COVID-19 Assistance Finder
Complete a 2-minute questionnaire and get a list of benefits and services in health and wellbeing, employment, skills and training, food, housing and finances, tailored specifically for you or your business.
Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment
The Australian Government's Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is a lump sum payment to help you during the time you can’t work and earn income because you have to:
- self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19
- you’re caring for someone who has to self-isolate or quarantine due to COVID-19.
From Monday 10 January 2022, the Australian Government will accept applications for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment based on a postive result for either a rapid antigen test or a PCR test.
You will need to show:
- advice of a positive test from a testing clinic or health professional
- evidence you’ve registered a positive rapid antigen test result.
For eligibility criteria and to apply, visit Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment.
To find out about these and other payments, 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.
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, 2020-21 and 2021–22 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%.