How to Apply for Victoria's $1,500 Coronavirus Disaster Payment

The payment could be extended to other states if similar situations occur.

With the number of confirmed coronavirus cases continuing to rise in Victoria, more and more people have been forced to take time off work to self-isolate. However, not everyone is entitled to sick leave. 

The federal government has announced that a $1,500 "disaster payment" will be introduced for workers who are required to self-isolate due to coronavirus but do not have leave entitlements.

So, am I eligible for the payment? 

At the moment, the disaster payment is only available to Victorians. Although, it could be extended to other states and territories if similar situations occur. 

It'll be given to workers who need to self-isolate for 14 days because of coronavirus, but do not have enough sick leave or payments through JobKeeper or JobSeeker to cover them.

"We will make sure that everyone else who finds themselves in this situation and they don't have that leave available to them through their sick leave because it's been exhausted will get a $1,500 payment that fortnight," Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison said at a press conference.

As reported by The Guardian, the new $1,500 payment will support the Victorian government's existing payment system. Victoria's existing payment will now mostly be offered to temporary visa-holders, while the Commonwealth will pay for Aussie citizens and residents.

The Victorian government will still continue to pay $300 to workers awaiting test results. 

Considering the payment is designed to cover the 14-day self-isolation period, you could be able to access the payment more than once if you need to self-isolate multiple times.

Okay, so how do I apply for it?

You'll be able to apply for the disaster payment from Wednesday 5 August if you've got no sick leave and need to self-isolate. 

The payments will be rolled out in the same way as the disaster payments for the bushfires earlier this year.

Mr Morrison said applications should be made over the phone, so all you'll need to do to apply is phone 180-22-66. 

Why is it being introduced now?

The government has been facing pressure to introduce a paid pandemic leave scheme to prevent workers without sick leave from feeling financial pressure to break isolation and head into work. 

Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews has said people going to work while displaying COVID-19 symptoms has been the biggest driver of community transmission. 

Earlier this week, the Victorian government implemented Stage 4 restrictions across metropolitan Melbourne to curb the spread of coronavirus.

Mr Andrews also revealed that a number of businesses, including some retail stores and personal services, will need to shut their doors. 

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