Disability Worker COVID-19 Leave Grant

Overview

The Australian Government is inviting applications from NDIS providers, via a demand driven process, to apply for reimbursement to cover payments to staff who deliver close personal support, are unable to attend work due to a COVID-19 infection and have insufficient or no sick leave. Registered and unregistered NDIS providers, including sole traders, are able to apply. Applications will be considered in the following submission periods: submission period 1 is open 11 August to 7 September 2023 for hours lost between 1 April 2023 and 30 June 2023 submission period 2 is open 3 October 2023 to 6 November 2023 for hours lost between 1 July 2023 and 30 September 2023 submission period 3 is open 18 December 2023 to 30 January 2024 for hours lost between 1 October 2023 and 31 December 2023. This grant recognises that people with disability may be at risk of severe COVID-19 and the inherent risks in providing support for people with disability in high risk settings, including disability accommodation settings or in the homes of participants at higher risk. The employee will be required to complete the Employee Disability Worker COVID-19 Leave Eligibility Declaration form and provide it to the employer, for the department to reimburse the employer up to a defined limit per worker every 3 months. Providers are encouraged to continue to pay permanent and casual staff for the total hours lost, even where this exceeds the reimbursement amount, where they are unable to attend work due to COVID-19 infection. The payment to the employee must be equal to or more than the reimbursement amount, regardless of whether this amount is greater than the total amount they would have been paid for the period of leave.