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23 October 2020
The Australian Government has extended Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment arrangements in place with Victoria, New South Wales, Western Australia and Tasmania to South Australia following agreement with the SA Government.
The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is a lump sum payment to help an individual during the 14-day self-isolation, quarantine or caring period.
The ANMF (SA Branch) and other unions had for months lobbied for paid pandemic leave, with the State Government agreeing to one-off payments of up to $1,500 back in August.
“This is a positive move for our members, who are at greater risk of exposure to the virus than the general community,’’ ANMF (SA Branch) CEO/Secretary Adj. Associate Professor Elizabeth Dabars AM said at the time.
The SA Government had previously been in discussions with the Federal Government to determine whether South Australia also qualified for Commonwealth support, in line with other states, but the request was knocked back.
The new agreement, announced today, will see the Commonwealth Government extend the $1,500 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment to South Australian workers who cannot earn an income because they must self-isolate, quarantine or care for someone with COVID-19.
If an individual is instructed by a health official to self-isolate or quarantine, and they have used up all appropriate leave entitlements, including any special pandemic leave, they may be eligible to make a claim.
In line with arrangements with other states, South Australian workers will not be eligible for the payment if they are receiving income, earnings or salary maintenance from work, receiving the JobKeeper payment or other forms of Australian Government income support, or receive a Pandemic Leave payment from the South Australian Government.
The payment can be claimed again should an extended self-isolation or quarantine period longer than 14 days be instructed by health officials, or their period of caring is extended.
To date, more than $15.5 million in Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments have been paid for more than 10,300 granted claims since 6 August.
The fastest and easiest way to make a claim is over the phone by calling 180 22 66. The Government asks to not visit a service centre.
Further information is available at
www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/disaster.