The Federal and NSW government have announced several COVID-19 support packages to the prolonged lockdown in greater Sydney.
Based on the media releases by the State & Federal government published effective 14 July 2021, we have summarised the support packages available and the details we know to date.
The details on the latest round of NSW COVID-19 support remain ambiguous, and we have no more information than that in the various media releases.
Action Steps.
1. Register your interest for COVID-19 business support at https://www.service.nsw.gov.au/covid-19-business-support-2021
2. Create a MyServiceNSW Account and business profile as the NSW Government support payments & grants applications are likely to be submitted through MyServiceNSW
3. If you intend to apply for the Federal government Covid-19 Disaster payment, you need a MyGov account linked to a Centrelink online account. If you don’t have a MyGov account, please create one at
Summary
The Federal Government had expanded the support available to individuals when a Commonwealth declared COVID-19 hotspot under the existing COVID-19 Disaster Payment.
From week 4 of the lockdown, the following weekly payments can be claimed by individuals who have lost more than 8 hours or a full day of work in a week:
lost 20 hours or more $600 (previously $500)
lost between 8 and 20 hours $375 (previously $325)
Individuals will need to meet the additional eligibility criteria, which includes:
Australian resident or working visa
17 years or older
Not in receipt of certain support payments
Live in, work from or visited a Commonwealth COVID-19 hotspot
The requirement to have liquid assets of <$10,000 will not apply
Payments will continue whilst the hotspot and lockdown restriction continues without the need to reapply every 7 days.
As of 13 July 2021, the Commonwealth declared COVID-19 hotspot covers Greater Sydney, Blue Mountains, Central Coast and Wollongong.
From 18 July, the expanded COVID-19 Disaster Payment will be available across all NSW for individuals who meet the eligibility criteria.
Applications will continue to be made through Services Australia.
Tenant eviction moratorium
Residential tenants who have lost 25% or more of their income due to COVID-19 and meet other to be specified criteria will have a moratorium on eviction for 60 days.
Further details of how this measure will apply are expected to be released shortly, with NSW legislation to follow.
Mental health support
The Federal and NSW governments will provide an additional $17.35m to support mental health programmes in NSW targeted through existing providers.