Financial support

The majority of Federal and State financial initiatives to support healthcare workers who contract COVID-19 at work or to prop up the sector, such as JobKeeper, the COVID-19 Disaster Payment, and hotel isolation payments, have run their course and have not been renewed or reviewed despite rising community transmissions. VAHPA calls on our State and Federal government to provide appropriate support to all workers impacted by COVID-19, and put health outcomes before profit or political motives.

Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment

Until 30 June 2022, a Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is available through the Federal Government of $450 if you lost between 8-20 hours of work, or $750 if you lost 20 or more hours of work.

To be eligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, you have to meet the following conditions:

• You have to self-isolate/quarantine due to COVID-19 OR are caring for someone who has to self-isolate/quarantine due to COVID-19
• You’ve lost at least 8 hours or a full day of work
• You have less than $10,000 in liquid assets on the day you apply for the payment
• You will not be paid any income, earning or salary from your work during your quarantine period
• You will not receive any other income support payments during your quarantine period

As of 22 April 2022, Victorian household close contacts and social contacts are no longer required to self-quarantine, and are no longer eligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment. See Contact and Isolation Requirements for more information.

You must submit your claim for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment within 14 days of the start of your isolation or caring period.

You can access the Services Australia page about the payment, including instructions on how to submit your claim, here.

Workers Compensation

Employees who contract COVID-19 at work are able to apply for workers compensation. The ACTU have provided general guidance about workers compensation for employees who contract COVID-19 at work. VAHPA encourages all members who have been impacted by COVID-19 to apply for Workcover. If you are an employee generally working in a high-risk environment likely to come into contact with COVID-19, there is an onus on insurers to support your workers compensation claim.

Information about making a claim can be accessed via the WorkSafe Victoria website.