Who has access to pandemic leave and what does it offer?

If you are unable to go to work due to coronavirus-related self-isolation or quarantine, there may be some financial support options available to you.

As the number of Australian cases continues to fluctuate, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced Victoria to extend its state of emergency while other states are working to contain various clusters and outbreaks. In an effort to contain virus transmission, various government and health official directives require people to self-isolate immediately and get tested for the virus as soon as possible.

This can prove difficult, however, for those who cannot work from home or who don’t have access to leave benefits. In response to this, the national and state governments have been working to encourage immediate self-isolation and quick-response testing with various leave options, and have been imposing fines on those who don’t comply with the rules. A variety of paid and unpaid pandemic leave options have been introduced, which vary across the different states and employment industries of Australia.

Here is a guide to some of the paid and unpaid leave options that are currently available to Australians impacted by COVID-19.

Sharon can't do it all on her own. We need our best defence and our strongest team to beat this virus.

Who's in? pic.twitter.com/W7XMGcqscp

— Dan Andrews (@DanielAndrewsMP) August 22, 2020

What is pandemic leave?

Pandemic leave provides some extra time off work to allow employees to isolate themselves and get tested for the coronavirus as needed, to help avoid the transmission of the virus in workplaces and the community in general. Pandemic leave, depending on which state you live in and your occupation, may be paid or unpaid.

Some of the paid pandemic leave available at the moment is a lump-sum payment from the government to cover you for the standard 14-day quarantine period, while other options operate like ordinary paid sick leave.

Some businesses have also introduced specific pandemic leave for their workers. For instance, back in March the Commonwealth Bank, Woolworths and Telstra all introduced paid pandemic leave for casual workers who would typically not be entitled to paid sick leave of any kind.

Stopping the spread of COVID-19 in Australia is everyone's responsibility. Your actions will save lives. If you have cold and flu symptoms, stay home and arrange to get tested. Learn more: : https://t.co/w0D7tth40U pic.twitter.com/RWOYrVUyon

— Australian Department of Health and Aged Care (@healthgovau) August 27, 2020

What pandemic leave support can people get right now?

At the time of writing, there are a range of pandemic leave options depending on where you live, your individual circumstances and the industry you work in. Some of these options include unpaid pandemic leave, a lump-sum disaster payment for Victorians, South Australians and Tasmanians and paid leave for some aged care workers who are covered by specific awards.

Some pandemic leave support options include:

• Unpaid Pandemic Leave
• Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment – Victoria
• $450 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation Payment – Victoria
• Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment – New South Wales
• Paid Pandemic Leave Scheme – South Australia
• Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment – Tasmania
• Paid Pandemic leave for aged care workers

Unpaid pandemic leave

Earlier in 2020, the Fair Work Commission made changes to a number of awards to provide eligible employees with access to unpaid pandemic leave. Temporary variations were made to 99 awards to include two weeks of unpaid pandemic leave and greater flexibility for annual leave until a specified date (the exact date varies across different awards). This may include taking twice as much annual leave at half the normal rate if your employer agrees, for example. If you’re eligible for it, the unpaid pandemic leave is available immediately without needing to be accrued and can be accessed even if you have paid leave available.

Generally, employees who are covered by one of the affected awards are able to access two weeks of unpaid pandemic leave if they are unable to work due to:

• Quarantine or self-isolation measures
• Measures taken by the government or medical authorities in response to the coronavirus, for example the closure of non-essential businesses

It is important to note that the provisions differ for each award and, while the end date of many of the provisions has been extended, some awards may no longer provide unpaid pandemic leave or flexible annual leave. A list of awards where unpaid pandemic leave or Schedule X no longer applies can be found on the Fair Work Ombudsman website.

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment for Victorians

The Australian Government has announced a new Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, which will replace the Victorian Government’s Coronavirus (COVID-19) Worker Support Payment. The lump-sum payment is intended to help Victorians who are unable to earn an income due to quarantine, self-isolation or caring for someone with the coronavirus. At this stage, the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is only available in Victoria as it is currently in a state of disaster.

We’re establishing a new Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment. There should be no reason for Victorians to go to work if they need to isolate because of #COVID19.

This new payment is for those who have exhausted their sick leave, and will be $1,500 a fortnight. pic.twitter.com/uRRskgG0Ev

— Scott Morrison (@ScoMo30) August 3, 2020

What does it offer?

The lump-sum payment is designed to help Victorians financially during quarantine, who may receive $1,500 for each 14-day period they are required to self-isolate from 5 July. As 14 days is the recommended quarantine time, you must make a new claim for each new 14-day period. Services Australia recommends checking its payment guide if you require longer-term financial assistance.

Who has access?

To be eligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment you must:

• Be at least 17 years old
• Be an Australian citizen or hold a visa giving you the right to work in Australia
• Live in Victoria
• Be unable to go to work
• Have your 14-day quarantine period or caring on or after 5 July, 2020
• Have no income from paid work, including sick leave, personal leave or carer’s leave entitlements

In addition to this, you must also be required to quarantine or self-isolate by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services for the following reasons:

• You have, or have been in close contact with someone who has, COVID-19
• You care for a child under 16 years who has COVID-19 or has been in close contact with someone who has it

If you are required to self-isolate more than once, you may be able to claim the payment for each 14-day period. Additionally, if you are in a couple, you may both be entitled to receive a payment, provided that you make separate claims.

Who doesn’t have access?

Services Australia emphasises the fact that Victorians who are required to stay home due to Stage 3 and 4 restrictions won’t necessarily meet the eligibility criteria.

You may also not be entitled to receive a Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment if you are already receiving another form of income or government assistance. This may include:

• any income, earnings or salary from paid work
• any income support payments, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Paid Parental Leave or Dad and Partner Pay
• the JobKeeper payment
• the Victorian Coronavirus (COVID-19) Worker Support Payment.

How can you claim the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment?

If you think you may be eligible for a pandemic leave payment, you are able to claim it over the phone by ringing Services Australia on 180 22 66 – Services Australia asks that you avoid visiting a service centre. According to Services Australia, its phone lines in Victoria are open from 8am until 8pm Monday to Friday.

You have until 4 February, 2021 to make a claim, however, it is your responsibility to make a claim based on your own circumstances and to make sure that the information you provide is correct.

$450 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation Payment

If you have been tested for COVID-19 and are required to isolate while you wait for the results, you may be eligible for the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation Payment in Victoria. Initially the payment was $300, however it was increased to $450 in mid-August.

#BREAKING: From today, the Test Isolation Payment will be increased from $300 to $450. This payment is for Victorians to stay home while they await their COVID-19 test results. pic.twitter.com/6HrqIoa4fN

— 10 News First Melbourne (@10NewsFirstMelb) August 13, 2020

What does it offer?

The Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation Payment is a lump-sum payment of $450 available to Victorian workers who are in self-isolation or quarantine while waiting for their test results. It is to encourage people to isolate immediately and avoid the transmission of the virus through the workplace.

You can only receive one of these payments within a 30-day period, unless you have been directed to get tested more than once by the Victorian Department of Health and Human Services.

Who has access?

You may be eligible to receive the test isolation payment if you meet the eligibility requirements, which include that you must be unable to work or earn money because you are awaiting test results and are also not receiving any other form of income or government assistance. You may not be eligible to receive the payment if you have other sick leave or carer’s leave entitlements.

If you do not self-isolate while waiting for your COVID-19 test results, you will be required to repay the $450.

How can you claim the Test Isolation Payment?

You can apply for the Test Isolation Payment via the Victorian Department of Jobs, Precincts and Regions website or over the phone.

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment For NSW

The New South Wales (NSW) Government, with assistance from the Australian Government, have announced a Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment which will give NSW workers without leave entitlements access to a lump sum payment.

Workers in NSW are the latest to qualify for paid pandemic leave under a deal struck with the federal government. https://t.co/du9gEG4OY1

— SBS News (@SBSNews) September 20, 2020

What does it offer?

The New South Wales Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is a one-off payment of $1,500 for eligible workers who are directed to self-isolate or quarantine by NSW Health. You may be eligible for a payment for each 14 day quarantine or self-isolation period.

Who has access?

The payment will be available to eligible workers who have no leave entitlements, including workers who hold a temporary visa that allows them to work in Australia. To be eligible, you must be required to quarantine or self-isolate by NSW Health, or be caring for someone with COVID-19.

You must also meet the following requirements:

• Be at least 17 years old and living in New South Wales
• Be an Australian resident or hold a visa that allows you to work in Australia
• Be unable to earn an income
• Your quarantine period begins after the 17 September, 2020

Who does not have access?

The Disaster Payment is intended to support people who are unable to earn an income due to self-isolation. Therefore, if you receive any of the following during your 14-day isolation period, you will not be eligible:

• Any income, earnings or salary
• Any income support payments or other government assistance payments such as ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Paid Parental Leave or Dad and Partner Pay
• JobKeeper Payment

How can you claim the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment?

If you think you are eligible for the New South Wales Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, Services Australia says that the easiest way to claim is over the phone. Alternatively, you can download a claim form from the Services Australia website and fax it.

It is your responsibility to make a claim based on your personal circumstances and you must make a new claim for each 14-day period you are required to self-isolate. If you have a partner, you may both be eligible to receive the payment, however you will need to make separate claims.

South Australia paid pandemic and coronavirus testing leave

South Australia has also announced that it will provide lump-sum payments of up to $1,500 for eligible workers who are unable to work due to quarantine or self-isolation measures.

South Australian casual workers, including nurses, midwives and carers, are now eligible for paid pandemic leave if forced to self-isolate or care for someone required to quarantine due to COVID-19. https://t.co/qyUYS2IoS5

— Australian Nursing & Midwifery Journal (@anmjaustralia) August 25, 2020

To be eligible for paid pandemic leave in South Australia, you must be a casual, full-time or part-time employee who has been unable to work due to self-isolation measures. You must also:

• be least 17 years old
• be a citizen, permanent resident or hold a necessary visa or work permit
• not already be receiving government assistance, such as JobKeper or JobSeeker
• have no available paid leave entitlements.

The payment is not available to people who have returned from overseas or interstate and had to enter quarantine for 14 days.

A separate upfront ‘testing’ payment of $300 will also be available for eligible workers in an identified COVID-19 cluster who are self-isolating while waiting for results from coronavirus testing.

Both payments may also be available to people who are caring for someone who is in quarantine or is awaiting results.

Tasmania pandemic leave disaster payment

Eligible Tasmanians who are unable to earn an income while self-isolating may also be able to access a $1,5000 lump-sum payment to provide financial support during the 14-day quarantine period. This payment replaces the Tasmanian Pandemic Isolation Payment.

Tasmanians are now eligible for a $1500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment if they cannot work because they need to self-isolate or quarantine, after an agreement between the Commonwealth and Tasmanian Governments.

To claim call 180 22 66.https://t.co/H3oXTIZRF0

— Scott Morrison (@ScoMo30) August 26, 2020

To be eligible, the quarantine or self-isolation must be under the directions of a health official. This includes a person who is employed by a state or regional department of health, a registered GP or a nurse doctor or registrar at a hospital.

According to Services Australia, you must also meet the following requirements:

• you’re at least 17 years old and live in Tasmania
• you’re an Australian resident or hold a visa that gives you the right to work in Australia
• you’re unable to go to work and earn an income
• you have no sick leave entitlements, including pandemic sick leave, personal leave or leave to care for another person.

If you are in a couple, you can both receive the payment however you must make separate claims. You are entitled to the full $1,500 sum as long as you are eligible for a minimum of one day during the 14-day period.

If you think that you satisfy the above criteria, you can claim the pandemic leave disaster payment in Tasmania by calling Services Australia on on 180 22 66 between the hours of 8 am to 5 pm Monday to Friday.

Paid pandemic leave for aged care workers

If you are an eligible residential aged care employee, you may have access to paid pandemic leave in some awards. A temporary new Schedule Y issued by the Fair Work Commission provides support to those covered by the Aged Care Award, Nurses Award and Health Services Award who work in the aged care industry.

The Fair Work Commission has granted aged workers across the country paid pandemic leave after finding that the low-paid workers may seek to attend work even if infected. https://t.co/pP4Jd8z0GU

— Financial Review (@FinancialReview) July 27, 2020

What does it offer?

Schedule Y offers eligible employees up to two weeks of paid pandemic leave if they can’t go to work or work from home for a coronavirus-related reason. These reasons may include being required to self-isolate or quarantine, awaiting test results or showing symptoms of coronavirus, among other things.

Who has access?

According to the Fair Work Ombudsman, Schedule Y applies to employers and employees who are:

• covered by the Aged Care Award
• covered by the Nurses Award and working in the aged care industry
• covered by the Health Services Award and working in the aged care industry.

It may be available to full-time and part-time employees, as well as casual employees who are employed on a regular basis.

Employees may not be entitled to paid leave under Schedule Y if they are already entitled to other paid sick or carer’s leave or worker’s compensation benefits. The leave needs to start before 29 October 2020, and you are required to be tested for coronavirus each time you apply. If you refuse to get tested or don’t agree to get tested as soon as you can, you may not be entitled to take paid leave.

How can you claim paid pandemic leave if you work in aged care?

Those who are eligible may access Paid Pandemic Leave through their employer or place of work. Employees must let their employer know that they plan to take pandemic leave and their reasoning as soon as possible, the Fair Work Ombudsman says.

So what next?

As the coronavirus situation continues to change regularly, so too does the government response and directives from health officials. Your best bet is to regularly check with official sources such as your state government, the Fair Work Ombudsman and Services Australia to see what pandemic leave options are available to you, as well as the ones which may no longer be in effect.

If you are looking for further financial support specific to coronavirus, you might also be interested in:

• Health funds which are offering relief during COVID-19
• When do the government COVID relief and support packages expire?
• Mortgage repayment deferrals
• No-interest loans

Header Image Source: Imagesine (Shutterstock)

Article updated on 23 September, 2020.

This article was reviewed by Senior Finance Journalist Ellie McLachlan and our Sub-editor Tom Letts before it was updated as part of our fact-checking process.