Emergency approval applications from residential care providers offering residential respite during bushfire emergencies

The department advises residential care providers that where a residential aged care facility is operating as an approved provider and taking people into aged care respite, the provider can apply for emergency approval under Section 22-5(2) of the Aged Care Act 1997.

Date published:
Type:
Subscriber announcement
Audience:
Health sector

The department advises residential care providers that where a residential aged care facility is operating as an approved provider and taking people into aged care respite, the provider can apply for emergency approval under Section 22-5(2) of the Aged Care Act 1997. As per current requirements, the provider will need to submit an Application for Care form to their local ACAT within five business days after the day on which the care started.

The department appreciates that service providers may currently face delays in submitting these applications due to experiencing bush fire related constraints. The department reassures providers that where they are unable to submit the Application for Care form to their local ACAT within five business days, the provider can, as soon as practicable, apply for an extension (as required under Section 22-5(3) of the Act) with the reason for the delay (ie bush fire related emergency ) advised to the ACAT at the time of requesting the extension. The Application for Care form can be submitted at the same time. The department will advise ACATs to expect some delayed emergency approval applications.

It is important to note that payment to the service provider is contingent on the ACAT, through an assessment related engagement with the person, determining that the person is eligible for the type of care being provided and that the person urgently needed the care at the time the care started and it was not practical to apply beforehand.

If service providers need help finding vacancies or resources to manage an emergency, please call the Australian Government Department of Health on the number for your relevant state. These numbers are monitored at all times.

Aged care state and territory emergency contacts

Aged care service providers can call the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care 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.
Victoria / Tasmania
New South Wales / Australian Capital Territory
South Australia
Queensland
Western Australia
Northern Territory