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Support for workers affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)

Find financial assistance and jobseeker support if you've been stood down, had your hours reduced, or closed your business due to coronavirus (COVID-19).

Finding a job

Jobs Finder Queensland

Queenslanders impacted by COVID-19 and looking for work can register to be matched with job opportunities by local recruitment agencies.

Register your details now with Jobs Finder Queensland.

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 National Harvest Labour Information Service on 1800 062 332.

Read about:

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.

Worker support package

Workers who lose their job or income as a result of the impacts of COVID-19 may be assisted with retraining, job-matching and other help to transition into jobs in key industries.

Find out more about Queensland's economic recovery plan.

Read about help that is available for workers who have recently lost their job.

Worker Transition Scheme and rapid response

Learn more about the Worker Transition Scheme and rapid response, providing information and support services to workers' who may find themselves without work as a result of business closures or redundancy programs.

Changes to temporary work visa arrangements

The Australian Government has made a number of changes to temporary visa holder arrangements, enabling visa holders to remain in key businesses and industries including:

Financial assistance

JobKeeper payment

Your employer may be eligible to access a subsidy to continue paying you and retain you as an employee.

Announced in September, the JobKeeper payment has been extended for eligible businesses until 28 March 2021.

Find out about eligibility for JobKeeper payments.

Hardship payment for casual workers and eligible employees

The Queensland Government provides one-off $1,500 payments to eligible Queensland workers who face financial hardship through enforced quarantine, and have contracted COVID-19 outside of their workplace.

The hardship payment is available for eligible casual employees of businesses trading in Queensland, as well as eligible full-time or part-time employees who have exhausted their sick leave entitlements.

Read about the hardship payment.

Supporting apprentices and trainees

If you are an apprentice or trainee, your employer may be eligible for a 50% subsidy for your wages paid until 31 March 2021. This may assist your employer retain you as an apprentice or trainee.

Find out about the supporting apprentices and trainees wage subsidy.

Employers who commence an apprentice or trainee, on or after 5 October 2020. may be eligible for a subsidy of 50% of wages paid to the apprentice or trainee between 5 October 2020 and 30 September 2021.

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 a coronavirus supplement for existing and new recipients of various Centrelink payments
  • early release of up to $10,000 of your superannuation.

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 were required to work from home during the 2019–20 income year, the Australian Taxation Office has provided various methods to calculate the expenses you can claim as a deduction at tax time.

Read more about claiming a deduction for working from home during COVID-19.

Reducing your expenses

If your financial situation has changed due to coronavirus, 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—From 30 September 2020, the Queensland Government is transitioning back towards normal residential tenancy arrangements. Read what measures and protections will remain in place.
  • Call your bank—If you need flexibility with finance, loans and debt, talk to your bank sooner rather than later.
  • Utility assistance—The Queensland Government is providing assistance to households through an automatic $200 rebate to assist with electricity and water bills in 2020. The Australian Energy Regulator has also extended protections for households until 31 October 2020.
  • 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.

Job searching and career guidance

In addition to job seeking websites, there are a number of support services available to help you gain employment.

Apprentice and trainee re-engagement register
Apprentices and trainees who were in a training contract with a small business at 1 March 2020, or a medium business as at 1 July 2020, and have since lost their job may add their details to the register or connect with employers who have posted apprenticeship and traineeship vacancies.

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 and JobSearch
Jobactive providers can help with preparing your resume and assisting you to become employment ready. Subsidies and incentives can also apply.

JobSearch can also help you look for your next job.

Labour hire
Labour hire companies provide temporary staff to employers across a range of industries.

What's Next
If you are facing retrenchment and wondering what's next, find support for retrenched workers, advice on entitlements and help with your pathway to a new career.

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.

Checking your rights and entitlements

Find out about:

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
  • working arrangements impacted by school closures
  • pay and sick leave entitlement, including unpaid pandemic leave (awards have an end date for unpaid pandemic 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:

Domestic and family violence support

If you are experiencing domestic and family violence, find out about available information, services and support on the:

News and updates

Subscribe to the Support for Business and Workers e-newsletter for fortnightly updates on the latest COVID-19 assistance from the Queensland and Australian governments.

Last updated:
20 October 2020
Last reviewed:
24 September 2020
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