Further change to pandemic leave payment.

Yesterday we issued a blog on the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment and late yesterday afternoon following a National Cabinet meeting, the PM announced changes to current COVID-19 settings, which affect the disaster payment.

As well as changes to mask mandates on domestic flights, the National Cabinet has agreed to reduce the isolation period for positive COVID-19 cases from seven to five days following a positive test result.  These changes will come into effect from Friday 9 September, with the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment (“PLDP”) eligibility to reflect the changed isolation periods, effective from the same date.

Prior to the cabinet meeting yesterday afternoon, the PLDP was $750 for each 7 day period of self-isolation, quarantine or caring, if 20 hours or more of work was lost.  With the shorter isolation periods coming into effect next Friday, that will likely reduce to $540, however, the government is still considering what the payment amount will be reduced to.

The PM and state and territory leaders will meet again in a fortnight to discuss the possible reduction of the payment amount and the possibility of extending the payments beyond 30 September.

We will, of course, keep you updated on any further changes to the disaster payment as we receive them.

If you require any further information on the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment and how to access it, please get in touch with our office.