Victoria Sick Pay Guarantee for Casuals and Self-Employed Workers in Specified Occupations

The Victorian Government has implemented a Sick Pay Guarantee scheme for casual employees and self-employed workers in specified occupations. A list of eligible occupations are included in the Program Guidelines. The eligible occupations falls within the following job types:

• Aged and disability carers;
• Hospitality workers;
• Food preparation assistants;
• Food trades workers;
• Sales support workers;
• Sales assistants;
• Other labourers who work in supermarket supply chains;
• Cleaners and laundry workers; and
• Security officers and guards.

The Program Guidelines state that more eligible occupations will be added at a later date.

The scheme provides for up to five days a year of sick or carer’s pay at the National Minimum Wage (currently $20.33 per hour).

To be eligible for the Sick Pay Guarantee, a person must meet all of these criteria:

• Be 15 years of over.
• A casual employee or a self-employed worked with no other employees (such as a sole trader or an independent contractor).
• Not entitled to paid personal, sick or carer’s leave in any job.
• Work physically in Victoria.
• Have the right to work in Australia.
• Work in an eligible occupations.
• On average, work at least 7.6 hours per week in an eligible occupation(s).

Payments are made to eligible workers directly from the Victorian Government.

The scheme is Government-funded for a two-year trial period. When the proposed scheme was first announced, the Victorian Government indicated that a levy may be imposed on some businesses at the conclusion of the trial period to fund an ongoing scheme.

For further information on the Sick Pay Guarantee scheme, Ai Group Members can contact Ai Group’s Workplace Advice Line on 1300 55 66 77.