Support for workers affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)
Find financial assistance and jobseeker support if you've been stood down, had your hours reduced, lost your job or been made redundant; or have had to close your business due to coronavirus (COVID-19).
Finding a job
Job boards and registers
JobSearch
Search jobs, including PaTH internships, harvest and indigenous jobs.
Labour hire
Labour hire companies provide temporary staff to employers across a range of industries.
Jobs Hub
Explore job boards, jobs in demand by location and what employers are currently hiring.
Work in Queensland's regional tourism industry
The Work in Paradise campaign provides incentives of up to $1,500 to jobseekers willing to relocate to regional Queensland to fill tourism jobs.
Register now to receive further updates on available jobs.
Seasonal job opportunities in Queensland
Queensland has a diverse range of seasonal jobs available throughout the year.
Explore the regions to find what job opportunities are available. You can register your availability at Harvest Trail or phone the Harvest Trail Information Service (HTIS) on 1800 062 332.
Read about:
- more ways to find agricultural work
- how to find and apply for harvest work in Queensland
- your responsibilities when employing workers in agribusiness and fisheries during COVID-19.
Retrenchment and redundancy assistance
Learn more about support services and career assistance available to workers who find themselves retrenched or made redundant:
Changes to temporary work visa arrangements
The Australian Government continues to make changes to travel exemptions and temporary visa holder arrangements, enabling individuals to enter Australia to work in critical sectors and current visa holders to remain in key businesses and industries including:
- agriculture – including the Seasonal worker programme, Pacific labour scheme and Working holiday makers
- aged care
- nursing.
The Priority Migration Skilled Occupation List (PMSOL) identifies occupations which fill critical skills needs to support economic recovery.
Career guidance
In addition to job seeking websites, there are a number of support services available to help you gain employment.
Free online courses and skill sets
Access online skill sets and micro-credentials in a range of study areas, as well as job readiness and COVID Safe training.
Upskill with short-term, fee-free courses for eligible Queenslanders.
Queensland small businesses can also access free online training across a broad range of courses.
Australian Government career support
Centrelink
Registering with Centrelink will allow you to see if there is income support or other assistance to help you get a job.
Disability Employment Service
JobAccess offers specialised support to assist people with disability access assistance to prepare for, find and keep a job.
Jobactive
Jobactive providers can help with preparing your resume and assisting you to become employment ready. Subsidies and incentives can also apply.
Skills Match
COVID-19 is rapidly changing the Australian labour market. Some industries are looking to reduce their workforce, where others are looking for more workers. If you've lost your job or looking to move into a booming industry, Skills Match can help you identify your skills and present you with new job ideas you may be able to transfer these skills into.
My Skills
Access increased online registered training organisations (RTOs) and vocational education and training (VET) options available to help you upskill and improve your qualifications.
Financial assistance
Pandemic leave disaster payment
You may be eligible for a $1,500 pandemic leave disaster payment from the Australian Government if you contract COVID-19, and face financial hardship due to an enforced isolation or quarantine order issued on or after 7 October 2020.
Read more about the pandemic leave disaster payment.
Supporting apprentices and trainees
If you are an apprentice or trainee, your employer may have been eligible for a 50% subsidy for your wages paid up until 31 March 2021. Claims must be lodged by 30 June 2021.
Find out about the supporting apprentices and trainees wage subsidy.
Employers who commence an apprentice or trainee, between 5 October 2020 and 31 March 2022, may be eligible for a subsidy of 50% of wages paid to the apprentice or trainee for a 12-month period from the date of commencement.
Find out more about the boosting apprenticeship commencements wage subsidy.
Support for individuals and households
You may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government, including income support payments and supplements for existing and new recipients of various Centrelink payments.
Find out what support you may be eligible for.
Financial assistance tax obligations
If you have received COVID-19 financial relief, you may need to declare this as part of your earnings for tax purposes.
Read about tax on employment payments.
Work from home tax deductions
If you have been required to work from home during the pandemic, the Australian Taxation Office provides various methods to calculate the expenses you can claim as a deduction at tax time. These methods have been extended into the 2020–21 income year.
Read more about claiming a deduction for working from home during COVID-19.
Reducing your expenses
If your financial situation has changed due to the impacts of COVID-19, it makes sense to reduce your expenses wherever possible. Talk to your utility provider or bank to seek help—they may grant payment extensions or allow you to pay in instalments.
- Residential rent relief and support—Since 30 September 2020, the Queensland Government has been transitioning back towards normal residential tenancy arrangements. Read what measures and protections are no longer in place, and what will remain in place, until 30 September 2021.
- Phone your bank—If you need flexibility with finance, loans and debt, talk to your bank sooner rather than later.
- Utility assistance—The Australian Energy Regulator has reasonable protections in place for households until 30 June 2021.
- If you are struggling or in crisis, get help to sort out your money and understand your options for paying your bills—visit Moneysmart for assistance.
Checking your rights and entitlements
Find out about:
- flexible working arrangements
- leave entitlements
- awards and wages
- workplace conditions, health and safety.
Learn about workplace risk management, including advice on hygiene, self-quarantine, personal protective equipment and telecommuting.
The National Employment Standards set out what redundancy pay may apply on employment termination. If you think you have not received the right amount of redundancy pay or you have been unfairly dismissed, be sure to seek advice.
Fair Work Ombudsman
Find out about your workplace entitlements and obligations if you are affected by COVID-19, including:
- stand downs from work
- alternative working arrangements
- leave entitlements, including paid pandemic leave and unpaid pandemic leave and annual leave (note that some awards have an end date for unpaid pandemic leave and changes to annual leave).
Fair Work Commission
If you lose your job but believe you have been unfairly dismissed by your employer, contact the Fair Work Commission.
Mental health support
Help is available if you're struggling with your mental health during this time, including:
- resources for mental health from the Queensland Mental Health Commission
- mental wellbeing initiatives and support services
- information, strategies and advice to help you manage your wellbeing and mental health.
Domestic and family violence support
If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, find out about available information, services and support on the:
- domestic violence portal
- Queensland Police Service domestic violence reporting tool.
News and updates
Subscribe to the Support for Business and Workers e-newsletter for weekly updates on the latest COVID-19 assistance from the Queensland and Australian governments.