Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws

We’re here to help you understand your rights and responsibilities at work during the impact of coronavirus.

We encourage employees and employers to work together to find solutions that suit their individual workplaces and circumstances.

Click the links below for more information about your rights and responsibilities.

Check our News and updates section to see what's been updated recently.

Returning to work & the workplace

Pay & leave during coronavirus

JobKeeper scheme

Temporary changes to workplace laws

Health & safety in the workplace

Alternative working arrangements

Stand downs

Ending employment & redundancy

Other government information & assistance

Help in your language during coronavirus

In this section, you’ll find: Help in your language during coronavirus

News and updates 21 September 2020 Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment available to some WA and NSW workers The Australian Government has extended the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment to include eligible workers who live in New South Wales and Western Australia. People who live in New South Wales and Western Australia are now eligible for the Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment if they can’t work because of reasons relating to coronavirus and meet other criteria. For more information about the payment and how to claim it, visit Pandemic Leave Disaster Payment on Services Australia's website. 16 September 2020 Extension of JobKeeper provisions in the Fair Work Act We’ve added new pages about legacy employers under the extended JobKeeper scheme. Some employers who don’t qualify for JobKeeper payments anymore can continue to use some of the flexibility JobKeeper provisions in the Fair Work Act (with some changes). See: Legacy employers – information on eligibility and meeting the 10% decline in turnover test

Information for eligible financial service providers – guidance on the decline in turnover test and providing a decline in turnover certificate

JobKeeper enabling directions and agreements for legacy employers – information about how to use some of the extended JobKeeper provisions. We've also created a 10% decline in turnover template certificate for legacy employers, with other template documents being published soon. We encourage you to check back regularly for updates. You can also subscribe to email updates and we’ll let you know when we’ve updated all of our information. 14 September 2020 Financial support announced for Victorian businesses On 13 September 2020, the Victorian Government announced financial support for Victorian businesses affected by coronavirus. The financial support includes cash grants, deferral of some payroll taxes and waivers for some business fees. Find out more at the Victorian Government – Business Victoria website . You can learn more about your workplace rights and obligations if you’ve been affected by restrictions in Victoria at Information for Victorian workplaces. Previous news and updates To view a list of previous updates to our website, go to our Previous news and updates page.

About our information

We'll continue to update the information on our website as the situation develops and as needed. The information provided is current as at the time of the last update. It is not legal advice but represents the views of the Fair Work Ombudsman based on the best available information. We encourage you to regularly check this page for more information.