COVID-19 and the law

Get the latest information about coronavirus

The internet is full of material about COVID-19 (coronavirus), but finding the most accurate and current information is a challenge, especially when COVID-19 can impact many different legal areas. Learn more about where to find the best information specific to your legal needs.

Employment rights

COVID-19 may have affected your employment if it caused:

• Termination of your employment
• Reduction of your work hours
• Stand down
• Redundancy

Find out about your rights, how to access JobKeeper payments and other forms of Government support, as well as unfair dismissal advice.

For more information, visit:

• Our Employment rights page
• Jobwatch – employment rights legal advice

Victoria Legal Aid – COVID-19 employment law information

Housing and tenancy

The Victorian Government has introduced special emergency laws to protect renters during the coronavirus pandemic, for example, rent relief, a freeze on rent increases, banning evictions for falling behind in rent, relaxed break-lease rules, and a ban on blacklisting.

For more information, visit:

• Our Housing and tenancy page
• Tenants Victoria – detailed information about tenants’ rights
• Victoria Legal Aid – for general tenancy information
• Consumer Affairs Victoria – for renting rules and support
• Justice Connect – Dear Landlord – Self-help tools and resources for Victorian renters
• Anika Legal – sample letters and tenancy advice online

Family law

COVID-19 has created additional complications for many separated families, especially those with parenting arrangements or Parenting Orders. It’s essential to understand how COVID-19 affects your obligations, and your children’s rights to spend time with both parents.

For more information, visit:

• Our Parenting arrangements page
• Northern Community Legal Centre – parenting arrangements and COVID-19
• Victoria Legal Aid – information about parenting issues
• Family Court of Australia – answers to specific questions

Family violence

If the COVID-19 restrictions have put you and your children at increased risk of family violence, you need urgent access to information about what steps to take to protect your family.

For more information, visit:

• Our Family violence intervention orders page
• Victoria Legal Aid – family violence and COVID-19 information
• Victoria Government – family violence support during COVID-19
• Sexaul Assault and Family Violence Centre – family violence during COVID-19: support and Information for the Barwon Region

Fines and infringements

If you have received an infringement notice for breaching COVID-19 restrictions, your circumstances may cause difficulties in paying the fine. You should seek information and advice about what to do, and your legal rights.

For more information, visit:

• Our Fines and infringements page
• Victoria Legal Aid – information about COVID-19 and fines
• Fitzroy Legal Service – self-help kit for COVID-19 fines
• COVID Policing – report interactions with police during COVID-19
• Police Accountability Project – Police complaints links and resources

Centrelink

You may have lost your job because of coronavirus, or perhaps your employer reduced your work hours. Maybe you’re struggling to find work, or you need to understand more about Government payments and services. In all these circumstances, you will need information about how Centrelink can help you. 

For more information, visit:

• Our Centrelink page
• Services Australia – payments and services during coronavirus
• Economic Justice Australia – information about COVID-19 and JobSeeker payments
• Victoria Legal Aid – Centrelink information