If your business is receiving the JobSaver payment for tradies, there’s a new rule you need to know about. The NSW Government now requires you to reconfirm your eligibility every fortnight to continue receiving the payment. That means reviewing your headcount and turnover regularly to stay compliant – and avoid missing out. 🧾📉
For full eligibility details, you can also check the official Service NSW JobSaver Payment page.
What’s Changed With JobSaver? 🔄
Originally, Service NSW had businesses report on the period from 30th August to 11th September 2021. After pushback from the accounting community, that changed.
The first fortnight that counts now is:
13th September to 26th September 2021
After that, you’ll receive an email from Service NSW every two weeks asking you to confirm two things:
- That your business has maintained the employee headcount you declared as of 13th July 2021; and
- That you’re still experiencing at least a 30% decline in turnover due to the lockdown.
Your Eligibility Can Change Each Fortnight 🔁
It’s completely normal for businesses to swing in and out of eligibility depending on what’s happening.
✅ You could be eligible one fortnight,
❌ Ineligible the next,
✅ Then eligible again later.
You’ll only receive the JobSaver payment for tradies during fortnights where you meet the criteria.
How to Calculate Your Turnover Decline 📊
You have three methods to choose from, but once you pick one, you must use it every time. Here’s how they work:
1. Compare With the Fortnight You Used in Your Initial Application
For example, if you originally compared against 4th–17th July 2019, you’ll continue comparing the current fortnight (e.g. 13th–26th September 2021) to that same July period.
2. Compare With the Same Dates in the Same Year You First Used
If you originally used 2019, compare 13th–26th September 2021 with 13th–26th September 2019. If you used 2020, stick with that year.
3. Compare With the Fortnight Before Lockdown
Only valid if this was your original comparison period – 12th–25th June 2021. Use that every fortnight going forward.
🚫 You cannot change comparison methods. Once you choose, it’s locked in.
What If Your Business Was Closed That Fortnight? 🚪
If your business couldn’t trade due to Public Health Orders, you can tick a box confirming that – and you don’t need to do a turnover comparison for that period. ✅
Need Help With Your JobSaver Reconfirmations? 🤯
We get that it’s a lot to keep track of – especially when you’re already stretched thin. But staying on top of this process is the only way to keep the JobSaver payment for tradies flowing.
If you need help calculating figures, staying compliant, or want us to take care of it for you, we’re here to help.
📧 bettina@tradiesbookkeeping.com.au
📞 0424 467 921
You can also learn more about how we help tradies with bookkeeping services tailored to trade businesses.