In response to COVID-19, the Morrison Government has implemented a major stimulus package and waived the wait period to access existing sickness benefits.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announce that the government will be releasing $1.3 billion in support payments to keep apprentices employed. The package aims to keep small businesses open by subsidising approximately fifty percent of apprentice wages.
The eligibility of casual employees and independent contractors to access the sickness allowance (to be renamed the jobseeker payment) will be based on means-testing, with singles without children receiving benefits of $560 and couples out of work due to illness receiving $1,010.