On 22 July 2020, the peak bodies distributed the Guiding rinciples for residential aged care – keeping Victorian residents and workers safe.
The principles aim to minimise the potential risk of workers unintentionally transmitting COVID-19 by working across multiple sites by:
- supporting age care workers in Melbourne Metro and Mitchell Shire to work with a single residential aged care facility during this high-risk pandemic period
- ensuring workers are supported, paid their usual income, not disadvantaged and have choice over their place of employment.
Initially, the principles only apply to Melbourne Metro and Mitchell Shire, but may be adopted across the rest of Victoria, and other states and territories as needed.
The changes will initially be in place for a fixed term of 8 weeks, from Monday 27 July until 25 September 2020, and may be extended if required. Employers should aim to implement roster changes from Monday 27 July 2020.
These principles have been developed by industry leaders with input from government, peak bodies and unions.
To assist providers in the implementation of the principles, a support hub is being established by the peak bodies (ACSA, LASA and the Aged Care Guild) to provide access to practical resources and will be open to all providers in the sector.
The Australian Government has also announced funding will be made available to assist residential aged care providers in reimbursing workers for any potential lost entitlements due to working at a single site. More information about the additional financial support will provided in the near future.