The two updates provided below for USU/ASU members cover the July 2021 Support Package as well as the Self-Isolation/Quarantine payments.

1. July 2021 COVID-19 Support Package: Information for USU/ASU members

Recently the Federal Government together with State governments have announced several assistance packages designed to support workers and businesses in response to the current COVID-19 outbreaks.  

For Workers
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment

A payment of $1,500 (for each 14-day period) if you are unable to earn an income because you must self-isolate or quarantine. 
Eligibility periods differ between states and territories. For more information and to apply, please visit Services Australia.
 
Covid-19 Disaster Payment

A worker who is affected by the lockdown may be eligible for a disaster relief payment. Currently workers in Victoria, NSW and SA may be eligible for the disaster payment. Each State currently affected has specific rules for eligibility. The disaster payment varies based on length of lockdown. For NSW workers who lost work in the first two weeks of lockdown,  the payment is $500 a week if a worker has lost 20 or more hours of work a week and $325 for less than 20 hours of work. From 23 July NSW and Victorian workers will be able to claim $600 a week if a worker has lost 20 or more hours of work a week and $375 for less than 20 hours of work. Claims for SA will open on 28 July.

It’s important for workers to apply as soon as they can as claims for each week of lockdown open and close at their own individual times. For more information on eligibility requirements and to apply, please visit Services Australia.
 
COVID-19 Test Isolation payment
Several States have introduced an isolation payment for workers who were likely to work or rostered to work and did not receive any income due to post-test self-isolation requirement and have no entitlement to relevant leave or have exhausted all leave entitlements. Please visit your relevant State website for more information.
 
Victoria – Victoria Government
South Australia – Government of South Australia.
ACT – ACT Government

Disclaimer: This is general guidance only and was correct at the time of writing at 22 July 2021.

2. COVID-19 Self-isolation/Quarantine payments: Information for USU/ASU members

The Australian Government and some Australian states and territories are providing payments to some workers during coronavirus.  

Employees who can’t work because of COVID-19

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
A payment of $1,500 (for each 14-day period) if you are unable to earn an income because you must self-isolate or quarantine, or are caring for someone who has COVID-19.
 
Eligibility periods differ between states and territories. For more information and to apply, please visit Services Australia.

Employees getting COVID-19 tests

COVID-19 Test Isolation payment
Several states have introduced an isolation payment for workers who were likely to work or rostered to work and did not receive any income due to post-test self-isolation requirement and have no entitlement to relevant leave or have exhausted all leave entitlements.
 
Victoria – Victorian workers can apply for a $450 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation Payment that provides financial support while they self-isolate to wait for the results of a coronavirus (COVID-19) test. For more information and to apply, please visit:  Victoria Government
 
South Australia – a single $300 payment to provide financial support to workers in South Australia who are required to self-isolate because of a public health direction from SA Health and mandatory COVID-19 testing, and do not have access to paid leave or other income support. For more information and to apply, please visit: Government of South Australia.
 
ACT – $270 will be made to eligible workers who isolate while awaiting their COVD-19 result. This payment covers up to three days in isolation. If an individual’s test result takes longer than three
days they may be eligible to receive $90 per day for each additional day they await their result. For more information and to apply, please visit: ACT Government
 
Tasmania 
Low income – A one-off payment is available to low-income persons who are required by Public Health to self-isolate due to COVID-19 risk. The amount depends on the size of your household: $250 per adult; $125 per child. Maximum capped at $1000 per household.

Casuals and self-employed – A $250 payment is available to eligible casual workers and self-employed persons who are unable to work while they are awaiting a COVID-19 test result. For more information and to apply, please visit: Tasmanian Government
 

What other support is available?

We know this is a very stressful time, if you or someone you know needs help do not hesitate to reach out to Lifeline 131114 or Beyond Blue 1300 224 636.
 
For support with any workplace issues, please contact your USU Organiser.
 
Your union, the USU/ASU has continued to campaign for the government to reinstate JobKeeper and increase the JobSeeker payments.
 
Until enough Australians are vaccinated and the need for lockdowns ends, we urgently need income support in the form of JobKeeper payments to keep workers financially supported to get through the pandemic and any stand-downs, and keep workers connected to their employer.
 
We all deserve security and dignity and we will continue to campaign for the right support for all USU/ASU members.
 
Disclaimer: This is general guidance only and was correct at the time of writing at 19 July 2021.