Aged care services during bushfire season
Advice for aged care providers and people receiving aged care services before and during a bushfire emergency.
In an emergency, call 000 or the local emergency services
Advice for people receiving aged care services
If you are concerned about bushfires affecting aged care services, talk to your provider in the first instance.
If you cannot make contact with the provider or have other questions, contact My Aged Care.
My Aged Care
Visit the My Aged Care website to find information about and access to Australian Government–funded aged care services. If you have questions, you can call from Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm.
Disaster payment
Services Australia has set up support for people directly affected by bushfires in disaster declared areas. Find out more about disaster payments.
Advice for providers of aged care services
Providers have an important role to ensure quality of care continues for their care recipients during an emergency. Providers can do this by being well prepared for any events that might impact services.
This is a requirement under the Aged Care Act 1997, or your grant or aged care funding agreement.
Read about how to prepare for and handle emergency events in aged care settings.
Announcements for aged care providers in fire-affected areas
- Home care providers in affected bushfire areas
- Emergency approval applications from residential aged care providers offering residential respite during bushfire emergencies
- Preparation for dangerous fire conditions
Contact during an emergency
Aged care state and territory emergency contacts
Aged care service providers can call the Australian Government Department of Health in their state or territory if they need help to find vacancies or resources to manage an emergency. These numbers are monitored at all times.