UPDATE (22/07/2020): If you wish to apply for this payment, the State Government has advised for workers to call directly to 1800 675 398. Stay home if you are tested, until you have your result and if you're not eligIble for paid leave, apply to access this payment.

The Government’s Coronavirus Worker Support Payment is available to workers who are facing hardship due to the impacts of COVID-19.

From June 20th, workers have been able to apply to receive a payment of $1,500 if you meet the criteria set out by the Government.

If you have been instructed by the Department of Health and Human Services to self-isolate or quarantine due to exposure to COVID-19, you may be eligible for the payment, if you are also:

• 17 years and over;
• Currently residing in Victoria (including people on Temporary Protection Visas and Temporary Working Visas 457 and 482);
• In continuing employment, likely to have worked during the period of self-isolation or quarantine and unable to work as a result of the requirement to self-isolate;
• Not receiving any income, earnings or salary maintenance from their work as a result of not being able to work during the period of self-isolation;
• A worker that has exhausted sick leave entitlements including any special pandemic leave;
• Not receiving the JobKeeper payment or other forms of Australian Government income support.

All workers who meet the criteria can apply, including those that are permanent, casual, part-time, fixed term, and self-employed.

How can I access this payment?

The Department of Health and Human Services’ contact tracing team directly contacts all confirmed coronavirus (COVID-19) cases and their close contacts.

If you are contacted by DHHS about being a confirmed case or a close contact of a confirmed case, a needs assessment for the payment will be done over the phone. This is the only way to access this payment.

If you have been in this situation but have not been advised of the payment, you can contact the coronavirus hotline on 1800 675 398 or contact HACSU Assist on 1300 651 931.

For more information see this website.