COVID-19 SA: Individuals – Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment

This program aims to support eligible people who have been instructed to self-isolate or quarantine at home due to a public health direction or a positive COVID-19 test.

The program provides a lump sum payment of $1,500 for each 14-day period the applicants have been told to self-isolate or quarantine, or are caring for someone who has COVID-19.

The easiest way to claim is over the phone. The payment is a taxable income and recipients need to include it in their 2020-21 Income Tax Return.

Eligible applicants include people living in South Australia who has been told to self-isolate or quarantine by health officials for any of the following reasons:
- Have coronavirus (COVID-19).
- Have been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19.
- Are caring for a child, 16 years or under, who has COVID-19.
- Are caring for a child, 16 years or under, who’s been in close contact with a person who has COVID-19.

Applicants must:
- Be at least 17 years old and live in South Australia.
- Be an Australian resident or hold a visa that gives them the right to work in Australia.
- Be unable to go to work and earn an income.
- Have no appropriate leave entitlements, including pandemic sick leave, personal leave or leave to care for another person.
- Have a period of quarantine after 10 September 2020.

If the applicant is a member of a couple, both can claim this payment and will need to complete separate claims.

Applicants will not be eligible if, during their 14 day isolation period, they get:
- Any income, earnings or salary from paid work.
- Any income support payments, ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Paid Parental Leave or Dad and Partner Pay.
- JobKeeper Payment.
- A payment under the South Australian Paid Pandemic Leave Scheme.