Financial support

If you or someone in your household are waiting for a COVID-19 PCR test result and need to stay home, you may be eligible for the COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment.

If you cannot work from home, your employer can apply to help pay you. You can also apply if you are self-employed.

Your employer can get a one-off payment of $359. Talk to your employer if you think you meet the criteria.

Applications for the Short-Term Absence Payment are closing soon.

Only PCR tests taken on or before 22 August 2022 will be accepted. Employers can apply for this payment up to 8 weeks after your PCR test.

COVID-19 Short-term Absence Payment | Work and Income (external link)

If you cannot work from home while you are self-isolating, you may be eligible for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme. Your employer needs to apply for you. You can also apply if you are self-employed.

You may also be eligible for the scheme if you or someone you care for is at higher risk of severe illness from COVID-19.

Your employer can get $600 per week if you work full time, and $359 per week if you work part time to pass on to you. Talk to your employer if you think you meet the criteria.

COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme | Work and Income (external link)

Extra help while you are self-isolating | Work and Income (external link)

If you have lost your job or you cannot work at the moment, you may be able to get help from Work and Income.

Use the online tool to find out what type of help you may qualify for.

Support if you are not working | Work and Income (external link)

If you decide not to get the COVID-19 vaccination

If you have lost your job because you decide not to get the COVID-19 vaccination, Work and Income may be able to help.

You can:

• apply for benefits or other financial support
• ask them to help you find another job.

You can get financial support from Work and Income regardless of your vaccination status.

Lost job because of vaccination requirement | Work and Income (external link)