The Federal Government has announced that COVID-19 Disaster Payments will cease once certain vaccination thresholds have been met. Here’s an outline of the vaccination milestones to watch out for, what will change, and what recipients of the payment need to do.
When Victoria reaches 70 per cent fully vaccinated
Once a State or Territory reaches 70 per cent fully vaccinated, individuals who are 16 years or older, the automatic renewal of the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will cease for people who have been receiving the payment. When this happens, individuals will need to reapply each week to confirm their eligibility for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment.
When Victoria reaches 80 per cent fully vaccinated
Once a state or territory reaches 80 per cent full vaccinated (individuals who are 16 years or older), the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will be reduced over a two-week period and then cease.
Individuals will need to reapply each week to confirm their eligibility for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment during these final two weeks. For more information about this reduction and cessation process, click here.
In the first week after a state or territory reaches 80 per cent fully vaccinated, COVID-19 Disaster Payment will be reduced to:
- $450 for individuals who can show they have lost more than eight hours of work and are not getting an eligible Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs payment; or
- $100 for individuals who can show they have lost more than eight hours of work and are getting an eligible Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs payment.
In the second week after a state or territory reaches 80 per cent fully vaccinated, COVID-19 Disaster Payment will:
- be reduced to $320 for individuals who have lost more than eight hours of work and are not getting an eligible Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs payment; or
- end for individuals who are getting an eligible Centrelink or Department of Veterans’ Affairs payment.
After this two-week period, the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will cease permanently.
If you are still unable to return to work/earn a sufficient income due to COVID-19 Pandemic related changes to your employment, you will need to apply for JobSeeker. At this stage, we do not know if there will be another form of Pandemic related income support available for those whose employment and income are impacted by public health orders. To find out more about the JobSeeker payment and how to apply, click here.
