As well as the super guarantee increase to 10.5% on 1 July 2022, employers now need to factor in a wage increase. Read more below.
National Minimum Wage Increase
The Fair Work Commission (FWC) has ordered a 5.2% wage increase to the national minimum wage (NMW). From 1 July 2022, the NMW will increase by 5.2%, which amounts to $40 a week. The new National Minimum Wage will be $812.60 per week or $21.38 per hour.
Award Minimum Wage Increase
The FWC has announced that minimum award wages will increase by 4.6%, which is subject to a minimum increase for award classifications of $40 per week and based on a 38-hour week for a full-time employee. This means minimum award wages above $869.60 per week, will get a 4.6% increase and below $869.60 per week, will get a $40 increase.
When to Apply the Increase
The new National Minimum Wage will apply from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2022. This means if you have a weekly pay period that starts on Mondays, the new rates will apply from Monday 4 July 2022.
If you are covered by an award, award increases happen in 2 stages. Most awards will increase from the first full pay period on or after 1 July 2022 but, for some awards as listed below, the increase will happen from 1 October 2022.
Aircraft Cabin Crew Award 2020
Airline Operations – Ground Staff Award 2020
Air Pilots Award 2020
Airport Employees Award 2020
Airservices Australia Enterprise Award 2016
Alpine Resorts Award 2020
Hospitality Industry (General) Award 2020
Marine Tourism and Charter Vessels Award 2020
Registered and Licensed Clubs Award 2020
Restaurant Industry Award 2020
These awards relate to industries that are considered to be still adversely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
To read more information about the wage increase go to this Fair Work web page.
In what may be just a political stunt given it’s an election year, the Victorian Government has announced that from March 2022, some casual workers will be able to claim personal leave pay. This is very unusual because casual workers are not entitled to sick leave, rather they receive a 25% loading on top of their hourly rate in lieu of holiday and sick pay. The Government is doing this to help stop the spread of COVID-19 and other diseases as it is known that casual staff will attend work when they are ill to avoid loss of wages and shifts. As per their website, their main reason for introducing this new payment is to allow casual workers to take time off if they are ill or if they need to care of family members because in their words, “no worker should have to choose between a day’s pay and their health, or the health of a loved one”. This blog will look at the details behind this scheme and ask the question, “Is this payment fair?”
What is the Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee?
The Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee (VSPG) is a government-paid initiative that allows for some casual and contract workers as listed below, to receive 38 hours of personal leave pay at the national minimum wage (currently $20.33/hour). The program will run as a trial for 2 years after which time, it may become an industry levy on employers. The scheme is active now and those wanting to apply for the leave payment can do so here.
JOB
TYPE OF WORK
Hospitality workers
Providing services to patrons of hotels, bars, cafes, restaurants, and similar venues.
Food preparation assistants
Preparing food in fast food establishments, assisting food trades workers and service staff to prepare and serve food, cleaning food preparation and service areas.
Food trades workers
Baking bread and pastry goods; preparing meat for sale; planning, organising, preparing and cooking food for dining and catering establishments.
Sales support workers
Providing assistance to retailers, wholesalers and sales staff by operating cash registers, modelling, demonstrating, selecting, buying, promoting and displaying goods.
Sales assistants
Selling goods and services directly to the public on behalf of retail and wholesale establishments.
Other labourers who work in supermarket supply chains
Including workers who fill shelves and display areas in stores and supermarkets; load and unload trucks and containers, and handle goods and freight.
Aged and disability carers
Providing general household assistance, emotional support, care and companionship for aged and disabled persons in their own homes.
Cleaners and laundry workers
Cleaning vehicles, commercial, industrial and domestic premises, construction sites and industrial machines, and clothing and other items in laundries and dry-cleaning establishments.
Security officers and guards
Providing security and investigative services to organisations and individuals, excluding armoured car escorts and private investigators.
From: https://www.vic.gov.au/sick-pay-guarantee
Is this fair for employers?
It’s important to remember that for the first 2 years, this scheme will be paid by the Government, not employers. Should it continue, however, it is believed that employers will need to pay an industry levy that will cover the VSPG for casual staff. Therefore, employment costs will increase, placing further financial pressure on employers. Employers are already paying a 25% loading on top of basic wages for casual staff which is supposed to cover their sick and holiday pay. Some would say that the addition of the VSPG is double-dipping, given that a casual worker will receive both the loading and the sick payment. If this scheme continues, some employers may be pushed to employ part-time or full-time staff only in an attempt to avoid increased costs brought on by using casual employees.
Is this fair for employees?
Certainly, it can be argued that casual employees are an “at-risk” demographic. They are subject to reduced hours, unstable employment and increased difficulty in maintaining a robust credit record. They do not have the same job security as their part or full-time counterparts. As they generally do not work full-time hours, their income is greatly reduced and even though they are in receipt of the 25% loading, they do not have the ability to save this loading for sick days, as they need every cent just to live! Many are working paycheck to paycheck in order to pay rent and put food on the table. This being the case, it is understandable that some would choose to go to work sick, rather than lose wages, shifts and/or their job. With this in mind, the VSPG is fair for these employees. They can maintain their income and avoid spreading viruses like COVID-19. This is good for everyone.
Here’s what I think
I do like the idea of the VSPG. I am sure it will really help many casual workers (double-dipping or not). However, I think it’s just a temporary solution because once the VSPG payment is used up (the 38 hours), it is likely that workers will go back to attending work when they are ill. I’ve had a think about it and here are some alternative solutions I’ve come up with. Casual workers could:
Opt-in for loading or leave accruals, but not both.
Receive a smaller loading and accrue leave as well.
Apply for a top-up payment from the Government, when wages fall below a certain point for a particular period.
These are just some ideas jumping around in my head, but as I write this, I am left wondering if the double-dipping issue is the real problem here. Perhaps the real issue is not what is paid to casual staff, but rather, how much.
I believe, underlying the need to top up casuals’ pay with the VSPG and/or loadings, is a wage level problem. If these employees were paid adequately in the first place, then perhaps there would be no need for either the loading or the VSPG.
For many casual employees, wages are just too low, loading or no loading. Many who are students, carers or parents cannot work full-time hours and, as such, are subject to very low incomes. In my opinion, we need to look at wage growth and inflation before offering bandaid solutions such as the VSPG. Wages need to be kept in line with inflation. Simple as that. The Government that makes this happen, will get my vote this election year. Sadly, I think I’ll be left wanting…
As you probably know by now, STP Phase 2 has begun. It began on 1st January 2022, with a deferred hard start date by the ATO of 1st March 2022.
Your payroll software provider may have a deferral in place with the ATO for a later start date (see list below) which will cover you as their customer. However, some software providers are ready now and do not have a deferral in place. Examples of these are Quickbooks Online (KeyPay) and Saasu. If you are using one of this software or something else, then your business should be ready for STP 2 and be reporting data to the ATO as per their requirements. (Note, to check if your software is STP 2 enabled, you can go to this ATO page and search for “Payroll Event 2020”. This will produce a list of software that is STP 2 – ready.)
If you know you are not ready and need more time, you can try to apply to the ATO for a deferral. You can do this via Online Services for Business. Simply log in and follow these steps:
1. Select Employees 2. Select STP deferrals and exemptions 3. Select Delayed transition to STP Phase 2 expansion 4. Complete the request 5. Click Submit.
You will also need to advise: 1. Which payroll software is being used; 2. The reason a delay is being sought, and 3. The expected date the business will be able to start reporting under STP 2.
Software Providers with a Current STP 2 Deferral The following SPs have a current deferral in place with the ATO which also covers you, as their customer:
As part of the Government’s Treasury Laws Amendment Bill 2021 which passed on 12th February 2022, it has been decided that the $450 superannuation guarantee threshold will be removed. This will begin on July 1, 2022.
The scrapping of the threshold will make about 300,000 more workers eligible for super contributions, including many low-income employees in part-time and casual positions. This will ensure all workers can build their retirement savings, not just those in higher-paid, full-time positions.
Currently, employees must gross a minimum of $450 per month with one employer in order to be paid super on top of those wages (note, this can be $350 per month for those working in the hospitality industry e.g. award MA000009 Hospitality Industry). Those who work casually or part-time may find that they never quite reach that threshold even if they hold several jobs at once. For example, an employee who has 3 casual jobs, earning $300 per job per month, will not receive super on any of those wages due to the $450 threshold. This hardly seems fair and is the main driver for the removal of the threshold.
So, from July 1, 2022, if you employ staff, you will need to pay super contributions on all their earnings, no matter how little each month. For example, if your employee grosses $100 for the month, then super of $10 (currently paid at 10%) will accrue and be paid to the employee’s super fund.
While the move to remove the super threshold is pleasing in my opinion, it is worth noting that employers’ payroll budgets will increase as a result. The cost to employ staff is currently very high and this change will only serve to make it higher! Add in the next super guarantee increase to 10.5%, also from 1 July 2022, and I think we shall see some employers squirming!
While your payroll software will more than likely be upgraded to take up the removal of the super threshold, it is worth noting the start date to ensure you can check your payroll setup is correct when the time comes.
As per Fair Work, some employees will be entitled to unpaid pandemic leave from 31 December 2021 to 30 June 2022. This affects 74 awards – see this list to check if your workplace is affected.
But what is unpaid pandemic leave and how should it be used?
What is unpaid pandemic leave?
If an employee is prevented from working because he has to self-isolate as directed by:
government or medical authorities or his doctor, or by
enforceable government directions placing restrictions on non-essential businesses,
he will be eligible for up to 2 weeks’ unpaid pandemic leave.
What do I need to know about unpaid pandemic leave?
Full-time, part-time and casual staff are eligible.
Paid leave does not have to be used before pandemic leave is taken.
All staff can take the 2 whole 2 weeks leave - it is not pro-rated for staff who do not work full-time.
Unpaid pandemic leave does not affect other types of leave, paid or unpaid.
My employee wants to take unpaid pandemic leave. What should I do?
Your employee needs to advise you when they will take the leave (even if it’s already started) and the reason they are taking it. He should do this via email so that you both have written evidence as to when the leave was taken. The employee should indicate how long he will be absent from work. You can ask your employee to provide evidence that shows why they took the leave, such as a medical certificate. Note, if your employee is actually ill from Covid-19, then he/she may benefit from taking paid personal leave instead. In this case, you could ask for other evidence such as a positive PCR or a Rapid Antigen Test reading.
This is the final blog in a four-part blog series about STP Phase 2. In part one of this blog series, we looked at the benefits of phase 2, then, in part two, we outlined which software providers are ready for STP 2 now. Part three in the series delved deeper into the technical side of STP Phase 2. This final blog will focus on the sorts of things employers or their bookkeepers can do now, in order to plan ahead for a smooth transition to STP Phase 2.
The best thing you can do is to start to review your current payroll setup. Check employees’ details both personal and payroll-related. I have created a spreadsheet you can use to review your current employees/payees which you can download and use as needed (see below). This spreadsheet will collate most of the information you will need in order to transition to STP 2. Start the process by completing the spreadsheet and then, when you are ready to transition, you will have most of the required information at your fingertips.
Next, sit down with your employees/payees and explain what will happen once STP 2 begins. Tell them about how their information will be shared with the ATO and Services Australia. Explain that their payslips and income statements will look different and why. You may need to ask payees for more personal information during the setup of STP 2 – try to get ahead of the game and find out what sorts of data you don’t have and work with your payees to obtain it.
Keep an eye on your payroll provider’s pathway to STP 2. Your provider will advise you when you can transition and how it is to be done within the software itself. This may not happen for some months, but you can still prepare as per my above tips!
Lastly, think about when you would like to transition to STP 2. Yes, there are time constraints as per the ATO but they do say you can move over at any time during the year (provided you are covered by a deferral). However, you may like to put a plan in place and decide on a cutover date. That way, you can work towards the move to STP 2 in a timely manner and in a fashion that works for you and your business.
Lastly, to help you with your STP 2 plan and research, the ATO has created a set of guidelines for employers (see below). Download it and pop it away for use when you are ready to transition (or start your research now). Remember, don’t panic! There’s plenty of time and there will be a lot of help available to you when the time comes to tackle STP Phase 2!
How payroll is changing and what it will look like - getting technical!
What is STP Phase 2?
Basically, STP Phase 2 is the same as STP Phase 1 except that more payroll data now needs to be reported. STP 2 requires drilling down into the details about your payees, their payments, PAYG withheld, and superannuation. These extra details will be shared with the ATO and Services Australia, providing them with greater visibility about your payees and you, as an employer.
While the overall process of transferring your payroll data to the ATO via STP is not changing, there are some specific attributes of the process that will change. These are listed below:
Reporting of income types and country codes - see graphic below.
Disaggregation of gross income - you will be required to report more detail about income including gross, allowances, paid leave, overtime, bonuses and commissions, directors' fees and salary sacrifice.
New fields to replace Tax File Number Declaration services - while you will still need to retain a copy of the employee's TFND, you will no longer be required to send a copy to the ATO as data relating to the TFND will be transmitted at each and every pay event.
Lump Sum E by financial year - If you need to make a Lump Sum E payment (back payments more than 12 months old), you won't need to provide a Lump Sum E letter to your employee as it will be included in the STP report.
Adding new cessation type reason - because the date and reason for employment cessation will be in the STP report, you will no longer need to complete and provide separation certificates to employees.
New Child Support Agency deduction and garnishee – Child Support deductions and/or garnishees will be reported via STP reducing the need for you to send separate remittance advice to the Child Support Registrar.
Transferring payee year-to-date amounts – if you change software type or an employee's payroll ID number, this will be reported via the STP report. This will help avoid duplicate income statements appearing in employees' myGov accounts.
Separately reporting salary sacrifice - you will be required to report the pre-sacrificed income as well as the amount of salary sacrifice.
Our main message to you is “do not panic”! Your software provider will assist you with the move to STP 2 when the time comes. In the meantime, we suggest that you do some research to assist you in better understanding how your payroll will be affected by STP Phase 2. To help you with this, we have created the below table. There are links to relevant ATO web pages which will provide specific information about how STP 2 relates to your employees, their payments, and tax withheld from those payments.
STP Phase 2 has started! It began on 1st January 2022 and if you are ready and your software is ready, you can begin to report your payroll via this next stage of STP now!
If you aren’t ready, don’t worry, the ATO has provided a blanket deferral to the 1st March 2022. This means that if your software is ready now, you have until 01/03/22 to ensure you are organised and have updated your payroll data to enable a smooth transition to STP Phase 2 reporting.
But how do you know if your software is ready? Most providers would have contacted you by now to explain their plans, but in case you missed their emails, here is a summary of the main providers and whether or not they are ready now:
Have you heard? STP (Single Touch Payroll) is expanding from Phase 1 to, you guessed it, Phase 2. For those who don’t know, STP is a technology that automates the transfer of payroll data from payroll software to government departments, mainly the ATO. STP Phase 2 will see payroll data also being shared with Services Australia, the first in a long list of government departments who will eventually get to see your payroll information (in my opinion). The expansion plan also means that employers will need to update their payroll systems in order to provide much more detail about their payroll at each payroll event (more about that in coming blogs).
This compliance change is happening for better or for worse, so my question is “STP Phase 2, what is it good for?” Absolutely nothing! No, only joking! It turns out that there are quite a few benefits for both employers and employees. This blog will outline those benefits.
Benefits for Employers
Tax File Number Declarations - although you will need to keep copies of your employees' TFN Declarations as part of your employee records, you will no longer need to send them to the ATO. This is because the information will be sent via each pay event through STP.
By nominating an "income type" for employees, you can tell the ATO if you're using concessional reporting for closely held payees or inbound assignees.
If you need to make a Lump Sum E payment (back payments more than 12 months old), you won't need to provide a Lump Sum E letter to your employee as it will be included in the STP report.
If you change software type or an employee's payroll ID number, this will be reported via the STP report. This will help avoid duplicate income statements appearing in employees' myGov accounts.
Data will be shared about some employees with Services Australia (SA). This means that information SA requires from you will be easier to provide e.g. payslips for prior periods.
Because the date and reason for employment cessation will be in the STP report, you will no longer need to complete and provide separation certificates to employees.
Child support deductions and/or garnishees will be reported via STP reducing the need for you to send separate remittance advice to the Child Support Registrar.
Benefits for Employees
Income statements will become more accurate because the ATO will have better visibility of the types of income an employee receives.
If an employee makes an error such as failing to report that he has a study loan debt (resulting in an unwanted tax bill), the ATO will be better placed to rectify the issue sooner rather than later.
If employees have dealings with Services Australia (SA), they will see a more streamlined approach to data capture evolve over time, including:
Prefilled details on claim forms and fewer requests for documentation;
Spending less time on the phone to SA to confirm details;
Receiving SMS or email advice when STP data shows their family income estimate may be too low, they have a new job or their employment details have changed in some way;
Ensuring that they are paid the correct amount from SA, and
Helping SA understand their financial situation if employees need to repay a debt to SA.
STP Phase 2 requires employers and bookkeepers to make major changes to payroll set up which in the interim, may seem onerous and pretty annoying. However, as can be seen above, there are many benefits for both employers and employees that will come from STP Phase 2 in the long run.
Of course, time will tell if these changes will run smoothly or have unwanted side effects. We will all have to wait and see how things play out. In the meantime, for those wanting further information about STP Phase 2, please visit the ATO STP Phase 2 resources page.
In an attempt to protect and improve workers’ retirement savings, the Government announced super reforms “Your Future, Your Super”. This was passed into law on the 24th of June 2021.
As part of these new laws, how you, as an employer, deal with new employees’ super funds and subsequent payment into those funds, has changed.
From 1st November 2021, when a new employee starts working for you, you must pay their super into their “Stapled Super Fund” if he/she does not provide you with a choice of fund.
What is a Stapled Super Fund (SSF)?
An SSF is an existing super account that is linked or “stapled” to an employee so that it follows him/her around when he/she changes jobs.
Why do we need Stapled Super Funds?
In the past, it was common for employees to end up with multiple super accounts, especially when employers paid super into their default super funds. Having multiple accounts means that employees are unwittingly paying fees from each account which can add up to a lot of lost retirement savings. From the ATO, “the change aims to reduce account fees by stopping new super accounts being opened each time an employee starts a new job”.
How do you know when you need to use a SSF and how do you do it?
Currently, when a new employee starts working for you, you must provide him/her with a Super Standard Choice Form to complete. The form will provide you with the employee’s super details. If the employee fails to provide these details to you, you must then find out what his/her SSF is and pay super into that fund.
A request for an SSF for your employee is done via Online services for Business (or your Tax/BAS Agent can do it for you). If you cannot access Online Services, you can ring the ATO on 13 10 20 to make the request. When you log into your online account, go to the Business tab, then Employee Super Accounts, then click on “request”. Follow the prompts and you will be provided with the SSF within minutes.
Please note, that you will not be able to make an SSF request until the ATO has confirmed that you are the employee’s employer. This is done via either them receiving the Tax File Number Declaration details or by an STP lodgement event.
How is a SSF determined by the ATO?
The ATO will find the fund that has had the most recent contribution paid into it. This will become the employee’s SSF.
What if a SSF is not provided by the ATO?
If this happens and your employee has still not provided his/her super details, you may make payments into your default super fund.
What happens if the SSF rejects the payment?
If this happens, the ATO recommends that you make another request. If the same SSF is provided, then you must call the ATO on 13 10 20 for assistance.
Is there a transition period?
Yes! The ATO is providing a transition period. This will be between 01/11/2021 and 31/10/2022. After this period has ended, the ATO may apply penalties should you fail to comply with the Stapled Super Fund rules.
Summary – see our infographic below (free to download)
Stapled Super Funds begin on 1st November, 2021.
Only request SSF for employees who do not provide their super details to you.
SSF requests are done via Online Services for Business or your Tax/BAS Agent can make the requests on your behalf.
If an SSF does not exist, you may make super payments for the employee into your default super fund.
