Australian Government payments and support
For information about government payments such as JobSeeker, the Coronavirus Supplement, JobKeeper, and the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, visit Services Australia's payments and services during coronavirus.
Private rental support – Rent Choice
Rent Choice is a private rental subsidy that helps eligible clients with rental payments for up to 3 years.
Rent Choice products include:
Tenancy Assistance – help with rent and water arrears for eligible private tenants.
Rent Choice Start Safely – for people escaping domestic and family violence.
Rent Choice Youth – helps people aged 16 to 24 who are homeless, or are at risk of homelessness.
Rent Choice Veterans – for former members of the Australian Defence Force.
Rent Choice Assist – supports households that have experienced a major financial setback.
Private Rental Subsidy – help with medium-term accommodation, before social housing becomes available.
Support for international students
The NSW Government is providing a $20 million package for international students who are stranded in Australia due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The package will include:
- increased support via the International Legal Service NSW, making available 50,000 free subscriptions to the multilingual My Legal Mate student app
- a dedicated 24/7 international student support hotline offering free advice and information, and medical, mental health, legal and emergency support.
Note: Applications for the Temporary Crisis Accommodation Scheme closed 5pm, 12 February 2021.
To find out about other support services available to international students in NSW visit the Study NSW website.
The latest federal government's COVID-19 announcements, news, updates and advice, is available at COVID-19 International Student Support and Welfare.
Retirees
Superannuation minimum drawdown requirements
For retirees drawing a pension from their super accounts, the Government is temporarily reducing the minimum drawdown requirements by 50% for the 2019–20 and 2020–21 income years.
Deeming rates for pensioners
As of 1 May 2020, the upper deeming rate will be 2.25% and the lower deeming rate will be 0.25%.
Local council rates and fees
Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA)
Road tolls
Related links
For up to date information on the Government's economic initiatives visit Treasury's Economic Response to the Coronavirus.