Temporary COVID Disaster Payment for workers
On 3 June 2021, the Commonwealth Government announced the Temporary COVID Disaster Payment for people who have had their hours of work and income significantly affected due to state lockdowns.
The support will be paid weekly to those workers who reside or work in a Commonwealth declared hotspot and are unable to attend work and earn an income as a result of state imposed health restrictions, which last for longer than one week. The payment will be made in respect of the second and any subsequent weeks of restrictions.
How much will workers receive?
Eligible recipients will receive up to $500 per week for losing 20 hours or more of work, and $325 per week for losing under 20 hours.
Who is eligible?
The support payment will be available for persons aged 17 and over who are Australian citizens, permanent residents and eligible working visa holders.
To qualify, people must not have liquid assets of more than $10,000 and will need to have exhausted any leave entitlements (other than annual leave) or other special pandemic leave. Individuals who are already receiving income support payments, business support payments, or the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment will not be eligible for this new payment.
Further information
Applications for the Temporary COVID Disaster Payment will be open from Tuesday 8 June 2021.
Further information may be found at the Services Australia website.
We are committed to supporting businesses during this challenging time. For further information or assistance, please contact your Bentleys advisor.
Disclaimer: This information is general in nature and should not be relied on as advice. It does not take into account the objectives, financial situation or needs of any particular person. You need to consider your financial situation and needs and seek professional advice before making any decisions based on this information.
COVID-19: A summary of Australia's tax measures
The governments of Australian states and territories have also released independent stimulus packages. For an overview of all Australian measures, click here.
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