Payments are available for eligible people affected by the current COVID-19 outbreak in South Australia, including:
- Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
- COVID-19 Disaster Payment
- SA COVID-19 Cluster Isolation Payment
You will only be able to receive one payment at any time.
Please review the eligibility criteria for each payment carefully to find which payment applies to your situation.
Pandemic leave disaster payment
A lump sum Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment to help workers unable to earn income due to a COVID-19 lockdown, hotspot or period of restricted movement, who do not have access to leave entitlements or other support payments. Payment is $1,500 for each 14-day period a person is required to quarantine.
You must be directed to self-isolate or quarantine by a health official. They need to give you these directions for any of the following reasons:
- you have Coronavirus (COVID-19)
- you’ve been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19
- you care for a child, 16 years or under, who has COVID-19
- you care for a child, 16 years or under, who’s been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19.
You must also meet all of the following:
- you're unable to go to work and earn an income
- you’re at least 17 years old and live in South Australia
- you’re an Australian residentor hold a visa that gives you the right to work in Australia
- you have no appropriate leave entitlements, including pandemic sick leave, personal leave or leave to care for another person
- your period of quarantine is after 10 September 2020.
For more information on how to apply, visit the Services Australia website.
COVID-19 disaster payment
Claims for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment for South Australians will open on 28 July 2021.
Please note that applications will close on 16 August 2021 for the lockdown period 20 July 2021 to 26 July 2021.
- $375 for people who have lost between 8 and 20 hours per week, or a full day or usual work (which may be less than 8 hours)
- $600 for people who have lost 20+ hours per week.
You are eligible for the payment if you meet all of the following:
- 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're an Australian residentor 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’ve lost income and don’t have any appropriate paid leave entitlements
- the liquid assets rule for your event.
For more information on how to apply, visit the Services Australia website.
South Australian government support
SA COVID-19 cluster isolation payment
The SA COVID-19 Cluster Isolation Payment is a single payment of $300 available for eligible people who are part of a designated COVID-19 cluster and need to self-isolate while awaiting a COVID-19 test result.
To be eligible, you (or someone you care for) must meet all the following criteria. You must:
- have visited one of the declared exposure sites, between the indicated time periods, of the COVID-19 SA cluster from 17 July onwards – please see the SA Health website for a list of all exposure sites
- have undertaken a COVID-19 test
- have been required to self-isolate pending the test result
- have been scheduled to work during the period of self-isolation
- have no access to paid leave or other income support
- be an Australian citizen or permanent resident, or a holder of necessary visa and work permits (temporary visa holders and international students)
- be aged 17 years or over.
To check your eligibility and to apply, complete the Online application form.
If you need assistance, call 8226 2500.