Pandemic Leave Disaster Payments rules change
Aspen Corporate • 8 February 2022

The rules for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment changed on 18 January 2022. 

The rules for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, the payment accessible to those who have lost work because they have had to self-isolate with COVID-19, or are caring for someone who contracted it, changed on 18 January 2022.


The new rules change the definition of a close contact in line with the harmonised national definition. The payment is now accessible if you are a close contact because you either usually live with the person who has tested positive with COVID-19, or have stayed in the same household for more than 4 hours with the person who has tested positive with COVID-19 during their infectious period.


The payment provides:

·  $450 if you lost at least 8 hours or a full day’s work, and less than 20 hours of work

·  $750 if you lost 20 hours or more of work.


To claim the payment, you will need to be an Australian citizen, permanent visa holder (or temporary visa holder with a right to work) or a New Zealand passport holder. The payment is also subject to means testing with a $10,000 illiquid assets test.

Imagine this: after years of hardship and illness, you’re forced to retire early on a Total and Perm

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