Introduction

Applications for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme closed after 11.59pm on 10 October 2023.

The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme provided financial assistance from 28 April 2020 to businesses (including self-employed people) who were required to self-isolate due to COVID-19 public health restrictions.

From 12.01am 15 August 2023 the public health guidelines no longer required mandatory self-isolation due to COVID-19. The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme ended from 12.01am, 15 August 2023.

Businesses (or self-employed people) must have applied for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme within 8-weeks of the last day of their mandatory COVID-19 self-isolation that began before 12.01am on 15 August 2023. The last day applications could be accepted was 10 October 2023 (inclusive).

The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme provided financial assistance to businesses (including self-employed people) during the COVID-19 public health restrictions to:

• encourage employees to self-isolate (stay at home) when they needed to in line with public health guidelines and
• support employees unable to work from home, with an income while they could not work

The COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme replaced the COVID-19 Essential Workers Leave Support Scheme and supported all businesses and employees who met the eligibility criteria and complied with their obligations at all settings under the COVID-19 Protection Framework and existing public health measures.

Businesses must have applied online. Payments were made as a lump sum to eligible businesses for each named employee (including self-employed people) who was self-isolating for at least 4 consecutive days, in line with public health guidance or as advised by a medical practitioner.

Applications for the COVID-19 Leave Support Scheme for employees whose self-isolation period ended after 14 March 2022 must have been made within 8-weeks.