The Federal Government has made some changes to social security to support people who have lost their job or face other difficulties during the coronavirus (COVID-19) crisis. While these measures are very welcome, they have not been extended to all people in Australia, leaving many people on temporary visas and bridging visas in very vulnerable situations. Further, many refugees and people seeking asylum, as well as the organisations and people supporting them, are confused about the various eligibility criteria for these packages.

This page provides information about COVID-19 and social security, including answering some frequently asked questions about who can benefit from these new measures during the COVID-19 crisis.

Please note that these policies are rapidly changing due to the current crisis. We will try to keep this page up to date. For more information, please see the websites below.

Read the COVID Social Security FAQ
Size : 171.3 kB Format : PDF

Services Australia also has translated factsheets available online here.

JobSeeker

JobSeeker is the new name for a number of Centrelink payments that have been combined into a single new payment. It provides financial help for people over 22 who are unemployed, underemployed or who are sick or injured and cannot work. Those previously on Newstart and other payments have now been moved to the new JobSeeker payment.

People aged 21 and younger are able to access Youth Allowance for job seekers.

Who is eligible for JobSeeker?

Australian citizens and permanent residence are eligible for JobSeeker. The usual two-year waiting period for permanent residents has been waived during the COVID-19 crisis.

This means that refugees on a permanent visa (subclasses 200, 201, 202, 203, 204 and 866), as well as those who have Australian citizenship are eligible for JobSeeker.

How much can I get on JobSeeker?

Your JobSeeker Payment amount depends on your situation, including if you have children and how much you earn per fortnight. If you are single without children you can receive up to $565.70 per fortnight.

You can continue to work while you are getting JobSeeker. The more you earn, the less income support you receive.

Learn more: Jobseeker Payment.

The Coronavirus Supplement

The Coronavirus Supplement is a temporary fortnightly payment of $550 per fortnight, to assist people who have lost their job or have reduced wages during this period.

Who is eligible for the Coronavirus Supplement?

You’ll automatically get the supplement if you’re getting one of these payments:

• JobSeeker Payment, Partner Allowance, Widow Allowance, Sickness Allowance and Wife Pension
• Youth Allowance for job seekers
• Youth Allowance for students and apprentices
• Austudy for students and apprentices
• ABSTUDY for students getting Living Allowance
• Parenting Payment partnered and single
• Farm Household Allowance
• Special Benefit.

This means that refugees on TPVs or SHEVs who are receiving Special Benefit, as well as refugees on permanent visas who are receiving other Centrelink payments (such as JobSeeker) are eligible for the full Coronavirus Supplement.

Can I still receive the Coronavirus Supplement if I work?

You will still be eligible for the full $550 Coronavirus Supplement if you work, provided you have not earned more than the limit for your other Centrelink payment.

For example, if you are single and on JobSeeker, you can earn up to $1,086 per fortnight before your JobSeeker payment is reduced to $0. As long as you receive a payment (no matter how small) through JobSeeker, you will be eligible for the full $550 Coronavirus Supplement per fortnight.

Learn more: Coronavirus Supplement (Services Australia).

$750 Economic Support Payment

The Economic Support Payment is a one-off payment of $750 for people who are receiving certain Government benefits. The first payment was announced for people who were receiving Government benefits between 12 March 2020 and 13 April 2020. A second Economic Support Payment will be provided from 13 July 2020 to those receiving certain Government benefits on 10 July 2020.

Who is eligible for the Economic Support Payment?

Most people receiving income support from Centrelink are eligible for the Economic Support Payment. This includes refugees on TPVs or SHEVs who are receiving Special Benefit, as well as refugees on permanent visas.

Learn more: the Economic Support Payment (Services Australia).

JobKeeper Subsidy

The JobKeeper Subsidy is a payment of $1500 per employee to eligible businesses and non-profit organisations.

What businesses and non-profit organisations are eligible for the JobKeeper Subsidy?

Employers will be eligible for the subsidy if:

• their business has a turnover of less than $1 billion and their turnover has fallen by more than 30 per cent (of at least a month); or
• their business has a turnover of $1 billion or more and their turnover has fallen by more than 50 per cent (of at least a month); or
• they are a not-for-profit enterprise and have their turnover has fallen by more than 15 per cent.

Self-employed businesses (e.g. sole-traders) are also eligible if they meet the above tests.

What employees are eligible?

Eligible employees are employees who:

• are currently employed by the eligible employer (including those stood down or re-hired)
• were employed by the employer at 1 March 2020
• are full-time, part-time, or long-term casuals (a casual employed on a regular basis for longer than 12 months as at 1 March 2020)
• are at least 16 years of age
• are an Australian citizen, the holder of a permanent visa, a Protected Special Category Visa Holder, a non-protected Special Category Visa Holder who has been residing continually in Australia for 10 years or more, or a Special Category (Subclass 444) Visa Holder
• are not in receipt of a JobKeeper Payment from another employer

This means that people on temporary visas, including refugees on Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEVs), as well as people seeking asylum on Bridging Visas are not eligible for the JobKeeper Subsidy.

Refugees on permanent visas and those who are Australian Citizens are eligible for the JobKeeper Subsidy.

RCOA has advocated to amend this criteria to allow all temporary visa holders access to the JobKeeper Subsidy, but as of yet these recommendations have not been accepted. We will continue to advocate for people on temporary visas and will update this information should the eligibility change.

Learn more: JobKeeper Subsidy (Business.gov.au).

Refugees on TPVs and SHEVs

Refugees on Temporary Protection Visas (TPVs) and Safe Haven Enterprise Visas (SHEVs) are not eligible for JobSeeker or JobKeeper. However, they are eligible for Special Benefit, which is the same rate as JobSeeker, as well as the Coronavirus Supplement and the Economic Support Payments (outlined above).

What is Special Benefit?

Special Benefit is a Centrelink payment for people who are not eligible for any other Centrelink payment (for example, because of their visa). Currently, refugees on TPVs and SHEVs are eligible for Special Benefit.

Special Benefit is paid at the same rate as JobSeeker (above) and has similar criteria about working. However, people who are studying full time are not eligible for Special Benefit.

What if I am studying?

Refugees on TPVs or SHEVs who are over 18 years old and studying full time are not eligible for Special Benefit. However, they can study part time provided they meet other obligations (such as looking for work).

Information about studying on a TPV/SHEV and Special Benefit

We have advocated to change this policy to allow students on a TPV and SHEV to continue receiving Special Benefit and will update this page if this changes.

What about the SHEV pathway?

Currently, people on a SHEV are encouraged to work or study in a designated regional area for 42 months, without receiving Special Benefit. If they do so, they are able to apply for other skilled, student or partner visas, but must also meet the criteria for those visa.

This means that if someone receives Special Benefit, they will not be able to count this time towards meeting the pathway requirement.

RCOA is advocating to change this policy so that refugees on a SHEV are not penalised for accessing Special Benefit during the COVID-19 crisis.

People Seeking Asylum

Currently, people seeking asylum, such as those on a bridging visa, are not eligible for JobSeeker, the Coronavirus Supplement, Economic Support Payments or the JobKeeper Subsidy. You may be able to receive support through the Status Resolution Support Service (SRSS) and should contact your caseworker about this.

RCOA is continuously advocating to ensure that all residents, including people seeking asylum, have access to a safety net during the COVID-19 crisis.

Our advocacy on COVID-19.

Students

Full time refugee students on permanent visas are able to access Youth Allowance and AusStudy, as previously. In addition, if they are receiving these payments, they should also be eligible for the Coronavirus Supplement and the Economic Support Payments.

However, refugees on TPVs or SHEVs who are over 18 years old and studying full time are not eligible for income support through Special Benefit or other Centrelink payments.

Free child care

New policies announced on 2 April 2020 mean that the Federal Government will provide free child care to all families. Child care providers will receive an ongoing payment equivalent to 50% of their fees, and must waive all fees for families.

This free child care arrangement is not based on visa status and is available for all families.

Learn more: Free child care (Parliamentary Library).

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