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COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease)

Information about COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease), including testing, vaccinations, travel, and other restrictions.

  • This topic covers

    This topic covers

    • What is COVID-19? 
    • COVID-19 vaccines
    • COVID-19 No Fault Vaccine Claim Scheme
    • Self-isolation
    • Rapid Antigen Tests
    • Face masks
    • Family and parenting
    • Business and services
    • Employment rights
    • Support payments
    • Information for employers and businesses
    • Tenancy 
    • Scams
    • Financial rights
    • Court and tribunal matters
    • Information for prisoners
    • COVID-19 fines
    • Complaints

Time limitAction
Public health orders
Due date

If you received a fine for breaching a public health order, you must:

  • pay the fine 
  • ask for a review, or 
  • ask for the matter to be decided by the Local Court.   
28 days

If you have been served with a fine reminder notice, you must:

  • pay the fine reminder notice (either in part payments or in full) 
  • ask for a review, or 
  • ask for the matter to be decided by the Local Court.
28 days

If you have been served with an overdue fine notice, you must pay the amount on the order.

If you don't, Revenue NSW will take enforcement action again you, for example, suspending your driver licence or vehicle registration.

Discrimination
12 monthsTo complain to Anti-Discrimination NSW after an incident of discrimination.
Six monthsTo complain to the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC) after an incident of discrimination.
60 daysTo apply to the Federal Court of Australia or Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia after the AHRC issues a complaint termination notice. 
Consumers
Three yearsTo apply to the NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT) from when the cause of action occurred (event you are complaining about).
Six yearsTo make a civil claim in the Local Court of NSW.

Legislation

AuthorityCovers
Public Health Act 2010

Gives the Minister for Health the power to make public health orders.

There are currently no active Public Health Orders in NSW.

Organisations

OrganisationResponsibilities
Consumer and Commercial Division NSW Civil and Administrative Tribunal (NCAT)Determines consumer disputes, including cancellations and refunds due to COVID-19.
Fair Work CommissionDetermines some employment law disputes, including general protections and termination.
Local Court of NSW

The offence of failing to comply with public health orders can be dealt with by a fine, or in the Local Court. 

The Court determines any cases where a person has elected to take their quarantine fees to court. 

Local Court of NSW

Federal Circuit and Family Court of Australia

Determines applications for parenting orders, including Recovery Orders and orders relating to relocation or travel.

Common ​​termDefinition
​Contraindication​A condition that prevents a person from having certain medical treatment because it may be harmful to them.
​Fitted face covering
​A face mask or other covering that fits securely around your face and is designed to be worn over your nose and mouth to provide you with protection against infection. 
​Household
​People living together in the same place of residence.
​Isolation

​Isolation means you should stay separate from all other people, including your household. You should stay home until your acute symptoms have gone. Isolation is recommended when you have COVID-19. 

If you must leave home, you should wear a face mask when indoors or on public transport.

​Public health order 
​An order made by the Minister for Health if the Minister considers on reasonable grounds that there is, or is likely to be, a situation that is a risk to public health. 
Public health orders are enforceable directions from the government and you can be fined or charged if you do not follow them.
​Social distancing​Social distancing, also called physical distancing, means that you:
  • keep at least 1.5 metres away from other people when possible
  • avoid physical greetings like hugging and shaking hands
  • are careful to avoid contact on public transport
  • avoid crowds and large public gatherings
  • have good hygiene
  • stay at home and away from others if you have any cold or flu symptoms, get medical advice and get tested for COVID-19.
Woman working on computer

Frequently Asked Questions

Frequently Asked Questions about ​COVID-19 (Coronavirus disease).

Go to questions

Our services

Work and Development Order Service

A specialist service that provides free legal advice for people with unpaid fines about internal reviews, payment plans, license suspensions, write-off applications and WDO placements.

More services

Anti-Discrimination NSW

Anti-Discrimination NSW hears complaints about unlawful discrimination. Call on 1800 670 812 Monday to Friday between 9am and 4pm.

Aus Human Rights Commission

Australian Human Rights Commission hears complaints about unlawful discrimination and human rights breaches. Call on 1300 369 711 Monday to Friday between 9am to 5pm.

Community Legal Centres NSW

Community legal centres give free and confidential legal help to people in need.

Fair Work Commission

Fair Work Commission deals with disputes in the workplace. Call on 1300 799 675 between 9 am and 5 pm (local time), Monday to Friday.

NSW Fair Trading

NSW Fair Trading helps consumers to resolve disputes with a business, trader, landlord or tenant. Call on 13 32 20 between 8.30am and 5pm Monday to Friday.

Redfern Legal Centre

RLC provides free, confidential legal advice and casework regarding health, education, employment, housing, police and government accountability, consumer law, and discrimination.

Revenue NSW

Call Revenue NSW to discuss your fine on 1300 138 118 or 1300 655 805 for an overdue fine.

Solicitor Referral Service

If you need legal help and are looking for a law firm, the Law Society of NSW Solicitor Referral Service (SRS) can provide you with a referral.

Tenants’ Union of NSW

The Tenants’ Union of NSW provides high quality legal advice, assistance, and information to tenants, land lease community residents, Tenant Advocates, and community workers.

Other resources

Last updated: December 2023