Australia
Government paid $550 supplement per fortnight to existing and new recipients in the eligible payment categories.
People will not be permitted, and will need to declare that they are not, accessing employer entitlements (e.g. annual leave and / or sick leave) or income protection insurance.
Reduced means testing:
Asset testing for JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance JobSeeker & Parenting Payment will be waived for the period of the Coronavirus supplement. Income testing will still apply to other payments.
Reduced waiting times:
the one-week ordinary waiting period has been waived. The Newly Arrived Residents Waiting Period will be temporarily waived for eligible recipients. Residency requirements still apply.
The income support payment categories eligible to receive the Coronavirus supplement are existing and new recipients of:
For the period of the Coronavirus supplement, there will be expanded access to these income support payments:
Jobseeker Payment & Youth Allowance Jobseeker criteria will provide payment access for permanent Team Members who have lost their employment, casual team members and contract workers whose income has been reduced as a result of Coronavirus. This could also include a person required to care for someone who is affected by the Coronavirus
Note, depending on the payment you’re claiming, your parent’s or partner’s income may affect your eligibility to claim a payment.
Payments will be made from 27 April 2020.
Paid for up to the next 6 months
Visit https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/
You can either submit a full claim for a payment or register your intention to claim a payment through your myGov account at a time and place that works for you. Services Australia will backdate your payment.
You don’t need to call or visit a service centre to register your intention to claim. Services Australia will get in contact with you to let you know the next steps.
For more information visit
Australia Government Treasury website
Financial support for eligible applicants who are looking for work or are sick or injured and cannot do their usual work or study.
The Job Seeker Payment amount depends on your situation. This includes your personal situation, such as if you have children or a partner and how much income you’ve earned in the past 14 days. For maximum fortnightly payment amounts, see below.
Eligible recipients must:
Applicants also need to meet rules for either of these situations:
Payments are made fortnightly.
Current maximum fortnightly payment rates are as below:
Visit Service Australia website for more information
Businesses such as TFE Hotels who have been impacted by the Coronavirus may be eligible to access a wage subsidy from the Government to continue paying their Team Members.
Eligible Team Members affected by the Coronavirus may be able to access fortnightly payments of $1,500 (before tax) from 30 March 2020 for a maximum of 6 months.
This payment will be offset by any earnings (including annual leave taken).
Eligible team members are:
team members who on 1 March 2020 were:
And team members must either be an Australian Citizen or the holder of:
Team members employed after 1 March 2020 are not eligible.
Payments will be made from 1 May 2020, paid for up to the next 6 months.
For more information, please refer to the TFE Hotels Job Keeper Payment FAQs (ask your Manager for a copy).
Early access of up to $10,000 of superannuation before 1 July 2020.
Further access to another $10,000 after 1 July 2020 for 3 months.
Talk to your super fund regarding the potential advantages of early withdrawal in combination with voluntary superannuation contribution.
Team Members experiencing financial stress due to COVID-19.
Centrelink or Veteran Support payments will not be affected by this.
First Applications before 1 July 2020
Second applications after 1 July 2020
Login to MyGov
Some banks may offer assistance to customers on their home loans through reducing or deferring your repayments, restructuring your loan/s, waiving fees, and offering credit options for eligible customers.
Note, where repayments are deferred please consider if interest is capitalised (i.e. interest and fees may be added to your loan balance with either the term of the loan extended, or payments increased after the deferral period).
Team Members experiencing financial stress due to COVID-19.
Consult with your bank or home loan provider.
Complete the Mortgage Relief Letter.
Mortgage Relief Letter (provided separately)
Consult your bank or home loan provider’s website or contact them directly.
ANZ
Bankwest
Bendigo Bank
Commonwealth Bank
Macquarie Bank
NAB
St George
Suncorp
Westpac
If you are having difficulty meeting your rental payments, you should speak with your landlord or agent.
You may wish to discuss an alternative arrangement such as a pause or reduction on payments and negotiating a repayment plan.
If you are under a fixed term agreement and you believe that you would suffer undue hardship if your tenancy continues, then you can apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal to end the tenancy on hardship grounds.
The Federal Government has suggested there will be rental subsidies for those who are impacted COVID-19 however this has not yet been formalised or announced.
Team Members experiencing financial stress due to COVID-19.
Consult with your landlord or agent.
Recommendation for Team Members to submit a letter requesting rental assistance.
To be confirmed
Rent Relief Letter (provided separately)
Many Australian Insurers have financial hardship options, including freezing premiums, suspending coverage and / or reducing costs.
Visit
https://www.finder.com.au/coronavirus-financial-help - go to the ‘Insurers’ section
Consult your Insurance Provider’s website or contact them directly
Some Energy providers and Broadband/Mobile providers also offer support for customers impacted by COVID19 through tailoring payment plans, providing advice on grant programs that customers may be eligible for and advice on energy or broadband/mobile usage.
Consult your Energy and Broadband/Mobile provider’s website or contact them directly.
Visit https://www.finder.com.au/financial-hardship-programs-utilities for more info.
The Government is providing two separate $750 payments to social security, veteran and other income support recipients and eligible concession card holders.
The first payment is available to people who are eligible payment recipients and concession card holders at any time from 12 March 2020 to 13 April 2020.
The second payment is available to people who are eligible payment recipients and concession card holders on 10 July 2020
A person can be eligible to receive both the first and second support payment. However, they can only receive one 750 payment in each round of payments. However, they can only receive one $750 payment in each round of payments.
First payment – paid automatically from 31 March 2020
Second payment – paid automatically from 13 July 2020
Paid directly into Centrelink account via myGov
For more information visit Payment to Support Households Fact Sheet
A payment can be claimed if you are isolated at home and cannot work as the result of COVID-19 and have no paid leave entitlements.
Team Members who are in severe financial hardship and already receive a JobSeeker Payment or Youth Allowance JobSeeke
Visit Service Australia's Website for more information.
Free financial advice to Hostplus members via phone and online via Super Adviser
Hostplus Members
Login to your Hostplus Member Account online
Various online providers of financial counselling, support and education.
Australian Banking Association
Free Independent Financial Counselling.
Any team member who would like assistance in managing debt.
Call 1800 007 007 (Australia) , or visit https://ndh.org.au/
Access EAP is available to Team Members free of charge for 6 months from their last day of employment.
Available via phone, online support and video conference
Visit https://www.accesseap.com.au/
Call 1800 81 87 28 (Australia)
Email info@accesseap.com.au
A range of charities provide economic, food and financial support.
Economic and support services are available from: Red Cross, Salvation Army and St Vincent de Paul
Payment of up to $1,100 for vulnerable international students who have lost their job or had a significant reduction to their employment and are facing financial hardship as a result of coronavirus (COVID-19).
International students from Victoria’s tertiary education providers including universities, TAFEs, private Vocational Education and Training providers and English language colleges are eligible to apply for the hardship payment.
Study Melbourne are working on opening applications as soon as possible.
Complete the Study Melbourne Online Form to register your interest
Provision of food and non-perishable items.
Support is available for vulnerable people in the community, casual workers, international students, isolated individuals and Carers among others.
Individuals/households can register their interest to receive assistance via https://canberrarelief.com.au/
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