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Support for workers affected by coronavirus (COVID-19)

Whether you have been stood down, have had your hours reduced or have closed the door on your business, find financial assistance and support to help during this uncertain time.

Assistance to find a job

Jobs Finder Queensland - support for jobseekers

Queenslanders impacted by coronavirus (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.

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 will be assisted with retraining, job-matching and other help to transition into jobs in key industries.

Find out more about the worker support package.

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:

Quarantine requirements for workers from outside Queensland

Seasonal work in Queensland

If you are arriving in Queensland from overseas  (for example, to start agribusiness or commercial fisheries seasonal work), you must self-quarantine in a nominated place (hotel) for 14 days before commencing work.

Before entering Queensland, check if you have been in a declared COVID-19 hotspot at any time within the past 14 days. If you have, you must self-quarantine at your own expense for 14 days before commencing work.

If you are a working holiday visa holder or an Australian going to a job in rural or regional Queensland, you must self-isolate before transiting to those areas.

Self-quarantine means you must stay in your hotel room or provided accommodation and not go to public places or accept visitors even if you do not feel sick.

Read more about being employed as a seasonal worker in agribusiness and commercial fisheries, summary of the requirements for border entry requirements and entry passes and the requirements for employing local seasonal agricultural workers.

Financial assistance for individuals

JobKeeper payment

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

The JobKeeper payment will provide $1,500 per fortnight per employee for up to 6 months.

Find out about eligibility for JobKeeper payments.

If you have recently lost your job as a result of COVID-19, talk to your employer to see if the subsidy would allow you to be re-engaged until business restrictions are lifted.

Hardship payment for casual workers and eligible employees

From 5 June 2020, the Queensland Government will provide $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 employees who have exhausted their sick leave entitlements.

Find out about the hardship payment.

Supporting apprentices and trainees wage subsidy

If you are an apprentice/trainee, your employer may be eligible to receive a 50% subsidy for wages paid to you between January and March 2020. This may assist your employer is retaining you as an apprentice/trainee.

Find out about the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy.

Support for individuals and households

You may be eligible for financial assistance from the Australian Government. This assistance includes:

  • Income support payments and a new, time-limited coronavirus supplement of $550 per fortnight or existing and new recipients of the JobSeeker Payment, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, Farm Household Allowance and Special Benefit.
  • Up to 2 separate $750 payments if you receive social security, veteran and other income support, or hold an eligible concession card.
  • Early release of up to $10,000 of your superannuation in 2019–20, and a further $10,000 in 2020–21.

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.

Seek help to reduce your expenses

While you search for your next employment opportunity, it makes sense to reduce your expenses wherever possible. Many utility companies and banks are offering relief during this unprecedented time. It is worth approaching your providers to seek help — they may grant an extension or allow you to pay in instalments.

  • Rental evictions on hold—State and territory governments will be moving to put a temporary ban on evictions for 6 months for commercial and residential tenancies affected by financial impacts of COVID-19. For information and support affecting renting in Queensland, visit The Hub.
  • Relief for residential tenants—If you are homeless, or at imminent risk of becoming homeless, you may be eligible for crisis payments of up to $500 a week for up to 4 weeks ($2,000 maximum).
  • 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 a $200 utility payment to assist with electricity and water bills this year, provided through your household electricity bill.
  • 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.

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.

Find out about the home office expenses you may be able to claim if you're working from home.

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.

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 weekly updates on the latest COVID-19 assistance from the Queensland and Australian governments.

Last updated:
23 June 2020
Last reviewed:
5 June 2020