After an accelerated national cabinet meeting on Saturday, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said continued payment was appropriate as the number of cases rises across the country.
“I want to make sure that people are not left behind, that vulnerable people are taken care of and that no one is given the unenviable choice of not properly isolating themselves without losing income,” he told reporters in Sydney.
The emergency benefits for people who are not on sick leave but who have to be in isolation because of COVID-19 will be reintroduced from July 20 and until September 30.
The scheme originally expired on June 30.
The Commonwealth will split the $780 million bill with states and territories, but the prime minister could not say whether the payments would be extended beyond Sept. 30.
Instead, he cited the $1 trillion debt his government had inherited.
“We need to address this (debt) and all state and territory governments understand that too,” Mr Albanese said.
“The truth is that we have real fiscal pressures and the measures taken were temporary measures.”
Mr Albanese also announced that a new telehealth program will start next week, allowing GPs to stay with patients longer to assess their suitability for COVID-19 antiviral treatments.
A national crisis payment for anyone with COVID-19 and in severe financial difficulties will also be reinstated through September 30.
The national cabinet was told cases across the country were expected to peak in August.
Mr Albanian also urged Australians to mask indoors, practice good respiratory hygiene and test and isolate when symptomatic.
“There will be less spread if people take more action — if more people wear masks, if more people get vaccinated,” he said.
Earlier this month, the government expanded eligibility for fourth vaccine doses to anyone 30 and older.
By Thursday, nearly 14 million people had received three or more shots, while nearly three million had received four or more.
Acting opposition leader Sussan Ley says Mr Albanian “owes his apologies to the tens of thousands of Australians who have experienced stress and uncertainty” as a result of the pandemic payments ending.
Greens leader Adam Bandt has urged Mr Albanese to renew them, as well as free RATs for concession card holders.
With data yet for the ACT, Australia had registered nearly 40,000 cases on Saturday, along with 77 deaths. There are currently more than 4,700 people in hospital.
LATEST 24-HOUR COVID-19 DATA:
NSW: 11,082 cases, 38 deaths, 2024 hospitalized with 66 in ICU
Victoria: 9,982 cases, eight deaths, 802 hospitalized with 34 in ICU
Tasmania: 1,662 cases, two deaths, 138 in hospital and five in ICU
Northern Territory: 424 cases, one death, 61 in hospital and two in ICU
Queensland: 5795 cases, 22 deaths, 921 in hospital and 14 in ICU
South Australia: 3,863 cases, three deaths, 287 in hospital and nine in intensive care
Western Australia: 6473 cases, three deaths, 351 hospitalized with 17 in ICU