The COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment is available for businesses, including self-employed people, to help pay your workers who cannot work from home while they wait for a COVID-19 test result.
There’s a one-off payment of $350 for each eligible worker while they are staying home waiting for test results. This is regardless of whether they’re working full or part-time. You can only apply for it once, for each eligible worker, in any 30-day period (unless a health official or doctor tells the worker to get another test).
Your worker and your business must be eligible. See the criteria here. You can’t be getting any other leave support or Covid-19 subsidy at the same time.
You need to repay this payment IF:
- you made an incorrect application
- you no longer meet the criteria for the COVID-19 Short-Term Absence Payment as at the time of your application
- you provided false or misleading information in your application.
We have more information on our blog on the other forms of Covid-19 support that is available to businesses. If you would like more information or to discuss which option may be right for you please call our office and speak to one of our team who will be happy to help.
To read more information about the Short-Term Absence Payment visit the Work and Income website.
