
About 200 ACT Rural Fire Service and State Emergency Service volunteers would be able to claim compensation for lost income, according to Minister for Police and Emergency Services Mick Gentleman.
The applicants would be able to access tax-free payments of $300 per day - to a maximum of $6000, as part of the federal government's financial support program, which was announced in December.
It was initially made available to NSW RFS volunteers, with other states invited to apply. In January, Chief Minister Andrew Barr and Mr Gentleman wrote to the Prime Minister to request the assistance.
"Our volunteers work tirelessly and professionally to help the Canberra community and ask for nothing in return," Mr Gentleman said. "These support payments will help ensure volunteers who are self-employed or working for small businesses are not left significantly out-of-pocket."
Volunteers eligible for payment would be notified about how to make an application. Payments will cover the period from July 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020.