The bonus will be paid in two instalments to care and support workers in home care and to direct care workers, food preparation workers and cleaners in residential care.
The instalments of up to $400 will each be payable to workers employed on 28 February and 28 April. The amount of the bonus will depend on whether the worker is working in home care or residential care and will be prorated based on the highest number of hours worked in a single week out of the four weeks leading up to those dates.
The rates are as follows (if a person qualifies for both instalments):
| Hours | Home Care | Residential Care |
|---|---|---|
|
3 – 15 |
$300 |
$400 |
|
16 – 30 |
$480 |
$640 |
|
> 31 |
$600 |
$800 |
Employers (aged care providers and agencies that provide relevant staff) will be able to apply from 1 March 2022 on behalf of eligible workers and will then pay the bonus to those workers. Employers are encouraged to pay the bonus at the time they lodge the application.
Workers may qualify for either one, or both, instalments. If a worker qualifies for only one instalment the amount will be half of that in the table above.
This is the fourth bonus paid in recognition of the significant commitment aged care workers have made to the care of senior Australians during the pandemic. It is also being provided as an incentive for those who are returning to the workforce to supplement the current staff during the current omicron wave.
Further information will be available on the Department’s website in coming days.