COVID-19 and being unable to work

Can I still get paid if I self-isolate?

If you become sick with COVID-19 and you have sick leave, your employer may have to pay you. You may need to give your employer proof that you are sick.

You can visit the Fair Work Ombudsman(opens in a new window) website to check what your enterprise agreement or modern award says about paid and unpaid leave.

You may have other options to get paid while you self-isolate. These include:

• taking paid annual leave or other paid leave (for example, long service leave), if your employer allows this
• applying for additional leave (often called special leave). Not all employers offer special leave, but some do, so it is worth checking

Can I work from home if I self-isolate?

If you are feeling well and able to work, you can ask your employer if you can work from home while you self-isolate. Whether this is possible depends on the type of work you do and your situation.

Can I use my sick leave if I am unable to work?

If you are sick and you are a permanent full-time or part-time employee, you can use your paid personal leave (sick leave). You may need to prove that you cannot work. For example, you may need to give your employer a medical certificate or statutory declaration

All full-time and part-time employees get at least 10 days of paid personal leave for each year they work for that employer. Personal leave can be used as sick leave or carer’s leave. Any part of your personal leave that you do not use accrues (rolls over) each year.

You may get more than 10 days of personal leave per year. Check your employment contract or visit the Fair Work Ombudsman(opens in a new window) website to check what your enterprise agreement or modern award says about personal leave.

Can I use my carer’s leave to care for someone else?

If you are a permanent full-time or part-time employee, you can use paid carer’s leave. You can use this leave to care for someone who is part of your immediate family or household. There may be other options for you to be paid if you do not have carer’s leave, such as using other paid leave or special leave.

What if I have to care for my children?

You may be able to request flexible working arrangements, such as changing the times you work.

You may be able to work from home while caring for children.

What are my rights as a casual worker?

Different laws apply to casual jobs. If you work as a casual, you are usually paid a higher hourly rate, but do not get the same rights and entitlements as full-time and part-time employees.

If you are a casual employee, you will not get paid personal leave (sick leave).

You can take two days of unpaid carer’s leave if you need to care for someone who is sick. You can use this leave if the person who is sick is part of your immediate family or household.. If you need more leave, it is up to your employer whether they agree.

In some cases, your employer might give you special paid leave if you self-isolate or if you get sick from the COVID-19 coronavirus. Ask your employer if special paid leave is available.

What if I am treated badly because I am sick or caring for someone?

Your employer must not discriminate against you (treat you badly) because:

• you are sick with the COVID-19 coronavirus
• you are caring for someone with COVID-19 coronavirus
• you have parenting or carer responsibilities.

For more information, see COVID-19 and discrimination at work.

More information

Learn where to Other support for COVID-19 coronavirus

Read our page on Employment

Fair Work Ombudsman Coronavirus and Australian workplace laws

Acknowledgement

We acknowledge and thank JobWatch for allowing us to use their COVID-19: Employment rights Q&A to prepare this information. We also thank JobWatch for reviewing this information and providing updates.