Have your work hours or income been affected by this week’s lockdown? The Morrison Government has made sure financial support is available. The Federal Government’s COVID-19 Disaster Payments will be available and at the new rate.

Payment Rates

• $750 a week for those who have lost more than 20 hours work

• $450 a week for those who have lost 8-20 hours of work

• $200 a week top up payment for those on income support who have lost more than 8 hours work.

This applies from day 1 of the lockdown and applications can be made from this Saturday, 7 August at my.gov.au

Who can get it?

You must meet all eligibility rules to get the COVID-19 Disaster Payment – Queensland. You can get it even if you were eligible on only one day during the payment period. If you’re a member of a couple, you can both claim this payment. You and your partner will need to make separate claims.

To get the payment, you need to meet all eligibility rules that apply. This includes all of these rules:

• you’re an Australian resident or hold a visa that gives you the right to work in Australia
• you’re 17 years or older
• you didn’t get an income support payment, Education Allowance or ABSTUDY Living Allowance during the payment period.
•  you didn’t get the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, a state or territory pandemic payment or a state small business payment for the same period
• you lost income and didn’t have any appropriate paid leave entitlements
• you lived in, worked from or visited a Commonwealth-declared COVID-19 hotspot that is subject to a state restricted movement order
• you have been unable to earn your usual income of 8 hours or more, or a full day’s work because you were in the COVID-19 hotspot and were subject to restricted movement

More resources

https://youtu.be/nwv3WhJfyg0

https://www.servicesaustralia.gov.au/individuals/services/centrelink/covid-19-disaster-payment-queensland

It’s Census time!

This year you can complete your Census as soon as you receive your instructions, if you know who will be home on Census night. This is different to past years when you had to fill in your form on Census night.
You can fill in your form online, on paper or with help.

Key Dates

10 August 2021 – Census night
After Census night – Households who have not responded will receive reminder letters and visits from Census staff
Late August 2021 – Field staff start visiting households that have not responded
June 2022 onwards – Release of 2021 Census data starts.

Why a Census?

Census data helps inform decisions that impact you and your community, from schools, healthcare, transport and infrastructure to local services. You can start your Census as soon as you receive your instructions if you know where you’ll be on Census night Tuesday 10 August. There are different ways to complete your Census. You can do it online, by paper or with help from Census staff.

Remember to include everyone in your home

Having the right numbers means the right services can be provided in communities. When you complete your Census remember to include everyone staying in your home on Census night, Tuesday 10 August.

Privacy

The personal information you provide on your Census form is safe. It isn’t shared with anyone, including other government agencies.

Visit www.census.abs.gov.au for more information.

More Resources

What is the Census
Why you need to do the Census
Who needs to participate
Ways to complete your Census
Get help starting your Census
Census stories