The Australian Government has announced a $114 million assistance package for people, businesses and equine organisations facing additional costs and significant hardship, as a direct result of the Equine Influenza quarantine and the movement restrictions currently in place.
Components of the Government's comprehensive Equine Influenza assistance package include:
- Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment
- Equine Influenza Business Assistance Grants
- Community Horse Assistance Payments
- Grants for non-government, not-for-profit equestrian organisations, and
- Equine Influenza Hardship Fund.
Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment
FaCSIA is administering the Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment.
The Equine Workers Hardship Wage Supplement Payment will directly assist workers involved in commercial horse industries who have lost their job or most of their income, and sole-traders whose incomes have effectively ceased as a direct result of the Equine Influenza quarantine and movement restrictions.
Eligible applicants will receive the equivalent of the Newstart Allowance rates - for a single, couple, or single with dependent child(ren) - for up to 12 weeks.
People interested in applying can contact the Australian Government Equine Influenza Hotline on 1800 234 002.
More Information
Information about the other assistance measures can be found at the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry's specific website established for this issue - National pests & disease outbreaks website
Information is also available at the: