NSW residents can now get their hands on $1500 pandemic payment

New South Wales (NSW) residents can now access a $1500 cash payment if they're unable to work due to COVID-19 and meet certain criteria.

The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment is a federal program, but isn't available in every state.

As it stands, it's been approved for Tasmania, Victoria, Western Australia and now NSW.

Citizens or visa holders with working rights who are 17 years of age and older can apply for the payment if they have coronavirus, have been in close contact with someone who does, or care for a child who is infected or has been in contact with someone who is.

"People can actually access the payment multiple times if, unfortunately, they're in a position where they have to self-isolate as a direct requirement on multiple times and hopefully, that won't be too often," Prime Minister Scott Morrison said in August.

"Hopefully people will only have to go through that on the single occasion, but we know that isn't always the case."

On the other hand, you won't be able to get it if you haven't yet exhausted your sick leave or receive income support payments such as ABSTUDY Living Allowance, Paid Parental Leave or Dad and Partner Pay, or JobKeeper.

"By introducing the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment we are ensuring we continue to do everything we can to protect the community against undetected transmission," says NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian.

"We do not want some workers to have to choose between isolating and financially supporting themselves or their dependents."

The Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment will benefit employees in industries such as childcare. This is because extra caution is being taken to prevent COVID-19 cases entering the workplace as well as in the employees' own homes where children may also be present, meaning employees are restricted in their movements and unable to work.

Meanwhile, JobSeeker payments are set to reduce to a maximum of $1200 per fortnight on September 28, and a maximum of $1000 a fortnight from January 3, with the program winding up altogether on March 28 next year.

To make a claim for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment, call Services Australia on 180 22 66. You can find more information here.

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