ROOT
COVID-19 Disaster Payment restrictions waived after Sydney lockdown extended
ROOT
COVID-19 Disaster Payment restrictions waived after Sydney lockdown extended
The federal government’s latest form of relief for workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic is a now a little easier to get.
COVID-19 Disaster Payment restrictions waived after Sydney lockdown extended
The federal government’s latest form of relief for workers impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic is a now a little easier to get.
As Sydney prepares to enter its third week in lockdown, Scott Morrison has announced key changes to the federal government’s disaster payment scheme.
Speaking to the press on Thursday, the Prime Minister confirmed that the liquid assets test for the Commonwealth’s COVID-19 Disaster Payment scheme will be waived for Sydneysiders affected by the most recent lockdown.
Brought in following Melbourne’s COVID-19 outbreak in May, the COVID-19 Disaster Payment scheme provides eligible individuals with $325 per week for people who lose less than 20 hours of paid work per week due to a lockdown or $500 for people who lose 20 or more hours.
Importantly, the payment does not cover the first seven days of a lockdown and does not support individuals receiving any form of social security or financial support from the government.
The COVID-19 Disaster Payment also initially excluded those who have more than $10,000 in liquid assets. As of this week, that is no longer the case.
“It doesn’t matter what funds you have available to you in your bank account or that you can readily convert to cash,” Mr Morrison said.
According to him, the motive for the change is a sign of recognition “that we’re not just dealing with a one-week period or a two-week period, that this is now going into a third week with further decisions to be taken”.
It’s expected that the change will make the relief payment more accessible to affected NSW citizens as the state enters its third week of lockdown, following an outbreak in late June.
The Australian Council of Social Services and others have previously called on the federal government to address gaps in the COVID-19 Disaster Payment scheme.
Back in June, ACOSS argued that “payments should apply for the entire duration of lockdowns, not just after the first week. In the event the duration of a lockdown is not known from the outset, people should be back paid for the first week of the lockdown.”
The organisation also criticised the strings attached to the payment.
“We welcome that the COVID Disaster Payment applies to people on temporary working visas. However, most international students on these visas are only allowed to work 20 hours per week so will only be eligible for the lower payment, which is below the poverty line and only slightly higher than the current JobSeeker rate,” they said.
RELATED ARTICLES
About the author
About the author
Earn
Australian employment data shows mixed signals as full-time jobs rise despite overall decline
Australia's employment landscape presented mixed signals in May, with overall employment declining despite a strong rise in full-time positions, according to analysis of the latest Labour Force dataRead more
Earn
Millennials face 'generational squeeze' as most vulnerable group in retirement
Millennials will be the most vulnerable demographic to face the "generational squeeze" in retirement, caught between supporting elderly parents and adult children while funding their own later years, ...Read more
Earn
Top workplaces for women in 2025 highlight progress in gender equity and inclusive leadership
Australia’s top workplaces for women in 2025 have been announced, recognising companies that are leading the way in gender equity, flexible work arrangements and inclusive leadership development. Read more
Earn
Employee satisfaction dips as Australian workplaces tackle retention challenges
Australian workplace satisfaction has declined to 78 per cent as companies grapple with economic pressures and changing work dynamics, according to a new report. Read more
Earn
Simplify your finances: The benefits of debt consolidation loans in Australia
In an era where managing multiple debts has become a common financial challenge for many Australians, debt consolidation loans emerge as a practical solution to streamline finances and regain controlRead more
Earn
Long-term welfare dependency declines despite rise in JobSeeker recipients
New research from e61 Institute has revealed that, contrary to popular belief, the number of people reliant on the benefit system in Australia has declined over the past two decades, despite an ...Read more
Earn
Best property investment strategies in Australia for 2024: An expert's perspective
As the Australian property market continues to evolve, investors are keenly looking for strategies that will yield the best returns in 2024. Read more
Earn
Innovative tax saving techniques for individuals and families
Tax time can be daunting for many Australians, but with some innovative planning and smart strategies, individuals and families can maximise their tax savings. Read more
Earn
Australian employment data shows mixed signals as full-time jobs rise despite overall decline
Australia's employment landscape presented mixed signals in May, with overall employment declining despite a strong rise in full-time positions, according to analysis of the latest Labour Force dataRead more
Earn
Millennials face 'generational squeeze' as most vulnerable group in retirement
Millennials will be the most vulnerable demographic to face the "generational squeeze" in retirement, caught between supporting elderly parents and adult children while funding their own later years, ...Read more
Earn
Top workplaces for women in 2025 highlight progress in gender equity and inclusive leadership
Australia’s top workplaces for women in 2025 have been announced, recognising companies that are leading the way in gender equity, flexible work arrangements and inclusive leadership development. Read more
Earn
Employee satisfaction dips as Australian workplaces tackle retention challenges
Australian workplace satisfaction has declined to 78 per cent as companies grapple with economic pressures and changing work dynamics, according to a new report. Read more
Earn
Simplify your finances: The benefits of debt consolidation loans in Australia
In an era where managing multiple debts has become a common financial challenge for many Australians, debt consolidation loans emerge as a practical solution to streamline finances and regain controlRead more
Earn
Long-term welfare dependency declines despite rise in JobSeeker recipients
New research from e61 Institute has revealed that, contrary to popular belief, the number of people reliant on the benefit system in Australia has declined over the past two decades, despite an ...Read more
Earn
Best property investment strategies in Australia for 2024: An expert's perspective
As the Australian property market continues to evolve, investors are keenly looking for strategies that will yield the best returns in 2024. Read more
Earn
Innovative tax saving techniques for individuals and families
Tax time can be daunting for many Australians, but with some innovative planning and smart strategies, individuals and families can maximise their tax savings. Read more
