Further to the information provided by Steven Marshall and Rob Lucas on behalf of the South Australian Government in response to the lockdown which has been expanded state-wide, please see information below regarding the support available:

  1. Individual income support – Individuals within the Commonwealth defined COVID Hotspot (metropolitan Adelaide, Gawler and Adelaide Hills):

Eligible employees who are unable to work due to the state-wide lockdown can apply for Federal Government assistance for the first 7 days of the SA state lockdown. Government payments will be structured as follows:

  • $375 per week for workers who have lost between 8 and 20 hours work, or lost a full day or work; or
  • $600 per week for workers who have lost greater than 20 hours work

Eligible employees can apply for income support from day 7 via Services Australia. While the application is not yet available for South Australians, the State Government has confirmed payments will be managed by the Federal Government. Further details will be available, which will be communicated in due course.

  1. Individual income support – Individuals outside the Commonwealth defined COVID Hotspot (metropolitan Adelaide, Gawler and Adelaide Hills):

Eligible employees who are unable to work due to the state-wide lockdown are also able to apply for state government assistance (via the Federal Government mechanism) for the first 7 days of the SA state lockdown. Payments of up to $600 per week will be paid to eligible employees (eligibility rules yet to be announced).

Employees are able to apply for income support from day 7 via Services Australia. While the application is not yet available for South Australians, the State Government has confirmed payments will be managed by the Federal Government. Further details will be available, which will be communicated in due course.

It is understood that individuals must meet the following eligibility criteria to qualify for support described in points 1 and 2:

  • you’re an Australian resident or hold a visa that gives you the right to work in Australia
  • you’re 17 years or older
  • you’re not getting an income support payment, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Dad and Partner Pay or Parental Leave Pay
  • you’re not getting the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, a state or territory pandemic payment or a state small business payment for the same period
  • you’ve lost income and don’t have any appropriate paid leave entitlements (Long Service Leave and Annual Leave not included)
  • the liquid assets rule for your event.

In order to prepare for the application, you may wish to ensure you have a myGov account which is linked to Centrelink.

The South Australian Government expects micro businesses (turnover less than $75,000) will also be eligible the Individual income support, however the Federal Government is yet to confirm this.

As per the following on Rob Lucas’ website:

“The Government has been advised, and is seeking to confirm with the Commonwealth Government, that the vast majority of microbusinesses not registered for GST will be eligible for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment of $600/$375 per seven-day period.”

If you have any queries in relation to this or would like any assistance completing the application when it becomes available, please do not hesitate to contact our office.

 

Article last updated 22 July 202