The Government has announced, as part of its economic packages in response to COVID-19, a $130 billion wage subsidy titled ‘Job-Keeper Payments’ to encourage businesses affected by COVID-19 to keep paying salaries to their employees.

The JobKeeper Payment is a temporary scheme open to businesses impacted by the Coronavirus. It will also be available to the self-employed. Affected employers will be able to claim a fortnightly payment of $1,500 per eligible employee from 30 March 2020, for a maximum period of 6 months.

In response to the COVID-19 crisis, there’s been a few changes and announcements in the past few days that Australian Home Owners and business owners should be aware of. Here are four important ones:

1. Banks announce good and bad news

2. Landlords incentivised to help commercial tenants

3. First home buyers extension

4. Government launches Jobs Hub

If you are concerned about servicing your loan, reach out to your local mortgage broker for help.

As Australians everywhere take a close look at their financial circumstances, mortgage brokers stand ready to lend a helping hand.

Whether experiencing financial hardship through job loss, a reduction in work hours, or business disruption, an increasing number of Australians may be struggling to balance their books as a result of the Coronavirus, and in many cases are wondering how they will continue to pay the bills.

There have been so many developments in the past few days regarding COVID-19.

Let me share the six most crucial updates for homeowners and business owners, and what help is available for you.

1. You can pause your mortgage repayments

2. Interest rates are tumbling – should you refinance?

3. Can you switch repayments to interest-only?

4. Banks pledge big bucks to small business

5. ATO offers tax relief

6. Government allows early access to super

We’ve put together four stories below about:

1. Big property price growth predicted

2. Understanding how banks value your property

3. Delay to open banking

4. Electric/hybrid cars sales skyrocketing

Hopefully we've covered something that will help with your finance and property goals.