The department would like to remind residential aged care providers that emergency leave is available until 30 June 2022. Whilst this was initially put in place for the COVID-19 pandemic, it can also be used for the current flood emergency in NSW and QLD.
Permanent aged care residents who would like to temporarily relocate to stay with family during the floods (and in the clean-up period afterwards) can take emergency leave, rather than using and potentially exhausting their social leave entitlements. Aged care homes will continue to be paid residential care subsidy when residents are on emergency leave. Residents must continue to pay their normal fees.
Further information on emergency leave is available in a fact sheet for residents and a fact sheet for providers.