Government Payments and Support
On this page:
- Coronavirus (COVID-19) worker support payments
- Services Australia - JobSeeker Payment
- Australian Taxation Office (ATO) support for individual taxpayers (JobKeeper payment)
- Help paying for electricity, gas or water
- Payment of Personal Loans, including housing loan repayments
- Financial counselling and debt support
- Phone and internet help and discounts
- Support for businesses
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation and Worker Support Payment
Victorian workers who are waiting for test results or self isolating can apply for financial support from the Victorian Government.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation Payment
- Victorian workers can apply for a $300 Coronavirus (COVID-19) Test Isolation Payment while they self-isolate to wait for the results of a coronavirus (COVID-19) test. For more information visit the DHHS website
Coronavirus (COVID-19) Worker Support Payment
- The Victorian Government is providing a one-off $1500 payment to Victorian workers, including parents and guardians, who are required to self-isolate or quarantine due to coronavirus (COVID-19). For more information visit the DHHS website
Services Australia - JobSeeker Payment
From 25 September 2020 there are changes to the JobSeeker and income support payments that will affect payment amounts. Visit the government's MoneySmart website for information about JobSeeker changes.
The jobseeker line is available Monday to Friday 8 am to 8 pm and Saturday and Sunday 9 am to 5 pm. Call 132 850 or visit Jobseeker Payment website
Useful links
- Information in your language
- Eligibility
- How to claim online
- Services Australia summary of services and payments
- Treasury information about income support
Australian Taxation Office (ATO) support for individual taxpayers
From 28 September 2020 there are changes to the JobKeeper payment that will affect payment amounts. Visit the government's MoneySmart website for information about JobKeeper changes.
Find out what support is available from ATO including JobKeeper payments, early release of superannuation and minimum drawdown rate options.
Useful links
- Support for individuals and employees
- Help in your language
- JobKeeper Payment for employees
- Information on early release of super
- Frequently asked questions
- Additional support during COVID-19
- Tax on employment payments
- Treasury information about JobKeeper
Help paying for electricity, gas or water
Relief grants for paying overdue energy or water bills are available to low-income Victorians experiencing unexpected hardship. You can find out more on the DHHS's utility grant scheme web page.
Payment of Personal Loans, including housing loan repayments
Some banks have introduced major changes to help customers and have eased conditions of repayment of loans to customers in financial hardship, including deferral or restructuring of home loan repayments. Contact your bank as soon as you can. Assistance varies on a case-by-case basis. For list of banks visit Australian Banking Association website.
Financial counselling and debt support
The National debt hotline provides free and confidential advice from professional financial counsellors. The hotline is open between 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, Monday to Friday. Phone: 1800 007 007 or visit the National debt hotline website.
Useful links
Phone and internet help and discounts
NBN Co will soon provide financial relief and help to assist low-income Australians, and medium businesses to maintain access to Internet services. Find out more on the NBN Co website.
The Australian Communications Consumer Action Network (ACCAN) has compilled a table of internet service providers offering educational assitance packages. Find out more on the ACCAN website.
Phone and internet providers may also provide bonus phone data and unlimited calls. Contact your phone or internet provider to ask for help.
Do you need help with unresolved phone and internet complaints? Call the Telecommunications Industry Ombudsman (TIO) on 1800 046 686 or visit their website for assistance.
Support for businesses
Australian Government Treasury website provides a summary of the Australian Government support packages
A Coronavirus Business Liaison Unit has been established within The Treasury to engage with business on a regular basis and provide updates to government on crucial issues.
To contact the Coronavirus Business Liaison Unit,
Phone 13 28 46 or email CoronavirusBusinessLiaison@treasury.gov.au
You can also use their Online Chat tool which is located on the bottom right hand corner across all pages on the Australian Government's Business website.