Former Labor MP Craig Thomson has been charged over the attempted fraud of COVID payments.

Police allege the 57-year-old made fraudulent applications for the Small Business COVID-19 support grant and the COVID-19 Small Business Hardship grant, totalling $25,000.

He also allegedly submitted a fraudulent application for JobSaver payments of $3000 a fortnight.

Police say the former union leader allegedly fraudulently signed and submitted a document to obtaining a reduction in rent.

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Image: Getty/Robert Cianflone