Federal Budget: Paid Pandemic Leave and COVID-19 Testing for Workers

The Federal Government has handed down its 2020-21 budget, in which it commits hundreds of millions of dollars towards detecting COVID-19 in the workforce, maintaining the paid pandemic leave scheme, and increased funding for the Fair Work Commission.

$1.1 billion is being allocated to states and territories, including funding to ensure private hospitals are available to support the health response. $3.2 billion is also going to personal protective equipment. Over 76 million masks, and other protective equipment, has been distributed from the National Medical Stockpile to protect frontline workers.

$711.7 million will go toward the Medicare coverage of processes for detecting COVID-19, including tests for asymptomatic aged-care workers and interstate freight workers.

The Government is also partnering with states and territories to deliver the $34.3 million Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment to help stop the spread of COVID-19.

The payment is a one-off grant of $1,500 to eligible workers who are unable to work and earn income while under a direction to self-isolate or quarantine or who are caring for someone who has tested positive for COVID-19.

To date, the Government says it has made around 10,000 payments to residents of participating jurisdictions – Victoria, New South Wales, Tasmania and Western Australia.

More than $148 million in additional funding is being provided for mental health supports to help individuals and communities through the pandemic. All Australians will now be able to access 10 additional Medicare rebated psychology sessions, with the support of their GP. This will increase access to mental health care for Australians who are experiencing more severe or enduring mental health impacts as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic.

Critical frontline services, including headspace, Lifeline, Kids Helpline and Beyond Blue have been provided with more than $14 million in additional funding in this Budget to ensure they can continue to provide digital and telephone support to individuals, particularly in Victoria.

More Australians with a mental illness will also be supported to participate in the workplace with $45.7 million to expand the headspace individual placement and support program.

The Fair Work Commission will receive an additional $5.1 million over two years in order to respond to an “increase in its workload as a result of COVID-19”.

Attorney-General Christian Porter said the additional funding would allow Australians to solve their workplace disputes as quickly and efficiently as possible.

“The past year has presented a number of challenges to legal and workplace services in terms of the level of demand and issues arising from the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.

“We are investing in additional resources, upgraded systems and better facilities to ensure the services within my portfolio responsibility continue to allow Australians to efficiently resolve their legal and workplace issues.”