Western Australians can now apply for the McGowan Government's $320 Test Isolation Payment if they are required to isolate while awaiting a COVID-19 PCR test result and lose income as a result.
The COVID-19 Test Isolation Payment is part of WA's updated Safe Transition Plan and applies to anyone who has had a PCR test since December 23, 2021.
The payment is for eligible workers living in WA, aged 17 years and over, who are unable to undertake paid work during the isolation period and do not have access to paid leave or other income.
The payment is also available to eligible parents, guardians and carers who have lost income because their child, or someone they care for, has been directed to isolate while awaiting a COVID-19 PCR test result.
Applicants have three weeks from the date of the COVID-19 PCR test to apply for the payment.
Payment eligibility will be backdated to December 23, 2021 to cover those Western Australians who needed to get tested and isolate while awaiting a PCR test result because of the Delta backpacker cluster.
People tested between December 23, 2021 and February 4, 2022 will have until February 26, 2022 to apply for the payment.
If you receive the Test Isolation Payment while you are awaiting a PCR test result, you may also be eligible for the Australian Government's Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment for the additional time you are required to quarantine after you receive your result.
Full details on eligibility for the Test Isolation Payment, and how to apply, can be found at www.wa.gov.au
As stated by Premier Mark McGowan:
"It's important that workers are not disincentivised from getting tested or properly isolating in order to slow the spread of the virus.
"My Government's $320 Test Isolation Payment recognises that not everyone can work from home or has access to leave - this includes self-employed people, casual workers, full-time and part-time permanent employees.
"This supports those doing the right thing by staying home and helping to keep the community safe.
"Importantly, it's also available to parents, guardians and carers who lose income because they are required to isolate along with someone they care for who is awaiting a PCR test result."
