The JobSeeker Coronavirus Supplement has been extended into 2021, throwing another temporary lifeline to Australians, including many in the Douglas Shire, out of work due to COVID-19, however, it will be at a reduced rate.

The supplement, which was added to the JobSeeker payment (formally Newstart) at the beginning of the pandemic, had been due to expire at the end of the year; however, today’s changes will see it extended until the end of March 2021, in line with JobKeeper.

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From January, the existing $250 fortnightly supplement will drop to a rate of $150 per fortnight, meaning for a single person without any dependants the rate would drop from the total fortnightly payment of $815 to $715.70.

The coronavirus supplement is also paid to people on other income support payments such as parenting payments, Youth Allowance and Farm Household Allowance, partner allowance, widow allowance, Austudy, and ABSTUDY living allowance.

In a press conference on Tuesday, Prime Minister Scott Morrison said the legislation would be introduced into parliament later this week.

"We will be extending that supplement for three months after the end of December, we will be changing the rate of that supplement down to $150 for that period, out to the end of three months," he said.

"Today's announcement, to gear through changes to the JobSeeker payment as we are doing at the same time with JobKeeper, will see more and more businesses and Australians graduate from the economic supports that were so essential over these many months," Mr Morrison said.

For those whose partners are earning up to $80,000 per year, they will still be able to access the payment.

Mr Morrison said the scheme would cost taxpayers around $3.2 billion over a three-month period.

In regard to lowering the supplement payment, The Prime Minister said “we cannot allow the lifeline that has been extended to also now hold Australia back as we move into the next phases of recovery.

“Those cushioning the blow supports were not only important to those individuals, but they bought Australia time, they bought the states and territories time, as states have had to close down their economies.”

“Jobs are returning, job advertisements have doubled since May, on the most recent figures in October.

“We know that employers are looking for people to come back and we need to ensure that we have the right settings in place to support that.”