Victoria will be receiving economic support as it undergoes a five-day lockdown, with the Australian Government announcing proposed changes to the delivery of such support throughout the country.

Under the new changes, lockdowns that will be imposed for a period of fewer than seven days will be provided income support through the COVID-19 Disaster Payment as follows: 

1. A Commonwealth Hotspot has been declared by the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer. 
2. The Australian Government will provide income support for those who work or live in the areas declared as Commonwealth Hotspot. The provision of income support outside of these areas will be provided where requested and at the cost of the State or Territory Government. 
3. Individuals will be eligible for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment if they have lost between 8 and less than 20 hours of work for a payment of $375, and for 20 or more hours of work for a payment of $600, during the period of the lockdown. There will be no liquid assets test applied to eligibility for these payments. 
4. A commitment has been made by the State or Territory Government to provide significant economic support for the same lockdown period.

The Prime Minister and Premier of Victoria, supported by their Treasurers, agreed to the new arrangements yesterday evening.  

These arrangements will be delivered to individuals and businesses, in partnership with States and Territories, in areas that are subject to a Commonwealth Hotspot declaration and to State or Territory lockdown restrictions. 

The outcome of this arrangement will have huge implications for the statewide lockdown, which was announced effective at 11.59 pm last night and will last until 11.59 pm on 20 July 2021. 

Eligibility for the COVID-19 Disaster Payment will be made available for the period of the Victoria lockdown. This eligibility will apply to each area of the State. 

Payments will be made in arrears on application to Services Australia 7 days after the commencement of the lockdown. 

The Victorian Government has also agreed to provide significant additional economic support to businesses, satisfying the Australian Government’s cost-sharing requirements for this arrangement. 

Should the Victoria lockdown be extended, the additional features of the upgraded and revised economic support arrangements proposed by the Australian Government will be activated by agreement. 

This additional support adds to the $45.4 billion of support that has already been delivered to Victoria. 

Eliza Sayon

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Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.

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