New $750 COVID payments rolled out

Australians forced to isolate or quarantine for seven days will be eligible for a $750 support payment, in a new Pandemic Leave Payment.

Previously, people who were unable to earn an income due to COVID-19 isolation, care or quarantine requirements could only access the $1,500 payments for each 14-day period.

However, as people who are fully vaccinated no longer need to quarantine or isolate for 14 days, the structure of the payment has changed, Minister for Emergency Management Bridget McKenzie said.

“If a person is unable to work for longer than seven days, they can make separate claims for each seven-day period,” she said.

“The changes to the payment reflect the equivalent assistance over a shorter period.”

Government Services Minister Linda Reynolds added that the fastest way to claim the payments is by calling the Australian Government Emergency Information Line on 180 22 66.

“Staff from Services Australia are available to take calls between 8am to 5pm local time, Monday to Friday,” Reynolds said.

Am I eligible for the new $750 Pandemic Leave Payment?

Most people will be eligible for the lump sum payment if they have been diagnosed with COVID-19, have been considered a close contact of a confirmed case or need to care for a confirmed COVID-19 case, or a close contact.

However, in order to claim the payment, workers need to prove that they have lost their ability to earn an income. For example, someone who normally works from home will be unable to claim the payment as they can continue to do their job while isolating.

Additionally, they cannot be accessing other forms of income support, like JobSeeker payments.

Similarly, they cannot claim the payment if they’re claiming a Test and Isolate payment.

Both members of a couple can claim the payment.

The payments are considered taxable income and need to be included on income tax returns.

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