeper payment, the ATO will stop reimbursing JobKeeper payments to your employer.

JobKeeper Payment: Earn more than $1500

If you earn more than the JobKeeper payment during a fortnight for the work you perform (including any payments for leave or public holidays), your employer needs to pay you the higher amount for that fortnight. Your employer can’t pay just $1500 (before tax).

For example, if an employee normally works 76 hours a fortnight and is paid $1700 (before tax), and this hasn’t changed while the employer is receiving JobKeeper, they still need to be paid $1700 (before tax) for the hours they work.

Changing an employee’s workdays and times under the JobKeeper scheme

The Fair Work Act JobKeeper provisions enables your employer to agree with you to perform your usual duties on different days or during different times. Your employer needs to make sure that:

• it is safe (including considering the nature and spread of coronavirus)
• it is reasonably within the scope of employer’s business operations
• the employee’s usual work hours aren't reduced overall (as this requires a JobKeeper enabling stand down direction).

If your employer asks you to make these changes, you to consider the request and can’t unreasonably refuse it. Any agreement has to be recorded in writing, such as in a letter or email.

Any agreements made under the new JobKeeper provisions end on 28 September 2020. Employees’ terms and conditions will revert back to what they were without the agreement in place.

References: 
Pay & The JobKeeper Scheme, Fair Work Australia 
Changing Duties, Location or Days & Times of Work Under The JobKeeper Scheme Fair Work, Australia