It can be a worrying time if you're a casual worker. Luckily, there are a few ways to get help. We've put together a list of what you need to know if you're a casual worker, especially if you need to take time off, are made unemployed or your work temporarily closes.
We'll update this page as the government announces more support and packages, so keep checking back.
Quick summary: What help can I get?
- The Australian Government announced on 30 March 2020 that you may be eligible for payments of $1,500 from your employer if you've lost out on shifts or lost your job. Before applying for Centrelink, call your employer and ask if you're eligible for their JobKeeper payment.
- This is a payment that will come through your workplace, not from Centrelink. It's money given to businesses from the government to incentivise them to keep their employees.
- If you're not eligible, there are two payments you might be eligible for: the JobSeeker payment and the Coronavirus Supplement.
- The JobSeeker payment - formerly known as Newstart - is for those who are unemployed or do not have enough work.
- The JobSeeker payment pays $565.70/fortnight.
- Waiting periods and assets tests has been waived (which means you can still have savings). You'll also only have to apply for 4 jobs per month.
- The Coronavirus Supplement is a temporary, additional top-up payment of $550 a fortnight for people receiving eligible support payments. This includes JobSeeker, Youth Allowance, Austudy, Abstudy, Sickness Allowance, Parenting Payment and Farm Household Allowance. It will be applied automatically if you're eligible. See the Services Australia news update from 25 March 2020 for further details.
- The Coronavirus Supplement will begin on April 27 and will be available for at least 6 months.
- That means that if you've lost your job as a result of coronavirus, you might be eligible for payments of $1100 a fortnight through both of these payments.
- You can also take out up to $10,000 from your superannuation, tax-free. Make sure you read up on this and understand what this means for your super if you go ahead with it.
If you lose your job or have shifts cut as a result of the coronavirus, you can access the following welfare support. Recipients of these benefits will see a $550 fortnightly increase on benefits due to the Coronavirus Supplement, or be eligible for a $750 Economic Support payment.
- JobKeeper payment. If you're a part-time worker or a casual employee that has been stood down or had their hours reduced, you could be eligible to receive a minimum fortnightly payment of $1,500 before tax from your employer. Casual employees must have worked for their employer for a minimum of 12 months to be eligible. Find out more in our comprehensive JobKeeper guide.
- Jobseeker payment. Formerly known as Newstart, this is intended to assist those who are looking for work. The government has temporarily waived many waiting periods and expanded eligibility for the payment.
- Youth allowance. This is an income supplement for job seekers aged 16 - 21, or full-time students or apprentices under the age of 25. If you've lost your job or casual shifts and are the right age, you may be able to access this payment.
- Coronavirus Supplement. This is an additional $550 for those who are already on welfare payments. It will automatically be applied on 27th April.
Apart from welfare, you may also be able to access financial hardship assistance programs if you're having trouble paying your bills, or take money out of your superannuation early.
Centrelink has put together a quiz that lets you quickly see all potential payments and benefits that you might be eligible for.
Take the Centrelink Payment quiz
If you ordinarily receive $1,500 or more in income per fortnight before tax, you will continue to receive your regular income according to the prevailing workplace arrangements. The JobKeeper Payments will subsidise part or all of your income.
The Jobseeker payment usually only applies to people out of a job actively looking for work. However, it's been expanded in the face of the coronavirus outbreak.
| Single, no children | $565.70 |
| Single, with a dependent child or children | $612.00 |
| Single, aged 60 or over, after 9 continuous months on payment | $612.00 |
| Partnered | $510.80 each |
| Single with no children. | $1,086.50 |
| Single, 60 years of age or older and have been receiving payment for at least 9 months continuously. | $1,175.17 |
| Single, principal carer, with a dependent child. | $1,673.25 |
| single principal carer of a dependent child, granted an exemption from mutual obligation requirements | $2,124.75 |
| Single, 60 years of age or older, and a principal carer with a dependent child. You must have been getting payment for at least 9 months continuously. | $1,673.25 |
| Single, with a dependent child but not the principal carer. | $1,164.84 |
| Partnered. | $993.50 each |
Eligibility
On top of regular eligibility, the following people will also be able to access Jobseeker benefits from 27 April:
- Permanent workers who have been stood down or lost their jobs.
- Sole traders, self-employed people, contractors and casual workers who have had their income reduced.
- Anyone caring for someone infected or in isolation because of contact with a coronavirus case.
While ordinary waiting periods are already waived until June 12 and the regular asset tests will be waived from April 27, you will still be subject to certain income requirements for eligibility.
What if my hours are cut but I'm still technically employed?
Lots of businesses are cutting the hours of casual staff. If you've gone from 5 days to 2 days work a week, you might be eligible for Jobseeker payment - it depends on how much you earn a fortnight. The below table outlines your eligibility - your situation will change if you have any dependents or a partner.
| Single, with no children or dependants | $565.70 | $1,086.50 |
| Single, with a dependent child or children | $612.00 | $1,164.84 |
| Partnered | $510.80 each | $993.50 each |
If you're still not sure you are under the threshold, take the Centrelink quiz to see if you're eligible.
The Coronavirus Supplement is intended to provide additional support for Australians who are suffering financially as a result of the coronavirus. Basically, it's an extra $550 fortnightly payment that will be added to existing welfare payments from the 27th of April.
Eligibility
It applies to recipients of the following benefits:
- JobSeeker Payment
- Sickness Allowance
- Youth Allowance for jobseekers
- Parenting Payment Partnered
- Parenting Payment Single
- Partner Allowance
- Sickness Allowance
- Farm Household Allowance
What do I need to do to access the Coronavirus Supplement?
If you're on an eligible welfare program already, you won't have to do anything to get the Coronavirus Supplement. It will be automatically added to your payments from the 27th of April.
To apply for welfare, you can use MyGov via a Centrelink account or contact Services Australia to find out more information.
On 22 March 2020, the government announced that individuals in financial stress as a result of COVID-19 will be able to access up to $10,000 of their superannuation in the 2019/20 financial year and a further $10,000 in 2020/21. These super withdrawals will be tax free.
Eligibility
In order to access your super early, you have to meet at least one of the following criteria:
- You are unemployed.
- You're eligible for certain welfare programs, including Jobseeker payments, Youth Allowance, Parenting Payment, or Farm Household Allowance.
- You've been made redundant or had your hours reduced by 20% since 1 January 2020.
- You're a sole trader and you've had to pause your business or seen your turnover drop by 20% since 1 January 2020.
Those who meet one of these requirements can access up to $10,000 from their super starting on 20 April til 1 July 2020. A further $10,000 will be available to access from 1 July until 20 September 2020.
Should I withdraw from my super early?
For those in severe financial difficulty, it can be tempting to withdraw some of your super now to pay urgent bills or other critical life costs. However, there are a couple of things to consider:
- Impact on retirement. Any money you withdraw now won't be available at retirement. Funds in your super are invested and will probably have grown in the future, so you're not just taking $10,000 from your retirement, but potentially $100,000.
- Low markets. Right now, stocks have crashed as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Withdrawing your funds at present will mean that you're freezing those losses in for the long term.
For more information on what's involved and possible alternatives, see our guide to early super access during the coronavirus outbreak.
Yes. Full-time students who are 24 or younger are eligible for Youth Allowance, while those who are older than 24 can access Austudy payments.
Students on Youth Allowance will be further eligible for the ongoing $550 a fortnight Coronavirus Supplement boost from 27 April 2020. Students may also be eligible for the first Economic Support payment, paid by the 17 April 2020. Eligible payments will be made directly to your nominated bank account.
If you're an international student studying in Australia, you're unlikely to be eligible for government support if you're still within your first 12 months in the country. This is because it's already a requirement that international students are able to financially support themselves for at least 12 months after arriving in Australia.
Potentially. While the Jobseeker payment is only available for those over the age of 22, people aged 16 - 21 who are looking for work might be able to access Youth Allowance. People aged 16 - 24 who are studying full time or doing a full time Australian Apprenticeship may also be eligible for Youth Allowance as a student. If you are on Youth Allowance, you will be eligible for the ongoing $550 a fortnight Coronavirus Supplement boost from 27 April 2020.
However, if you're living with your parents or other guardians and are under 22 years old, you will be assessed as either financially dependent or independent, which can impact your payments. If you're classified as financially dependent, then your ability to access payments will depend on your parent's income.
You are considered as a dependent unless you meet certain criteria, including:
- Showing you support yourself through work.
- Being in a registered relationship, or having a dependent child of your own.
- Being unable to live at home or having parents who can't look after you.
- Being a job seeker who is assessed as being unable to work over 30 hours a week.
More details, including the full criteria for independence, can be found on the Services Australia page. If you are judged to be dependent, your payments and eligibility will depend on your guardians' incomes.
If you have lost your job, but your partner is still employed, you might be eligible for JobSeeker payments if your partner earns under $993.50 a fortnight. From 27 April 2020, the amount your partner can earn before your payment is cancelled will be temporarily increased to $3,086.80 (before tax) each fortnight. Any income you earn could also affect your payment.
On top of that, you may also be eligible for the extra $550 a fortnight in the Coronavirus Supplement, which is applied automatically to anyone who's on welfare payments and out of work due to the virus. If you have any children or dependents, you may also be eligible for family payments.
Take the Centrelink quiz to get an idea of what you're eligible for. If you get your application started online, your Jobseeker payments will be backdated to when you first began your application.
In ordinary circumstances, yes. However, temporary visa holders may be eligible for payments depending on your current situaion. For example, the Australian gov website says that they look at all of the following when deciding:
where you live and who you live with if you have family in Australia or overseas your employment, business or financial ties in Australia and overseas your assets in Australia and overseas how often and how long you travel outside Australia anything else we think is relevant.
Current travel restrictions mean that many visa holders couldn't leave Australia, meaning they're effectively stranded here for the time being, with many out of work. If you're in that situation, there might be some exceptions made to include you. Unfortunately, it's impossible to give a definite answer as applications are being considered on a case by case basis. However, you should get in touch with Centrelink as soon as possible and explain your financial situation.
If you're trying to build up your emergency savings at the moment, opening a high interest savings account could help. A high interest savings account makes your money work harder by paying a higher rate of interest on each dollar you save. Plus, you'll benefit from compound interest (so even your interest will earn interest). The AMP Saver account currently offers a market-leading savings rate of 2% p.a. for the first 6 months, with no fees to pay or deposit conditions to meet.
Many services, from broadband to energy providers to banks, have financial hardship systems in place for customers who are struggling to pay their bills. Given the huge economic impact of the coronavirus, these programs are more important than ever.
Usually, to access financial hardship measures, you simply need to contact the relevant provider and state you're having financial difficulty. For a list of special financial hardship measures and help available as a result of the coronavirus, see our regularly updated guide here.
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Income protection insurance is designed to pay you a regular income for a particular period of time over which you're unable to work due to disability or illness. While it can be extremely helpful for full-time employees who are affected by the coronavirus, it's much less useful for casual workers.
This is because casual workers aren't eligible for standard income protection policies, but also because you won't be able to access any of the expanded welfare benefits outlined in this article if you're receiving income protection payments. It's entirely possible that welfare will benefit you more than income protection would.
That said, some specialist insurers cover casual workers, so options do exist. For a rundown on how income protection policies cover COVID-19 and the coronavirus in particular, see our full guide.
If you're exposed to coronavirus as a result of your work, you may be able to access the following services:
- Workers compensation: In order to be eligible for workers compensation, you'll need to prove that the virus was contracted directly from your workplace or due to your working conditions and that significant measures were not in place to protect you from this. Workers compensation is handled by individual states and territories, you can find more information here.
- Government stimulus package: At the moment, the Government has a stimulus package but it only works for those who have been directly impacted by coronavirus, not those workplaces that might temporarily shut down as a result of coronavirus, such as a cafe or clothing store. The Federal Government has announced a large stimulus package that includes a one-off $750 cash payment to people already on Centrelink benefits. However you have to already be on these payments to receive it, which means you probably are already unemployed or working reduced hours.
- State stimulus packages: WA recently announced a $607 million stimulus package which will freeze household fees until the next financial year (June 30, 2021). Western Australians will still have to pay their bills, but there will be no increases in line with inflation, as was originally intended. Tasmania has also announced that it will provide one-off emergency relief payments for casual workers and those on low incomes of $250 for individuals, as well as $1,000 for families forced to self-isolate. It's expected that more states will announce state stimulus packages which you might be able to benefit from.
As it stands, casual workers are not currently entitled to paid sick leave in Australia under the National Employment Standards. This means that if you're not able to work due to coronavirus or because you're required to self-isolate, you won't be entitled to paid leave in the way part time or full time workers are.
If an employer enforces isolation or closes the business, casual workers are still not entitled to paid leave. At the moment, your best option is to speak to your employer and see if you can come to an agreement about paid leave should they need to temporarily shut down. They might be able to keep you on the books if they are eligible for the JobKeeper payments of $1,500/fortnight.
Remember that if you are dismissed and you feel it is harsh, unjust or unreasonable, you are protected by the Fair Work Act and can lodge a complaint.
If you are anticipating that your income is going to be severely reduced you should plan ahead. Here are some helpful tips:
- Cut down on excess spending. Eating out, buying things you don't absolutely need. It's a good idea to put money into an emergency fund. If you need help tracking your money and maximising your savings, consider using the Finder app.
- Look at income protection if you don't already have it. Speak to an advisor about your options and check your superannuation.
- Contact your utilities and providers. Ask them about financial hardship plans, bill freezing or pausing. If you have insurance, many providers will allow you to temporarily pause your premiums if you can't afford them but still cover you.
- See which expenses you can reduce quickly. Is there anything you don't need? Something you could sell? If so, it might be worth doing.
- Look for alternative work. If you have lost your job or have had shifts cut you might consider finding work in a new industry that has been less impacted by the pandemic. For instance, Coles has announced the creation of 5000 new casual roles to cope with increased demand. Telstra has also signalled that will hire an additional 1000 temporary staff in their call centres. The NSW Government also announced $250 million for public schools and state-owned buildings to employ more cleaners, with $750 million to be spent on capital works and maintenance of public assets as well.
Ways to make money online and keep up with your expenses
If you're worried about your ability to pay your monthly credit card payments, it might be worth looking into a balance transfer credit card. This type of card charges 0% of interest for a certain period of time (anywhere between 6 months to 26 months depending on the card). Not paying interest on your card could help while you get back on your feet.
Check out balance transfer credit cards
Try to steer clear of taking out payday loans or cash advances. While easy to get, these loans are incredibly expensive and will end up costing you far more than the original sum you borrowed. If you're stretched financially, you might want to consider these alternatives to payday loans.
If you do take out a loan, your best option might be a no interest loan scheme (NILs), which is managed by Good Shepherd Microfinance, a community organisation. This lets you apply for a loan for up to $1,200 and gives you 12 to 18 months to pay back.
There is a lot of stress and anxiety in the world right now and that can be made worse if you're struggling financially. It's important to know where to get help if you're finding it hard to cope.
If you're experiencing symptoms of anxiety or depression, try reaching out to Beyond Blue on 1300 224 636. You can speak with trained mental health professionals over the phone or through the online forum. Their website also contains excellent information and tools for maintaining good mental health.
If you are experiencing a mental health crisis or severe emotional distress, call Lifeline on 13 11 14. They are a 24-hour crisis support and suicide prevention network.
If you or someone you know is in immediate danger call 000 to get help from emergency services as soon as possible.
Need to find some quick savings?
It's a pretty uncertain and scary time right now and being in financial stress can make it all the worse. If you're struggling to keep up with your finances, there are ways you can make some quick savings to relieve the burden. Maybe switching credit cards or downgrading your mobile phone plan could help you save some money.
Managing your daily finances can help you get through this difficult time - you'll be glad you did it.
Picture: GettyImages
I currently receive Jobseeker due to losing my full-time job in Health. My partner still works and earns $2000 per fortnight. So I get the Jobseeker and Coronavirus supplement minus a little due to my partner’s wage. I am applying for casual work as unable to obtain full-time work, not from a lack of trying. If I get this job it will pay me approx. $896 per fortnight. How much Jobseeker can I keep if any, and would I still be eligible for the Coronavirus supplement until this ceases too? Any assistance much appreciated as no phone assistance available currently due to workload, and I am finding conflicting info on the Centrelink website and additional articles?
Hi NessaLynn,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
Sorry to hear that you lost your full-time job due to coronavirus. If you will get a casual job, you may lose your JobSeeker allowance as well as the Coronavirus supplement if you will exceed the income threshold. Ideally, you would need to report your income every fortnight especially if there are any changes in your circumstances so you can be paid the right amount.
Failure to do so may result in a debt that you will need to repay.
Hope this helps and keep safe!
Kind Regards,
Mai
I’m an intensive care paramedic working as a casual but it’s my full-time work (3 shifts of 12.25 hours in 7 days over the past months, equated to 1 day less than a full-time permanent employee over a standard 9-week roster). I’m casual for the flexibility to study and work a couple of other organisations including the one who looked after The Ruby Princess Cruise ship ( I was the very lost person out of what we call the Red or Hot Zone) where I worked 11 days. My workload has now dropped dramatically to 1 shift in 14 days if I am lucky due to NSW Ambulance and Health rapidly employing many new staff and allowing lots of new students to enter the workplace due to the projected possible COVID 19 impact on health resources, which has not occurred. Also many other NSW Ambulance casual and part-time employees are wanting and in need of more work with Ambulance because their other primary place of employment or their partner’s employment has been affected by the COVID-19 situation. My other 2 irregular casual positions have ceased to employ as they do not have the contracted work used to provide services. I find in my research I can’t move to full-time employment because the NSW Ambulance has now overstaffed. I am not meeting criteria for any assistance from any government support schemes and due to my workplace putting more employees on instead the usual putting them off, they don’t meet the criteria for subsidies to assist people in my situation. No real question here just wanted to let you know my unbelievable situation of a front line, long-serving Specialist Paramedic who can’t get support at this time.
Hey Wayne,
Thanks for getting in touch. I’m so sorry to hear about how the pandemic is affecting you right now. I can only imagine what you must be going through. You’re on the front lines, and I wish things were better for you.
It sounds like you’ve tried to look into your eligibility for JobSeeker. If not, it’s worth considering, as it’s designed for people whose income has been reduced due to the pandemic. You also mentioned that you’re studying – have you looked into a study allowance?
In the meantime, don’t give up – you never know what could come up. It might not be your ideal role, but many supermarkets, call centres, delivery companies – and even Services Australia – are hiring right now.
I hope things get better for you. This is a tough time for a lot of us, and if you need someone to talk to, this page has a list of free resources (towards the bottom of the page) so you can just pick up the phone and talk to someone.
If we can help at all, feel free to reach out. Our online chat is open 24/7.
Stay well,
Joshua
My son is doing year 11 and was working part time this has now been stopped as the employee doesn’t need as many workers. As he is still employed just not working at this time is there any support we can get?
Hi Trudi,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder.
Sorry to hear about your son’s current situation.
Yes, he may qualify for the JobKeeper program for as long as he and his employer meet the eligibility criteria for the JobKeeper payment.
As an employee, he must be one of the following
-Australian citizens
-The holder of a permanent visa
-A Protected Special Category Visa Holder
-A Non-Protected Special Category Visa Holder (who has been in Australia for over 10 years)
-Or a Special Category (Subclass 444) Visa Holder
His employer must be one of the following
-Companies
-Partnerships
-Trusts
-Sole Traders
-Self-employed (see more details below)
-Not-for-profit entities, including charities
I hope this helps. Stay safe.
Best regards,
Resty
My work has asked me to take annual leave 1 day a week for the next couple of months. Even though I will still be paid my full pay, because I have to use up my annual leave, is this still considered a 20% reduction of my working hours?
Hi Esther,
I hope all is well with you. I understand you would like to know if annual leaves are considered reduction of your working hours.
Technically, your working hours have not been reduced since you are using your paid annual leave and full wages.
Moreover, while the criteria for Jobseeker payments has been expanded, not everyone is automatically eligible including all other available welfare payments. This includes:
-Anyone with a partner earning more than $79,762/year
-Workers receiving employer entitlements such as sick leave, annual leave or redundancy packages
-People claiming income protection insurance
-Anyone whose income still exceeds the threshold for their circumstance.
I hope this helps.
Cheers,
Joyce
My son was at TAFE doing a Mechanical Fitter Pre-Apprentership Course which his father paid for him to do. He has never been entitled to anything. He was working at a retail store casual then his hours were cut when all this happened but they have now called him back in one day a week to do stocktakes etc. I think he said when he went in work last week he will be getting the $1500.00 per fortnight regardless of the hours he works. He is 20. Currently, TAFE is closed so I don’t know where he stands.
Hi Wendy,
Thanks for enquiring and for reaching out to Finder.
I truly understand your concern about your son’s situation. If such agreement has been discussed by the host employer with TAFE, hygiene practices and social distancing must still be practiced in accordance with the most current health advice.
Should his employer be eligible for the JobKeeper Payment program, he may still receive the wage subsidy as long as he also meets the eligibility criteria for employees. For complete details of the requirements he has to meet, please visit this government page.
I hope this helps. Stay safe.
Best regards,
Kay
I’m a casual worker I used to work more than 50 hours a fortnight but now I have been told that I might work only 20 hours a fortnight. I am eligible for JobKeeper payment since I have work as a casual for more than 1 year even if the company is not eligible as they have not lost 30% of their income? Would I be able to apply for JobSeeker payment?
Hi Tine,
Thanks for enquiring and for reaching out to Finder.
I understand the situation you are in right now. Should a business will not be able to meet the turnover test at the start of the JobKeeper scheme (30 March 2020), it can start receiving the JobKeeper Payment at a later time as soon as the turnover test has been met. Please note that it also means that it is not going to be backdated to the commencement of the scheme. Businesses may receive JobKeeper Payments up to 27 September 2020. However, you and your employer must also meet the other eligibility criteria for you to receive the wage subsidy. For complete details of its eligibility requirements, you may go to this government page.
In regard to your question on your eligibility for the JobSeeker payment program, you may be qualified as long as you meet its eligibility criteria too. You may check them out here. However, note that you can’t be paid both JobSeeker and JobKeeper payments.
I hope this helps. Stay safe.
Warm regards,
Judith
My wife is 76 and on a pensioner concession. She worked as a Casual for a large Company for 2 months , but worked as a casual for a Franchisee for the same company for more than 12 months. The changeover happened 2 months ago. Is she eligible for any assistance? I am 78 and cannot work.
Hi Bill,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
It may be possible for your wife to still get JobKeeper payments if she could reach out to the Franchisee who had her for 12 mos to include her in the application for Jobkeeper payments with the ATO. If that is not possible. She may check with her current company on what her tenure is in their books as this may help her in being added to the application of the employer. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Hi, I am just curious I am 17-years-old and I have been a casual employee at a restaurant for almost 2 years now. However, I am not financially independent and still live at home. The business I work for has applied for the JobKeeper payments. Would I be eligible to receive these payments?
Hi Shadae,
Thanks for enquiring and for reaching out to Finder.
I understand where you are coming from. Should your employer be eligible for the JobKeeper Payment program, you may receive the wage subsidy as long as you also meet the eligibility criteria for employees. For complete details of the requirements you have to meet, you may go to this government page.
I hope this helps you. Stay safe.
All the best,
Judith
I was wanting to know if my grandchildren aged 16&17 years old who both still attend school but had partime jobs and were both stood down because of the Coronavirus are entitled to any form of payment. They both live at home with their mother who is currently unemployed and on Newstart. Thank You.
Hi Wendy,
Thank you for reaching out to Finder.
Since you mentioned that your grandchildren are aged 16 & 17 and have worked part time. They may qualify for the Jobkeeper payment scheme provided by the government. Though this needs to be initiated first by the employer. Please click this link to learn more about this program. Hope this helps!
Cheers,
Reggie
Hi Elma
Thanks for reply.
Further reply of my follow up question- With my current unemployment situation- how can i get JobSeeker payment? as i am not eligible for JobKeeper Payment.
please help
thanks
Hi Jass,
Thanks for reaching out to Finder and sorry for the delay.
Hope you’ve already submitted a claim successfully for the JobSeeker before this message! But if you haven’t yet, the following eligibility criteria must be met to be able to qualify:
– You’re between 22 and Age Pension age
– You meet residence rules
– Your income and assets are under the test limits.
You also need to meet rules for either of these situations:
– You meet Services Australia’s definition of unemployed and you’re looking for work.
– You’re sick or injured and are unable to do your usual work or study for a short time.
There’s a comprehensive guide on this page that you may find useful. If you like to submit a claim, the step-by-step guide is outlined here.
Hope this has helped. Stay safe!
Best,
May