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ARTICLE · 29 APRIL 2020

COVID-19 Toolkit: JobKeeper Changes To Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) – Update And FAQ

Gilchrist Connell
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Explanation of the changes & how you can use the new laws to get through the challenging economic climate.

AustraliaCoronavirus (COVID-19)
Joel Zyngier
Joel Zyngier
Sarah Wood
Sarah Wood
Philip Duffy
Philip Duffy
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The Fair Work Act 2009 (Cth) (Fair Work Act) was amended on 8 April 2020 to enable greater flexibility in Australian workplaces dealing with the impacts of the coronavirus. This update explains the changes and how your business can use the new laws (and some existing modern award amendments) to get through the challenging economic climate.

Snapshot of the changes

Employers who are eligible for the JobKeeper scheme (see below) can issue JobKeeper enabling directions. Subject to various safeguards, the directions enable an employer to stand down employees without pay, either entirely or in part (i.e. by reducing their hours of work); change employees' duties; change their days and times of work; and change their location of work. The changes also permit employers and employees to make agreements in relation to the days or times of work, and taking paid annual leave, including at half pay.

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