Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Tuesday that workers in regional NSW who had lost hours due to the latest COVID-19 outbreak in Sydney will be eligible for disaster payments from next week.
The COVID-19 Disaster Payment scheme, previously limited to Sydney, the Central Coast, Illawarra and the Blue Mountains, is designed to get money into workers' hands as simply and quickly as possible.
The NSW government is paying for the scheme to be extended to regional NSW, including Newcastle, Lake Macquarie and the rest of the Hunter.
Regional NSW is not in lockdown, but travel restrictions and tighter social distancing rules are affecting businesses and employees beyond Greater Sydney.
Here's how the scheme will work.
How can I apply?
Applications from regional NSW residents, including those in Newcastle and the Hunter, will open from Monday, July 19, on the Services Australia website.
How much do I get?
If you have lost more than 20 hours' work a week, you receive $600 a week. If you have lost between eight and 20 hours' work, you receive $375. The payments cover work hours lost beyond July 19. They are not backdated to when Sydney's lockdown began.
Do I need to reapply every week?
No, but you must notify Services Australia when your work picks back up. The payments are expected to last as long as the Greater Sydney lockdown is in place.
Who is eligible?
You must be aged 17 or over and be either an Australian resident or holding a valid work visa. You must be able to show how much work you have lost. There are few other eligibility requirements.
