The Federal Government is set to announce a major update to its JobSeeker program, 9News can confirm.

The Expenditure Review Committee had its final discussion about a permanent increase in the JobSeeker allowance on Friday and it will be discussed by the cabinet in Parliament tonight.

READ MORE: Couple say they 'won't survive' as JobSeeker payments slashed

This means it could be run by the Coalition party room tomorrow and then be made public.

It could mean 1,750,000 unemployed Australians will keep some of the increased payments that came with the COVID-19 supplement.

New data has revealed a staggering fall in the number of people leaning on the JobKeeper subsidy, ahead of its cut-off next month.

About 520,000 employers and 2.13 million employees have graduated from the JobKeeper program since September last year, which means they are no longer claiming the supplement.

The new payment was introduced when the pandemic hit and many were unable to work.

The ATO is also reporting a 56 per cent drop in those relying on JobKeeper between phase one ending in September and phase 2 JobKeeper ending in December.

Australia's unemployment rate has fallen to 6.4 per cent as almost 30,000 people found work during a difficult holiday for many in the southern states.

New data from the Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) showed for January 2021, employment increased by 29,100 people (0.2 per cent) to 12,939,900 people.

The total number of employment year-on-year was down by 0.4 per cent or 45,600 people.

JOBSEEKER CHANGES EXPLAINED

Up until September last year, the coronavirus supplement was fortnightly payment of $550 that is applicable for those receiving the JobSeeker payment, Youth Allowance, Austudy and a number of other payments.

The payment was scaled down to a rate of $250 per fortnight until December 31, 2020.

From January 1, this year, the coronavirus supplement will cease and the amount JobSeekers are receiving will revert back to their pre-pandemic levels.

How much you receive from JobSeeker depends largely on your personal situation.

Caring for a dependent child or children will raise your payment, while having a partner will slightly lower your payment.

For the sake of simplicity, let's assume you are single with no children.

Over the past few months, you were receiving $1115.70 a fortnight. Of this, $565.70 is the government's JobSeeker payment and $550 is the Coronavirus Supplement.

From now, that coronavirus supplement has been downgraded to $250.

That means the maximum fortnightly payment from September 25 for a single person with no children will scale down to $815.70.

A full explanation of the changes can be found on the Services Australia website here.

Crown director Harold Mitchell has stepped down after the Victorian government announced it will hold a royal commission into Crown Resorts to determine if it is suitable to hold a casino licence in the state.

The high-profile media buyer's resignation is effective immediately.

The decision to hold the royal commission comes after a New South Wales inquiry led by former Supreme Court judge Patricia Bergin found the casino group was unfit to hold a licence at its Sydney venue at Barangaroo.

https://twitter.com/9NewsMelb/status/1363751482881961984

The decision came amid allegations of poor governance and money laundering, including at Melbourne's Crown Casino.

Minister for Gaming and Liquor Regulation Melissa Horne today said there were a number of troubling issues raised in the Bergin inquiry.

"There were a number of significant issues that came out … we've gone through that inquiry line-by-line," she said.

"The most appropriate response to those findings and what will protect Victorians best is a royal commission."

Former Federal Court judge Raymond Finkelstein, QC, will be the commissioner overseeing the inquiry.

READ MORE: Crown Resorts chair pledges change after damning report

Ms Horne flagged the government would also consider establishing an independent casino regulator.

"I think that's an appropriate response to what has occurred in NSW and some of the admissions made by Crown, so that we can have the best form of regulation and a casino operator that is working within the law in Victoria," she said.

The minister said the findings of the Bergin report were "so severe" that the royal commission into the casino giant was imperative.

Crown will continue to operate in Melbourne through the royal commission.

Ms Horne said it was a fast-tracked inquiry and flagged findings would be available by the end of the year, with the first report expected in August.

It is estimated to cost taxpayers between $5 million and $7 million.

Alliance for Gambling Reform Chief Advocate Tim Costello said he was ecstatic with the decision.

"I'm delirious with joy, for nearly 20 years I've been calling for a royal commission … and I didn't think maybe I'd ever see this in my lifetime," he said.

"We know that in Victoria both sides of politics have been captured by the power of Crown."

Crown responded to the announcement late today saying it would fully cooperate with the inquiry.

In a statement, Crown's executive chairman Helen Coonan said the casino operator welcomed the decision to hold the royal commission.

"Crown welcomes the announcement from the Victorian Government as it provides an opportunity to detail the reforms and changes to our business to deliver the highest standards of governance and compliance, and an organisational culture that meets community expectations," Ms Coonan said.

"Victorians should be assured we recognise the responsibility placed on us by the community, governments and regulators and we will fully cooperate with the royal commission."

Last week the Western Australian government announced an inquiry with the powers of a royal commission into the casino group following the Bergin report.

The heat on Crown Resorts saw chief executive Ken Barton and non-executive director Andrew Demetriou resign after after coming under fire in the Bergin inquiry.

Crown directors Michael Johnston and Guy Jalland, both appointees of former chairman and major shareholder James Packer, also resigned in the days following the report's release.

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