Weekly webinar on aged care and COVID-19
The next session will be held on Wednesday 17 August 2022, 3pm - 4pm (AEST).
This session will include current advice on workforce planning, including COVID-19 and broader workforce measures, visitation, partnerships in care and GP access, including through HealthDirect.
Please register to attend.
There will be a moderated Q&A session with the Departmental officials and we encourage you to submit questions in advance through the registration link.
More information
To find more information please visit our website or email us if you have any questions:
Useful links for the sector from last weeks' meeting:
- The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) Post-market review of antigen and rapid antigen tests
- Disinfectants for use against COVID-19 in the ARTG for legal supply in Australia
Relevant State or Territory Health Department guidance on testing requirements:
- ACT State Health Department
- NSW State Health Department
- SA State Health Department
- Victoria State Health Department
- QLD State Health Department
- WA State Health Department
- NT State Health Department
Grief and trauma support for the aged care sector
The COVID-19 pandemic has placed extreme pressure on the care and support sector.
For aged care workers, fatigue, high workloads, stress and burnout, as well feelings of loss and grief, have left many struggling.
Worry and stress related to the pandemic might have affected your mental health, wellbeing, sleeping and eating patterns, and/or your ability to cope with day-to-day living.
If you or someone around you is struggling, government-funded support services are available. Find out about the aged care COVID-19 grief and trauma support services.
These services are free, private and confidential and are offered in addition to any Employee Assistance Program (EAP) you might have access to.
Emergency Leave – new claim type
Emergency leave was introduced in 2020 and can only be used in emergency situations, as declared by the Department of Health and Aged Care. Providers continue to be paid residential care subsidy for those residents on emergency leave.
Until now, the social leave event type has been used to claim emergency leave.
A new emergency leave claiming type will become available in the Aged Care Provider Portal when the new Aged Care Payment System is upgraded on 20 August 2022. After this date, the social leave event type will no longer be able to be used for claiming emergency leave.
For queries on claiming for emergency leave please contact Services Australia on 1800 195 206 or email: aged.care.liaison@servicesaustralia.gov.au
For more information on the COVID-19 emergency leave provision see the updated fact sheet: COVID-19 Information for residential aged care providers – emergency leave.