COVID-19 Update Recent Announcements

Additional information regarding the Australian Government’s COVID-19 measures and support packages is now available.

Updates from the Department of Education, Skills and Employment

The Department of Education, Skills and Employment has provided information about the following topics:

• The Higher Education Relief Package, which will support workers displaced by the pandemic to upskill or retrain, while also supporting universities and other providers of higher education to continue teaching

• The Early Childhood Education and Care Relief Package – Exceptional Circumstances Supplementary Payment, which is available to providers / services needing a ‘top up’ on the Early Childhood Education and Care Package payment in order to remain viable.

Telecommunications relief package

NBN Co will provide $150 million in financial relief to internet providers to assist families and businesses to stay connected through the agreement of telecommunication hardship principles.

• Telecommunications hardship principles for COVID-19

• $150 million NBN assistance for families and businesses

Aviation industry support

The Australian Government will support Qantas and Virgin Australia Groups to operate a minimum domestic network.

• Federal Government guarantees domestic aviation network

Support for regional and small publishers

The Australian Communications and Media Authority has brought forward the release of the 2020 round of the Regional and Small Publishers Innovation Fund. Applications will now open in late April.