COVID-19 Disaster Payment
What is the value of the COVID-19 disaster payment?
Eligible workers will receive $750 per week if they lose 20 hours or more of work while those that lose between 8 and less than 20 hours, or a full day of work, will receive a payment of $450 per week12.
When is an employee eligible for this COVID-19 Disaster Payment?
You may be able to get the COVID-19 Disaster Payment if you:
- live in, work from or have visited a Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspot;
- live in, work from or have visited a location subject to a state or territory restricted movement order;
- had paid employment and because you were in the COVID-19 hotspot or are subject to restricted movement, you can’t attend work;
- don’t have any appropriate paid leave entitlements; and
- aren’t getting Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, or a state-based pandemic payment.
Where can I find additional guidance?
Services Australia has provided this clip to explain how to claim online.
To claim online through myGOV, you will need to provide:
- how many hours of work lost;
- the employer’s ABN; and
- proof that no payment claim has been made before.
You will need identity documents e.g. birth certificate and driver’s license.
Work visa holders are to call 180 22 66 to make a claim.
If successful, payments are automatic and paid within seven days.
You only need to make an initial claim and it will continue automatically after that.
Employees are not able to claim the COVID-19 Disaster Payment if they are on paid leave (including the Award-provided pandemic leave annual leave at half-pay entitlement).
1 Prime Minister statement: COVID-19 Disaster Support Payment Boosted
2. News article: COVID-19 disaster payment to be available to Queenslanders