Copied from another page. FYI.
RE: STAND DOWN & JOBSEEKERS PAYMENT
Hey friends,
So I thought I'd make a post to help everyone out who are being (or have already been) "stood down" from their usual means of employment.
It seems that there's a lot of confusion around this term, as I've seen a few making posts that they have had issues claiming Centrelink payments due to separation certificates being requested, not being supplied by their employer etc.
There seems to be a misconception that being stood down means you have lost your job. I just wanted to point out that this is actually not the case. Yes, you have lost all income/shifts/wages for the time being, and your name may have disappeared from the roster... but you're technically still employed ⚠️
This is why it's SO important to NOT quit or leave your job under the threat of any of the current mandates/restrictions! Because this will severely change your eligibility to claim government welfare support, and create a bunch of massive hurdles, including extended delays to payment entitlements.
So, for those who don't know or aren't sure, "stand down" is essentially the equivalent of unpaid leave, for an unspecified amount of time, because due to a situation out of your employer's hands (lockdowns, vaccine mandates etc) they cannot find an immediate use for you in your workplace. As such, when you are stood down, the business is not legally obligated to give you any shifts or pay you your minimum contracted hours. This also removes any grounds for unfair dismissal or discrimination, since technically you're still employed by them - hence why most employers are using this means to "pause" staff during the Covid19 situation, because it also helps them to keep their noses clean. Unless they have specifically told you that your employment is being terminated, then you're just stood down - and they do legally need to give you reasonable notice of this as well.
Now, the good news is that you actually CAN claim Centrelink payments whilst stood down.
Here is how:In your application for jobseekers payment, do NOT list that you're unemployed. This is actually not true, as you're just stood down for the time being. Do not provide them the misconception that your employment is (or has been) ended, as this is the incorrect information which causes hurdles and approval issues. What you SHOULD put down is that you're currently employed, provide the average hours you typically work (ie. whilst not stood down) and supply your employers details, all the relevant information requested by them within the application.Assuming all the other suitability criteria is met and your claim is approved, you'll be expected to report your earnings every fortnight. Now the important bit... from the beginning of the period you are stood down from, you must record 0 hours worked, $0 income. This must reflect your actual situation, assuming that you are not receiving ANY income from your employment. Don't forget to also report your partner's earnings as well if need be, or any annual leave etc claimed - very important! - as this can affect the amount of payment you're legally entitled to.This is the correct way to report income during employment stand down periods. If you don't have any other income affecting your fortnightly claim, then you should receive the full rate of Jobseeker 👍Anyone looking for more in-depth information on "Stand Down" from employment, there is heaps here: https://au.indeed.com/caree.../career-development/stood-downhttps://coronavirus.fairwork.gov.au/coronavirus-and-australian-workplace-laws/pay-leave-and-stand-downs/stand-downs
Cheers guys, and hope this info helps for the time being. Do not deny yourself the government income you're currently still entitled to, as it could very well be the means to help pay your rent or put food on the table
RE: STAND DOWN & JOBSEEKERS PAYMENT
Hey friends,
So I thought I'd make a post to help everyone out who are being (or have already been) "stood down" from their usual means of employment.
It seems that there's a lot of confusion around this term, as I've seen a few making posts that they have had issues claiming Centrelink payments due to separation certificates being requested, not being supplied by their employer etc.
There seems to be a misconception that being stood down means you have lost your job. I just wanted to point out that this is actually not the case. Yes, you have lost all income/shifts/wages for the time being, and your name may have disappeared from the roster... but you're technically still employed ⚠️
This is why it's SO important to NOT quit or leave your job under the threat of any of the current mandates/restrictions! Because this will severely change your eligibility to claim government welfare support, and create a bunch of massive hurdles, including extended delays to payment entitlements.
So, for those who don't know or aren't sure, "stand down" is essentially the equivalent of unpaid leave, for an unspecified amount of time, because due to a situation out of your employer's hands (lockdowns, vaccine mandates etc) they cannot find an immediate use for you in your workplace. As such, when you are stood down, the business is not legally obligated to give you any shifts or pay you your minimum contracted hours. This also removes any grounds for unfair dismissal or discrimination, since technically you're still employed by them - hence why most employers are using this means to "pause" staff during the Covid19 situation, because it also helps them to keep their noses clean. Unless they have specifically told you that your employment is being terminated, then you're just stood down - and they do legally need to give you reasonable notice of this as well.
Now, the good news is that you actually CAN claim Centrelink payments whilst stood down.
Here is how:In your application for jobseekers payment, do NOT list that you're unemployed. This is actually not true, as you're just stood down for the time being. Do not provide them the misconception that your employment is (or has been) ended, as this is the incorrect information which causes hurdles and approval issues. What you SHOULD put down is that you're currently employed, provide the average hours you typically work (ie. whilst not stood down) and supply your employers details, all the relevant information requested by them within the application.Assuming all the other suitability criteria is met and your claim is approved, you'll be expected to report your earnings every fortnight. Now the important bit... from the beginning of the period you are stood down from, you must record 0 hours worked, $0 income. This must reflect your actual situation, assuming that you are not receiving ANY income from your employment. Don't forget to also report your partner's earnings as well if need be, or any annual leave etc claimed - very important! - as this can affect the amount of payment you're legally entitled to.This is the correct way to report income during employment stand down periods. If you don't have any other income affecting your fortnightly claim, then you should receive the full rate of Jobseeker 👍Anyone looking for more in-depth information on "Stand Down" from employment, there is heaps here: https://au.indeed.com/caree.../career-development/stood-downhttps://coronavirus.fairwork.gov.au/coronavirus-and-australian-workplace-laws/pay-leave-and-stand-downs/stand-downs
Cheers guys, and hope this info helps for the time being. Do not deny yourself the government income you're currently still entitled to, as it could very well be the means to help pay your rent or put food on the table