If your income has reduced and must self-isolate or quarantine because either you, a close contact or someone you care for has tested positive for COVID-19, you should apply for all government assistance payments for which you are eligible.

This page has information about COVID-19 payments and other financial assistance available from the Commonwealth Government and the State or Territory Government in which you live.

The Centrelink Payment and Service Finder can also help you understand what Centrelink payments and other government assistance you could be eligible to receive.

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment

The Australian government’s Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment ended on 30 June 2022.

However, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases nationwide, this payment was reinstated on 20 July 2022 and will end 30 September 2022.

Please note:  If you are eligible and you started your isolation, quarantine or caring period between 1 July 2022 and 19 July 2022, you have until 2 August 2022 to submit a claim to receive this payment.

Eligibility

You may be eligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment if you can’t work and earn income for any one of the following reasons:

• you have COVID-19;
• you are a close contact of a person who has COVID-19;
• a child you care for who is 16 years or under, is a close contact of a person who has COVID-19;
• you are caring for someone who has COVID-19; or
• you are caring for someone with a disability or a severe medical condition who must self-isolate or quarantine because they are a close contact of a person with COVID-19.

Note:  You must be living in the same household as the person you are caring for.

Additional eligibility criteria

To receive the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, you also need to meet all of the following criteria:

• You are at least 17 years old.
• You are an Australian resident or hold a visa that provides the right to work in Australia.
• You were living in Australia during the isolation or caring period you are claiming for AND you are living in Australia at the time of your claim.
• You were unable to work and lost at least 8 hours or a full day’s work in a 7-day period of isolation, quarantine or caring.
• You have no appropriate leave entitlements eg., carers leave.
• You had less than $10,000 in liquid assets eg., cash or cash in the bank, on the first day of the period you are claiming for.
• You are not able to work from home.

Who is not eligible?

Not everyone who must self-isolate, quarantine or care for someone who does, can get the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.

For example, you will not be eligible to receive the payment if, during the period you wish to claim for, you got or will get:

• Any income, earnings or salary from paid work
• Any Centrelink income support payments such as Jobseeker, Age Pension, Disability Support Pension or Farm Household Allowance
• Any other Centrelink payments such as ABSTUDY, Living Allowance, Parental Leave Pay or Dad or Partner Pay
• Any COVID-19 test, hardship or isolation payment from your state or territory government.

If you receive a Centrelink income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance, and you have lost income from part-time or casual work because you or someone you are caring for are required to quarantine or self-isolate, you may be eligible for the COVID-19 Crisis Payment instead.

For more information see Services Australia – Crisis Payment for COVID-19.

Payment Amount

If you are eligible, how much you get will depend on the hours of work you lost.

• If you lost at least 8 hours or a full day’s work, you are entitled to receive a payment of $450 for each 7-day period of isolation, quarantine or caring.
• If you lost 20 hours or more of work, you are entitled to receive the full payment of $750 for each 7-day period of isolation, quarantine or caring.

What else is important for me to know?

• You must make a new claim for each 7-day period
• You must submit your claim for the payment within 14 days of the start of each of your isolation, quarantine or caring periods.
• If you’re a member of a couple, you can both claim this payment. You and your partner will need to complete separate claims.
• The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is taxable income. This means you’ll need to include it in your Income Tax Return.

More information

If you are not sure if you are eligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster payment, you can complete the online claim , answer all the questions truthfully and provide the required supporting evidence.  If your claim is declined and you are not sure why then call and speak to Centrelink to understand why.

For more details about eligibility and to make a claim go to Services Australia – Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.

State and territory COVID-19 payments

Some States and Territories have been providing a one-off payment for eligible residents who need to self-isolate, quarantine, or care for someone who does, and cannot work because they have COVID or are awaiting a COVID-19 test result.

These payments have ended in all States except for Tasmania and Victoria who continue to provide some financial support.

Open Payments

• ACT: COVID-19 Hardship Isolation Payment $270.  This payment ended 30 June 2022.  Eligible applicants who tested on 30 June 2022 have until 12 August 2022 to apply.
• TAS: Pandemic Isolation Grant $750.
• VIC: Victorian Sick Pay Guarantee for casual and contract workers in certain jobs.  Provides up to 38 hours a year of sick and carer’s pay for eligible applicants.

Closed Payments

• NSW: COVID-19 Test and Isolate Payment $320.  This payment ended 31 January 2022 and applications are closed.
• SA: COVID-19 Testing Isolation Payment $300.  This payment has ended and applications are closed.
• WA: COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment $320.  This payment has ended and all applications are closed.

For more information on other assistance available from your State or Territory Government see State and Territory Government Assistance below.

Centrelink Crisis Payments

There are different types of Crisis Payments for different circumstances.

To get a Crisis Payment you need to meet eligibility criteria for the type of Crisis Payment you are claiming AND you must meet all of the following criteria:

• Be in severe financial hardship.
• Receive or be eligible to receive a Centrelink income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance.
• Be experiencing one of the following extreme circumstances:
  • COVID-19 – you or someone you are caring for are required to quarantine or self-isolate
  • Family and Domestic Violence – you’ve experienced an incident of family and domestic violence
  • Disaster – you’ve had to leave your home because of a natural or other disaster not covered by a disaster relief payment
  • Humanitarian – you’ve arrived in Australia as a humanitarian entrant for the first time
  • Confinement – you were released from prison or psychiatric confinement.

COVID-19 Crisis Payment

The COVID-19 Crisis Payment ended 30 June 2022. However, due to the rising number of COVID-19 cases nationwide, this payment was reinstated on 20 July 2022 and will end 30 September 2022.

If you are eligible, you can get a maximum of two (2) COVID-19 Crisis Payments in a 6-month period.  The amount of each payment is equal to a week’s pay of your income support payment or ABSTUDY Living Allowance.

Claims between 1 July 2022 to 19 July 2022

If you are eligible and you started your isolation, quarantine or caring period between 1 July 2022 and 19 July 2022, you have until 2 August 2022 to contact Centrelink, either by starting a claim online or calling them, to receive this payment.  You then have another 14 days from the day you contacted Centrelink to complete and submit your claim.

For more information about the COVID-19 and other Crisis Payments see Services Australia – Crisis Payment.

Centrelink Advance Payment

Centrelink Advance Payment – Although not a crisis payment, if you already receive a Centrelink payment and need to access additional funds, you may qualify for an advance payment. You will need to pay this back over time out of future payments from Centrelink.

Mutual obligation requirements

Mutual obligation requirements are tasks and activities you agree to while getting certain payments from Services Australia.

This means that if you’re a job seeker you must:

• do all the tasks and activities listed in your Job Plan
• go to appointments with your employment services provider
• complete and report your job searches
• accept any offer of suitable paid work.

Special Circumstances Exemptions continue to be available to job seekers who require them.  Examples include if you’re sick, or injured, or experiencing a crisis such as domestic violence or homelessness.  You will need to provide Centrelink with proof of your circumstances for your exemption to be assessed.

If you’re impacted by COVID-19, Centrelink may grant you an exemption for up to 14 days without evidence if you’re either:

• self-isolating; or
• caring for someone who needs to self-isolate.

Go to Services Australia: Mutual Obligation Requirements for more details.

COVID-19 and Sole Traders

If you’re a sole trader or small business, and you’ve experienced a reduction in your income from COVID-19, travel restrictions or global supply chain disruptions, you may be eligible to receive financial support from your State or Territory Government.

Support packages vary from state to state and will depend on a number of factors including the restrictions in place, industry sector, and the level of lost income.

Find COVID-19 financial support for small business in your state or territory here.

You can also call 1800 413 828 to speak to a specialist small business financial counsellor on the Small Business Debt Helpline. This service provides free, independent and confidential advice to small business owners and sole traders in financial difficulty.  The specialist financial counsellors can provide advice on a range of areas including government grants, disaster relief, loan repayments, bills, rent, bankruptcy and insolvency.  The website is sbdh.org.au.

State and Territory Government assistance

It is worth keeping up to date with financial assistance measures that may be available to support individuals, households and small businesses in your State or Territory. Click on the relevant link below to find out more.

Australian Capital Territory

Cost of Living support:  The ACT Government has a range of discounts, rebates and subsidies to relieve cost of living pressures in areas like housing, transport, bills and dental care. Use the Savings Finder for a list of the savings that may be relevant to you and information on how to apply.

COVID-19 support:  Details on all assistance available can be accessed by calling the ACT Government COVID-19 helpline on 02 6207 7244 or at ACT Government COVID-19 Support

New South Wales

Cost of Living support:  The NSW Government has a range of rebates and savings available to help ease the cost of living for NSW residents.  These include Toll Relief, Energy Rebates, Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) vouchers, the NSW Spectacles program and more. See NSW Government – Cost of Living for more information or to use the Savings Finder to find rebates and savings you may be eligible for.

COVID-19 support:  Details on all assistance available can be accessed by calling the NSW Government COVID-19 hotline 13 77 88 or at NSW Government COVID-19 Support

Northern Territory residents

Cost of Living support:  The NT Concession Scheme provides concessions on a range of essential goods and services to help with living expenses.  See NT Government – Concession Scheme for more information.

You can also find information about emergency financial aid on the Northern Territory Government’s ShelterMe website.

COVID-19 support:  Details on assistance available can be accessed by calling the NT COVID-19 hotline 1800 490 484 or at NT Government COVID-19 Wellbeing Support.

Queensland

Cost of Living support:  The QLD Government has a range of concessions and savings available to help ease the cost of living for QLD residents.  These include the Electricity Rebate Scheme, Home Energy Emergency Assistance Scheme, Bond loans and rental grants, Spectacle Supply Scheme, Oral health Scheme, and more.  See QLD Government – Cost of Living Support for more information.

COVID-19 support:  Details on all assistance available can be accessed by calling 13 74 68 or at QLD Government COVID-19 Support.

South Australia

Cost of Living support:  The SA Government has a range of concessions, benefits and grants available to help ease the cost of living for SA residents. These include energy bill concessions, School Card scheme, FuneralAssistanceSA, GlassesSA, and more. See SA Government – Concessions and Grants for information.

Tasmania

Cost of Living support:  The Tasmanian government offers a wide range of discounts and concessions to individuals and households to help with the cost of living and access to essential services. These include annual electricity concession, private rental assistance, Student Assistance Scheme, Spectacles Assistance Scheme, and more. See TAS Government – Discounts and Concessions for more information.

COVID-19 support:  Details of assistance available can be accessed by calling the Tasmanian Public Health Hotline on 1800 671 738 or at Tasmanian Government COVID-19 Financial Services and Support.

There is more information here for temporary visa holders, including about Pandemic Isolation Assistance Grants and other emergency relief and assistance.

Victoria

Cost of Living support:  A range of concessions and grants are available to Victorians who are on low incomes or experiencing hardship and need help meeting the cost of living. These include the Utility Relief Grant Scheme, MyPost Concession Account, Victorian Eyecare Service, Bereavement assistance, and more. See VIC Government – Concessions and Benefits for more information.

COVID-19 support:  The Victorian Government is providing additional financial assistance and support to help individuals and business affected by COVID-19.  Details on all assistance available can be accessed at Coronavirus.vic.gov.au.

Western Australia

Cost of Living support:  The WA government offers a range of rebates, concessions and financial assistance to individuals to help meet the cost of certain household bills and other essential services.   See WA Government – ConcessionsWA for more information.

Speak to one of our financial counsellors

If you’re feeling overwhelmed and need some help to deal with your financial hardship, you can speak with one of our financial counsellors.

Financial counsellors aren’t judgmental about your circumstances – they’re here to offer you free, confidential and independent advice and assistance.

To speak to a financial counsellor you can:

• Call the National Debt Helpline on 1800 007 007 – open Weekdays from 9:30 am to 4:30 pm.
• Use our live chat service by clicking the chat icon in the bottom right corner of your screen. Live chat is available 9:00 am to 8.00 pm weekdays. If you send a message outside these hours a financial counsellor will get back to you.
• Make an appointment to see a financial counsellor in your local area – Find a local Financial Counsellor.