The Australian Government has extended Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment arrangements to include Western Australia following agreement with the Western Australian Government.
The $1,500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is now available to Western Australian workers who cannot earn an income because they must self-isolate, quarantine or care for someone with COVID-19.
The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is already available in Victoria and Tasmania.
If an individual is instructed by WA Health to stay home from work, and does not have access to income such as paid leave or other Commonwealth Government payments, they may be eligible for the payment. They may also be eligible if they’re the parent or guardian of a child aged 16 or under who is a close contact or has tested positive for COVID-19 or they are caring for someone with COVID-19.
In line with arrangements with other states, Western Australian workers will not be eligible for the payment if they are receiving income, earnings or salary maintenance from work, receiving JobKeeper Payment or other forms of Australian or Western Australian Government income support. People can claim the payment again if their self-isolation, quarantine or caring period is longer than 14 days.
To date, more than $13.3 million in Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments has been paid for some 9,000 granted claims since 6 August.
The fastest and easiest way to make a claim is over the phone by calling Services Australia on 180 22 66.
