As with most industries, the disability and aged care sectors are facing unprecedented challenges during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
Commonwealth, state and territory governments have issued a range of measures to support disability and aged care providers and workers through this time.
The primary source of information is the Australian Government’s dedicated website Australia.gov.au.
Information for businesses can be found at Business.gov.au.
Information related to the NDIS
- The NDIS Commission is providing regular updates for NDIS providers, including information on free training, accessing PPE and other information relevant to disability care providers.
- The NDIS Commission website can be found at https://www.ndiscommission.gov.au/resources/coronavirus-covid-19-information
- The NDIS website (with specific information on COVID-19) can be found at https://www.ndis.gov.au/coronavirus
- Information on the Department of Health’s COVID-19 advice for people with a disability can be found at https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/advice-for-people-at-risk-of-coronavirus-covid-19/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-people-with-disability
Information related to aged care
- The Australian Government Department of Health website provides up-to-date advice for the health and aged care sector, including the use of PPE.
- Information on the Department of Health’s response to COVID-19 can be found at https://www.health.gov.au/news/health-alerts/novel-coronavirus-2019-ncov-health-alert/coronavirus-covid-19-advice-for-the-health-and-aged-care-sector
- The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website includes updates, resources and explanations of the Commission’s regulatory responses to COVID-19.
- Information for eligible residential aged care employees covered by the Aged Care Award, Nurses Award and Health Services Award on paid pandemic leave can be found at https://coronavirus.fairwork.gov.au/coronavirus-and-australian-workplace-laws/temporary-changes-to-workplace-laws-during-coronavirus/paid-pandemic-leave-in-some-awards
Please note: this list is not exhaustive and is correct as at 12 April 2021.
Australian Government measures
Measure: COVID-19 vaccination rollout
Description:
The Australian Government has released the COVID-19 vaccine national roll-out strategy.
- Further information can be found in the following links:
- Link to the Department of Health’s COVID-19 vaccine national strategy
- Link to the Department of Health's COVID-19 Vaccine Information for Disability Service Providers
- Link to specific vaccine roll-out information for disability providers
- Link to NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission - COVID-19 Vaccine Provider Alert: 4 March 2021
- Link to NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission - COVID-19 Fact Sheet
Measure: NDIS Disaster Response
Description:
A package for providers that includes:
- A one-off advance payment for registered providers to assist with cash flow if that provider received a payment in February 2020 and at least one other payment in December 2019 or January 2020;
- Three new support coordination items in the support catalogue to allow for participants to flexibly use their Core or Capacity Building budgets;
- A temporary flexible approach for participants to purchase low cost assistive technology (AT) items up to $1,500 from their existing budgets; and
- Two new support items for participants living in Supported Independent Living (SIL) arrangements if a participant is diagnosed with COVID-19, which includes one-off cleaning services and a $1,200 maximum daily rate to cover the cost of higher intensity support to treat the participant.
- Further information can be found in the following links:
Measure: Government support for providers and workers
Description:
The Australian Government has offered to provide support to providers and workers through a funded aged care service. Residential and in-home care will be available to additional personal protective equipment, workforce support and cost reimbursement.
- Aged-care services funded by the Australian Government can access case management support and personal protective equipment.
- Aged care residents and staff will have access to priority sample collection and testing for suspected cases of COVID-19.
- Once a COVID-19 incident or outbreak is over the Australian Government plans to reimburse the costs for managing direct impacts of COVID-19.
- The Australian Government plans to support aged care workers through workforce retention bonuses, sickness allowance for workers, mental health support as well as several other financial support options.
- The Australian Government has encouraged the use of external resources such as Webinars and have even provided an Online training preparing care workers with a safety plan for COVID-19.
- Further information can be found in the following link:
Measure: COVID-19 Vaccine Aged Care Readiness Toolkit
Description:
As the COVID-19 Vaccine rolls the Australian Government has provided some advice to help prepare facilities, worker and residents for vaccination day.
- Visitor restrictions and screening all people on entry to a residential aged care facility.
- The Australian Government has provided a planning checklist for vaccination day that includes; planning, logistics, staffing, communication, consent, supporting residents on the day and GPs and allied health.
- Obtained and informed consent is an essential part of the vaccination rollout and residential aged care providers are responsible for this process.
- Residential aged care providers are also responsible for providing information to their residents and the Australian Government has provided the essential information.
- Residential aged care providers have also been asked to monitor residents for any side effects after their vaccination as well as reporting any adverse events
- The vaccination rollout plan is constantly under review, please keep an eye on the COVID-19 Vaccine Aged Care Readiness Toolkit for any updates.
- Further information can be found in the following link:
Measure: Aged care preparedness (PPE supplies in aged care)
Description:
Aged care providers that require Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) must now email agedcarecovidppe@health.gov.au for all requests.
- Requests can be made by aged care services and any workers providing support to people receiving aged care support living in the community.
- The Department of Health will triage the request to determine priority and may be in contact with the requester for further information.
- Once approved the request for supplies will be shared with the National Incident Room who will work with the requester’s State or Territory Government to distribute the supplies.
- For a list of information requirements to be included in the request email, please use the following link:
Measure: Cash flow assistance – boosting cash flow for employers
Description:
- The Australian Government will support small and medium-sized businesses to manage cash flow challenges via a tax-free payment to small and medium-sized businesses with a turnover of less than $50 million that employ workers. This measure will provide up to $25,000 back to employers, with a minimum payment of $2,000 for eligible businesses.
- Further information can be found in the following link:
Measure: Economic Response to Coronavirus – supporting apprentices and trainees
Description:
The Government is extending and expanding the Supporting Apprentices and Trainees wage subsidy.
- The subsidy will be available to support small and medium-sized businesses with fewer than 200 employees, including those using a Group Training Organisation, who retain an apprentice or trainee.
- Support for small business is available for wages paid from 1 January 2020 – 30 September 2020.
- For small and medium business who retain an Australian Apprentice engaged as at 1 July 2020, eligible employers can apply for a wage subsidy of 50 per cent of an apprentice’s or trainee’s wage paid from 1 July 2020 to 31 March 2021, up to a cap of $7,000 per quarter.
- Employers of any size, including Group Training Organisations, that re-engage an eligible out-of-trade apprentice or trainee will also be eligible for the subsidy.
- Further information can be found in the following link:
Measure: SME Guarantee Scheme
Description:
From 1 April 2020 the federal government will guarantee 50% of new loans, up to $250k, issued by eligible lenders to small and medium entities.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: ATO administrative concessions for businesses affected by the coronavirus
Description:
Some of these may be available to businesses who contact the ATO:
- Deferral of income tax and GST payments;
- PAYG instalment variation;
- Change of business reporting cycle to monthly where GST refunds are available;
- Remission of interest and penalties on tax liabilities incurred after 23 January 2020 for COVID-19 affected businesses;
The ATO may apply a low interest payment plan on ongoing tax liabilities for affected businesses.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Instant asset write-off
Description:
Immediate deduction for assets costing less than $150k for business with aggregated annual turnover of <500m. On 9 June 2020, the Government announced a six month extension to the Instant Asset Write-Off to 31 December 2020.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Accelerated depreciation until 30 June 2021
Description:
Accelerated depreciation deductions (50% on installation) for businesses with aggregated annual turnover of <500m.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Temporary relief for financially distressed businesses
Description:
Government is temporarily increasing the threshold which creditors can issue a statutory demand on a company ($5,000 -> $20,000), and time companies have to respond from personal liability for trading while insolvent.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Support for sole traders
Description:
The Australian Government has measures to support sole traders who do have any employees, including providing access to the JobKeeper Payment for Sole Traders, Backing Business Investment (BBI), income support payments, and SME Guarantee Scheme.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Medicare support for telehealth services
Description:
The Australian Government will expand Medicare-subsidised telehealth services for Australians.
Note, NDIS services can also be delivered via teletherapy. There is no separate line item, billing is the same as for a face-to-face session.
- For further information, please refer to the following links:
Measure: Paid Pandemic leave for some awards
Description:
The Fair Work Commission has extended access to paid pandemic leave, which will be available to eligible residential aged care employees covered by the Aged Care Award, Nurse Award and Health Service Award.
- For further information, please refer to the following links:
Measure: Unpaid pandemic leave & annual leave changes to awards
Description:
The Fair Work Commission has recently extended the unpaid pandemic leave. There are different end dates for the extended unpaid pandemic leave and annual leave provisions in each award.
- For further information, please refer to the following links:
Measure: Local Jobs Program
Description:
The Local Jobs Program runs to 30 June 2022 in 25 regions throughout Australia. It brings together expertise, resources and access to funding at the local level to focus on reskilling, upskilling and employment pathways for people in each region. The program is part of supporting Australia’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- For further information, please refer to the following links:
Measure: Prevent and Prepare for COVID-19 in Residential Aged Care
Description:
The Australian Government Department of health (DoH) has provided the following advice to help prevent and prepare for an outbreak. The new measures have been put in place to help minimise infection risks to aged care consumers, staff and visitors. Key elements include:
- Visitor restrictions and screening all people on entry to a residential aged care facility.
- Visitor restriction resources limits the number of visitors at any given time.
- In most states and territories only staff, visitors, health practitioners, volunteers and other people such as cleaners who have a current flu vaccination can enter a residential aged care facility
- Prepare an outbreak management plan which will test and adjust regularly.
- All residential aged care facilities should prepare their communication systems in case they have a COVID-19 outbreak.
- The DoH has issued an outbreak preparedness checklist, as well as listed some practical guidelines to support COVID-19 outbreak management plans.
- For further information, please refer to the following links:
Measure: Vaccination Information for People with a Disability
Description:
People with a disability might be eligible to receive priority access to COVID-19 vaccines.
- To check eligibility, please refer to the following link:
- For further information, please refer to the following links:
Measure: Budget 2021-22 Supporting Australians through COVID-19
Description:
The Federal Budget 2021-2022 extends COVID-19 response measures to continue to protect Australians’ health throughout the pandemic, such as access to telehealth, COVID-19 testing and support for residential aged care.
- For further information, please refer to the following links:
Please note: this list is not exhaustive and is correct as at 19 May 2021.
Measures in New South Wales
For general COVID-19 updates and guidelines specific to New South Wales please see the New South Wales State Government COVID-19 page.
Measure: Supporting NSW through COVID-19
Description:
Services NSW are providing supporting for individuals and businesses via phone calls and online resources. Resources include free legal advice, Australian Government payments and supports, and Emergency relief packages.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Grants, loans and financial assistance
Description:
Services NSW are providing various financial assistance to business including a Regional job creation fund and Jobs Plus program.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Small business fees and charges waiver
Description:
The NSW Government has announced several measures to support small businesses including a stimulus package, changes to payroll tax and fee waivers.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) Supplies Portal
Description:
Buy.nsw have established a PPE supplies portal for industry and the community to secure supplies needed for safe and robust operations. The list has over 900 suppliers who have indicated they can service PPE needs through business-to-business transactions.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: NSW Business Connect
Description:
Business Connect is a dedicated and personalised NSW Government program that provides trusted advice to help you start or grow your small business.
If your business has been affected by COVID-19 or bushfires, you can access free business advice and webinars.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: COVID-19 help for small businesses
Description:
Service NSW is prepared to help those small businesses effected by COVID-19. Service NSW aims to support small businesses by assisting them financially in conjunction with federal state and local government and the private sector.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Disability Service Providers
Description:
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, services have been disrupted at times, including services to people with disability. Because of the nature of their disability some people are more vulnerable to complications and therefore NSW health wishes to acknowledge the significant efforts of disability support providers.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Please note: this list is not exhaustive and is correct as at 19 May 2021.
Measures in Victoria
For general COVID-19 updates and guidelines specific to Victoria please see the Victorian State Government COVID-19 page.
Measure: Information for Community Services - COVID-19
Description:
The Department of Health and Human Services has developed an information page for providers in Community services, including those in the Disability sector. Information includes a COVID-19 plan for the disability services sector, isolation management in disability accommodation settings and information for disability service providers.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Business Support Package
Description:
The Victorian Government has released a new $534m Business Support Package to provide support to businesses and workers through the COVID-19 pandemic.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: $450 COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment
Description:
Victorian workers can apply for a $450 COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment that provides financial support while they self-isolate to wait for the results of their COVID-19 test.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Business Costs Assistance Program Round Two Top-Up Payment
Description:
Round two payments are eligible to small to medium businesses who cannot fully operate remotely and have been affected by the restrictions announced on Thursday 27 May. The program offers grants of up to $5,000. Applications close on 24 June 2021.
- For further information, please refer to the following link
Please note: this list is not exhaustive and is correct as at 15 June 2021.
Measures in Queensland
For general COVID-19 updates and guidelines specific to Queensland please see the Queensland State Government COVID-19 page.
Measure: Business Queensland COVID-19 business assistance finder
Description:
The Queensland Government's business assistance finder lists financial assistance and other types of relieve available. The finder allows businesses to view tailored information based on their business size, industry, local government area and other criteria.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Please note: this list is not exhaustive and is correct as at 11 February 2021.
Measures in Western Australia
For general COVID-19 updates and guidelines specific to Western Australia please see the Western Australia State Government COVID-19 page.
Measure: Small business grant/relief and Payroll tax threshold adjustment
Description:
The Western Australian Government is offering a series of measures for businesses in response to COVID-19. This includes a $607 million stimulus package to support WA small businesses through COVID-19, including a one-off grant of $17.5k to small businesses paying payroll tax. Other measures include, deferring payroll tax payments for business impacted by COVID-19 until July 21, 2020, and $114 million in additional measures to support small businesses.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: COVID-19 Business tools and Information
Description:
The WA Government's Business tools and information page offers updated information and tools in relation to COVID-19 including COVID-19 safety plans and guidelines, information on events, support for business and information for community service providers.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Please note: this list is not exhaustive and is correct as at 11 February 2021.
Measures in South Australia
For general COVID-19 updates and guidelines specific to South Australia please see the South Australia State Government COVID-19 page.
Measure: Support for Businesses
Description:
The South Australian Government is providing support to businesses in South Australia including sole traders, companies and employers. Business support measures include financial support, information and resources for developing a COVID-19 Safe Plan and practical advice and tips to support business in recovering and rebuilding.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Support for businesses, jobs and the community impacted by COVID-19
Description:
The South Australian Government has announced a $530m Business and Jobs Support Fund as part of the 2020-21 Budget to directly assist individual businesses facing potential collapse due to COVID-19. A $265m Community and Job Supports Fund was also announced to assist community organisations.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Mental Health Support COVID-19
Description:
To support the mental health of South Australians during this time SA Health have established a Virtual Support Network of services based locally in South Australia.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Local Jobs Program, Adelaide North, Murray and South East
Description:
The Local Jobs Program runs to 30 June 2022 in 25 regions throughout Australia. It brings together expertise, resources and access to funding at the local level to focus on reskilling, upskilling and employment pathways for people in each region. The Program is part of supporting Australia’s economic recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: COVID-19 Strategy for Residential Aged Care Facilities
Description:
To reduce the spread of COVID-19 within South Australia, the State Coordinator has issued a Direction under the Emergency Management Act 2004 to limit entry into residential aged care facilities in South Australia.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Aged care, retirement village and disability sectors: COVID-19 health advice
Description:
Restrictions and requirements have been implemented by the South Australian Government to help stop the spread of COVID-19.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: COVID-19 Provider Update
Description:
There are regular provider updates in South Australia. This update aims to support local GPs, general practice staff, and other primary health care providers working on the frontline across Adelaide to support the COVID-19 response.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Please note: this list is not exhaustive and is correct as at 19 May 2021.
Measures in Tasmania
For general COVID-19 updates and guidelines specific to Tasmania please see the Tasmania State Government COVID-19 page.
Measure: Tax Relief and Business Stimulus Measures
Description:
The Tasmanian Government has introduced a number of business stimulus measures in response to the impact of COVID-19. These measures include: home building, payroll and land tax measures.
- For further information, please refer to the following links:
Measure: Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council (PESRAC)
Description:
The Premier’s Economic and Social Recovery Advisory Council provides advice to the Premier on strategies and initiatives to support the short to medium; and the longer-term recovery from COVID-19.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Business Tasmania Coronavirus Information
Description:
Business Tasmania has collated a series of information sheets on COVID-19 relevant to business owners. Information is available on current business restrictions, COVID-19 business support, grants and loans and COVID-19 safety plans.
- For further information, please refer to the following links:
Measure: Rapid Response Skills Matching Service
Description:
To help move workers into new jobs as quickly as possible, the Rapid Response Skills Matching Service has been established to help match and prepare job-ready workers with industries and businesses. Businesses that have immediate job needs and opportunities available can register for this Service.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Building Projects Support Program – Business Tasmania
Description:
The Tasmanian Government has allocated $10 million to support the building and construction sector. The Tasmania Government aims to bring forward community or commercial projects that will help stimulate the sector and support local jobs.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Mandating Check in TAS
Description:
By 1 May 2021 the Tasmanian Government will require many organisations to use the free ‘Check in Tas’ app to collect contact information about everyone who spends time at their premises or event.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: COVID-19 Outbreaks in Residential Aged Care Facilities
Description:
The Public Health Services, Department of Health Tasmania has developed a toolkit to assist aged care providers with the prevention, control and public health management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care facilities.
Measure: Tasmanian Government Coronavirus disease (COVID-19) Resources
Description:
On this page you can find various fact sheets on the impact of COVID-19 on: Families and Community; Business and Employees; and Health Professionals, among more information on how to stay safe and government reports.
Measure: Supporting Tasmania’s Small Businesses
Description:
Premier of Tasmania, Peter Gutwein has announced his continued support for small businesses, committing an additional $200,000 in funding to the COVID-19 Small Business Financial Counselling Support Program.
Measure: Supporting Tasmanians to gain skills and jobs
Description:
The Job Ready Fund will open on 1 July, providing $2 million over two years to support Tasmanians in accessing the skills and training required to move into the workforce.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Please note: this list is not exhaustive and is correct as at 15 June 2021.
Measures in the Australian Capital Territory
For general COVID-19 updates and guidelines specific to the Australian Capital Territory please see the ACT Government COVID-19 page.
Measure: Community Support Package
Description:
The ACT Government is working with non-government organisation partners on the $7m package to provide food relief and support for vulnerable members of the community and meet increased service demand for emergency relief.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Commercial tenancy relief
Description:
The ACT government has developed a scheme that provides relief for business tenants and owner-operated commercial properties.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Infection control training
Description:
New nationally recognised infection control training is available from 5 June for workers in customer facing roles to help them understand how to minimise the risk of COVID-19 spreading.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: COVID-19 tax relief measures
Description:
The ACT Revenue Office has developed a list of COVID-19 tax relief measures that are available to help businesses and households impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Rental relief to tenants of ACT Government owned properties
Description:
Commercial tenants significantly affected by COVID-19 may receive rental relief from 1 April 2020 for up to six-months.
- For further information, please email:
Measure: Booking your COVID-19 Vaccination
Description:
The ACT Government are opening appointments for all people in phase 1a and 1b, and people aged 50 years and over. Information on where you can get vaccinated or how to book your appointment is available online.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
- For further information on how workers in residential aged care can get a COVID-19 vaccination, please refer to the following Department of Health link:
Measure: An ACT Operational Plan for People with Disability
Description:
ACT Health has released its COVID-19 An ACT Operational Plan for People with Disability. The plan outlines the responses that have been completed, are underway, and to be delivered. The plan will continue to be revised accordingly.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Information for Disability Accommodation Providers
Description:
ACT Health, along with the Public Health Emergency Coordination Centre has developed some educational resources on responding to a case of COVID-19 in a supported accommodation site. The information is also relevant to support workers or organisations who provide in-home support.
- For further information, please refer to the following links:
Measure: COVID-19 Hardship Isolation Payment
Description:
A COVID-19 Hardship Isolation Payment for workers experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic has been created to support people from Canberra who are unable to temporarily work under a COVID-19 direction or health guidance.
- For further information, please refer to the following links:
Measure: Community Services Information
Description:
Visit the Community Services Directorate website for information on support for seniors, homelessness, people with disabilities, children and family related services, and more.
- For further information, please refer to the following links:
Please note: this list is not exhaustive and is correct as at 18 June 2021.
Measures in the Northern Territory
For general COVID-19 updates and guidelines specific to the Northern Territory please see the Northern Territory Government COVID-19 page.
Measure: Jobs first plan
Description:
The Northern Territory Government’s jobs first plan and business recovery website provides information on supports that are available to businesses and not-for-profits. Website users can search for information by business type.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Measure: Government fees and charges increase freeze
Description:
Any regular increases on government fees and charges, including electricity costs, will be put on hold.
- For further information, please refer to the following link:
Please note: this list is not exhaustive and is correct as at 11 February 2021.