Single site workforce arrangements and funding support for central New South Wales
Given the current number of COVID-19 cases in central NSW and following the declaration of a COVID-19 hotspot by the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly to include the Orange City Council, Blayney Shire Council and Cabonne Shire Council, workers at residential aged care facilities in impacted areas are asked to limit their work to a single facility to reduce the risk of transmission and protect workers and residents.
Australian Government grant funding is now available to support implementation of these arrangements in the central NSW areas during an initial two week period, from 21 July to 4 August 2021.
Based on advice from the Commonwealth Chief Medical Officer, and in line with advice from the NSW Government, these arrangements are limited to residential aged care providers in central NSW (as defined online). This may be expanded if required.
Providers in these areas are asked to adjust their rosters and ensure staff are only working at one residential aged care facility within this region during this time. Workers are encouraged to speak with their primary employer and look to work all shifts during this period with the residential aged care provider where they were working the most hours prior to the outbreak. To the greatest extent possible, the employer should seek to match any hours no longer being worked with a secondary employer to ensure the worker is not financially disadvantaged. It is important workers also retain the security of any secondary employment.
Facilities should also be prepared a line listing of all staff and residents, including date of birth and vaccination status in the event this is required in an outbreak scenario. Ensuring adequate staff members are suitably trained in administrative processes, including rostering and cohorting staff, is also essential.
In addition to funding support, providers can also access guidance on practical implementation of single site arrangements, including employee relations expertise, through the Guiding Principles Support Hub website or hotline on 1800 491 793
Where these arrangements result in additional workforce expenses, providers are able to seek reimbursement from the Australian Government through the Support for Aged Care Workers in COVID-19 (SACWIC) Grant. The SACWIC grant opportunity remains open until 31 December 2021.
Single site funding support remains for Victoria Greater Sydney, NSW areas as announced on 16 July 2021 and South Australia as announced on 21 July 2021.