With the latest COVID-19 health advice to stay home, we strongly advise you to use our website or call 13 77 88, rather than visit a service centre. Visit our COVID-19 page for information and advice on the assistance available for NSW residents and businesses.

Stay home: use online transactions or call 13 77 88. 
COVID-19 assistance

Financial support for individuals and households

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Australian Government payments and support

Payments are available for people unable to work due to COVID-19 restrictions, including:

To find out about these and other payments, visit Services Australia's payments and services during coronavirus.

Residential tenant protection

Eligible COVID-impacted residential tenants who cannot meet their rent payments will be protected from eviction during the moratorium period in place until 11 September 2021.

Find out about the residential tenancy support package.

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 supporting international students in NSW during the COVID-19 pandemic with: 

To find out about other support services available to international students in NSW visit the Study NSW COVID-19 Help Hub.

The latest federal government's COVID-19 announcements, news, updates and advice are available at COVID-19 International Student Support and Welfare.

Note: Applications for the Temporary Crisis Accommodation Scheme closed 5pm, 12 February 2021.

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%.

Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA)

If you're having difficulty paying your household energy bill because of a short-term financial crisis or emergency, such as reduced income due to COVID-19, you could be eligible for Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) $50 vouchers. See Apply for Energy Accounts Payment Assistance (EAPA) vouchers for more information. 

Road tolls

Sydney Harbour Bridge and Tunnel toll notices

Customers experiencing financial hardship due to COVID-19 can contact the toll recovery team to discuss options including:

  • temporary suspension of payment
  • scheduling of a payment plan to repay toll notices.

Call (02) 9354 5144 or email toll.recovery@transport.nsw.gov.au.

E-Toll customers

Transport for NSW E-Toll can support those having trouble with their E-Toll account due to COVID-19.

Call 13 77 88 or email e-toll@service.nsw.gov.au 

Linkt customers

Linkt have a range of support services available to help customers including:

  • more time to pay
  • fee waivers
  • payment plans.

Related links

For up to date information on the Government's economic initiatives visit Treasury's Economic Response to the Coronavirus.