The Guides to Social Policy Law is a collection of publications designed to assist decision makers administering social policy law. The information contained in this publication is intended only as a guide to relevant legislation/policy. The information is accurate as at the date listed at the bottom of the page, but may be subject to change. To discuss individual circumstances please contact Services Australia.

4.3.3.10 When an employer is required to pay an instalment of PLP

Employer determination in force on a day during the instalment period

An employer (1.1.E.50) must pay an instalment (1.1.I.80) to a person on a payday if:

  • an instalment is payable to the person
  • an employer determination (1.1.E.60) is in force on a day during the instalment period to which the instalment relates, and
  • the employer has been paid enough to fund the instalment as at the payroll cut-off day.

If an employer is required to pay an instalment to a person the requirement only applies to a flexible PPL day that falls within the continuous flexible period (1.1.C.145) mentioned in the employer notice relating to the employer determination.

Note: Centrelink must pay an instalment to the person in relation to a day that is a payable flexible PPL day that does not fall within the person's continuous flexible period (4.3.6.15).

Note: Centrelink must pay an instalment if the person's continuous flexible period is extended on review after that period has ended (4.3.7.30).

Employer determination comes into force after the instalment period

An employer may become required to pay an instalment after the start of a person's continuous flexible period. In this situation, where neither Centrelink nor the employer was required to pay an earlier instalment but would have been if one or more instalments were payable from the start of the person's continuous flexible period, the instalments are taken to have become payable. Provided the employer has been paid enough (1.1.P.10) to fund the earlier instalments, the employer must also pay them with the next instalment.

Employer determination in force & employer paid enough at a later time

If the employer has not been paid enough to fund an instalment at the payroll cut-off for the instalment and this is rectified at the payroll cut-off for a later instalment, then the employer must pay the instalment to the person on the payday for the later instalment period.

The payroll cut-off is the last day in the employee's pay cycle that the employer can reasonably make changes to the instalment to be paid to, or in relation to, the person on the person's payday for the instalment.

An employer is taken to have complied with a requirement to pay an instalment on a payday if the instalment is paid before the payday or, if the employer cannot pay on the day, as soon as practicable after that day.

A failure by the employer to pay instalments as required may result in a financial penalty.

An employer is not required to pay an instalment to a person except in accordance with the above.

Act reference: PPLAct section 72 When an employer pays instalments, section 84 When the Secretary pays instalments, section 87 Payment of arrears—extending continuous flexible period after review, section 91 Effect of the Secretary or employer becoming required to pay instalments after start of continuous flexible period, section 95 Paying instalment on payday for later instalment—no later instalment, section 96 Paying instalment on a particular day—complying with obligation

Policy reference: PPL Guide 5.1 Employer determinations for PLP

Last reviewed: