Victorian workers who, as of 20 June, have been instructed by the government to self-isolate or quarantine at home, due to being diagnosed with coronavirus or are a close contact of a confirmed case, are now entitled to a one-off $1500 worker support payment. The worker support payment was introduced by the Department of Health and Human Services which recognises that self-isolation/quarantine at home could cause a financial burden for some individuals and families left without any income during this period.
Providing financial support can help alleviate this burden, making it easier for people to comply with the direction to stay at home.
Eligibility for the COVID-19 worker support payment
To be eligible for the payment, people must have coronavirus or be a close contact and must have been instructed by the Department of Health and Human Services to self-isolate or quarantine at home and be:
- 17 years and over
- Currently residing in Victoria (including people on Temporary Protection Visas and Temporary Working Visas 457 and 482)
- In continuing employment, likely to have worked during the period of self-isolation or quarantine at home and unable to work as a result of the requirement to self-isolate or quarantine at home
- Workers who are not receiving any income, earnings or salary maintenance from their work as a result of not being able to work during the period of self-isolation or quarantine at home
- Workers that have exhausted sick leave entitlements including any special pandemic leave
- Not receiving the JobKeeper payment or other forms of Australian Government income support
Workers include those that are permanent, casual, part-time, fixed term, and self-employed.
How to apply for a worker support payment
All confirmed coronavirus cases and their close contacts will be contacted by the Department of Health and Human Services as well as the contact tracing team. A needs assessment for the payment will be done over the phone.
For any visa related matters, speak to a MARA registered migration consultant by making a booking at https://www.amsmigration.com.au/en/home/.
