Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment reinstated

In recognition of the risks associated with more infectious new Covid-19 variants through the winter period, the Federal Government has agreed to reinstate the ‘Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment’ to 30 September 2022, which was otherwise set to end as of 30 June 2022.

Eligibility for the payment will be backdated to 1 July 2022, to ensure that anyone unable to work owing to isolation requirements in this period, without access to paid sick leave, is supported.

Access to these payments will commence from Wednesday 20 July 2022, with existing eligibility requirements to continue.

The Commonwealth and the States and Territories have agreed to share the costs of the payment 50:50.

For each 7-day period of self-isolation, quarantine or caring, the Pandemic Leave Disaster payment is:

• $450 if you lost at least 8 hours or a full day’s work, and less than 20 hours of work: or
• $750 if you lost 20 hours or more of work.

As a reminder, Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments are assessable income and should be reported in the tax return of the recipient in the year of receipt.