Local Government Councils - Job Retention scheme

The NSW Local Government Job Retention Allowance will continue to provide the necessary support for council workers across the state.

The Job Retention Allowance provides $1,500 per fortnight per eligible employee for up to three months to help councils retain staff whose employment has been impacted by the COVID-19 outbreak.

Commonwealth Government assistance is not available to local councils, therefore the NSW Government has stepped in to provide this nation-leading support package.

The Job Retention Allowance was introduced as part of the NSW Government’s COVID-19 Local Government Economic Stimulus Package to assist councils to support staff stood down as a result of the 2020 lockdown.

Any council that meets the eligibility criteria, as per last year’s program, can submit claims for the Job Retention Allowance.

Eligibility criteria include that the council:

• Can demonstrate financial distress through an actual or potential loss of at least 30 per cent in revenue (rates and annual charges, user fees and charges or other revenue) for the current or previous quarter in a council business unit or entity
• Is a party to the Splinter Award or equivalent agreement
• Has paid the eligible employee four weeks paid COVID-19 Special Leave under the Splinter Award or equivalent agreement, and
• Has entered into a funding agreement with the Office for Local Government.

The Job Retention Allowance criteria is in line with similar government relief programs including Job Saver.

Click here for the media release.

Click here for the eligibility criteria document.