COVID-19 QLD: Individuals – Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment

This program aims to provide support for those who live in Queensland and can't earn an income because they must self-isolate or quarantine at home, or are caring for someone with COVID-19.

It replaces the Queensland Hardship Payment in circumstances where a health official has given directions to individuals to self-isolate or quarantine for any of the following reasons:
- They have coronavirus (COVID-19).
- They have been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19.
- They care for a child, 16 years or under, who has COVID-19.
- They care for a child, 16 years or under, who’s been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19.

One lump sum payment of $1,500 is payable per person for each 14-day period of directed quarantine or self-isolation or caring. The 14-day period or part thereof must fall on or after 7 October 2020.

A separate application must be made for each 14-day period being claimed. Each applicant must apply separately.

This payment is exempt from all Australian Government means testing.

Eligible applicants must:
- Be aged 17 years and over.
- Be an Australian resident or the holder of an eligible visa.
- Live in Queensland.
- Be informed to self-isolate or quarantine, or are caring for someone who has tested positive with COVID-19.
- Be likely to have worked during the period of self-isolation, quarantine or caring for someone who has tested positive with COVID-19.
- Not be able to work and are not receiving any income, earnings or salary from employment.
- Have no appropriate leave entitlement left (including any special pandemic leave) or their employer is not able to pay their leave entitlements due to their financial hardship. Appropriate leave includes:
a) Sick leave
b) Leave for the purposes of caring for another person (personal leave or carer’s leave)
c) Pandemic leave
- Have not received the Queensland Hardship Payment for the same 14-day period.
- Not be receiving the JobKeeper Payment or an Australian Government income support payment, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Paid Parental Leave or Dad and Partner Pay.