National Statement of Expectations on COVID-19 Management in Aged Care Settings
The National Statement Of Expectations On COVID-19 Management In Aged Care Settings outlines Government expectations for both residential and in home services for regular testing of staff and visitors. It emphasises early and regular testing, so infections are detected quickly and measures implemented.
Testing and public health advice
People living in aged care homes are amongst the most vulnerable people in our communities. Under the Aged Care Quality Standards, aged care providers are responsible for minimising infection related risks in each home.
It is important that aged care providers continue to follow current Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) guidelines and advice to manage the risk of COVID-19 exposure. Using COVID-19 RAT kits to screen aged care residents, staff and visitors for COVID-19 is part of a range of risk management options that residential aged care homes can use.
Each state and territory government sets the public health recommendations for high-risk settings such as aged care homes. For the latest information on public health recommendations, please visit your state or territory health website:
- Australian Capital Territory
- New South Wales
- Northern Territory
- Queensland
- South Australia
- Tasmania
- Victoria
- Western Australia.
Frequency of RAT use
Public health directions and recommendations change regularly in each state. Providers should regularly check the requirements in their location and include this in their assessment of infection control risks.
It is recommended that surveillance screening of staff and visitors should occur at least 2 times per week and not more than 72 hours apart for staff or on entry for each visitor. During an outbreak, it is recommended this increases to daily testing of staff and visitors.
Rapid Antigen Tests kits – continuing supply for residential aged care homes
The Australian Government is continuing to supply a regular weekly deployment of RAT kits to residential aged care homes through the National Medical Stockpile for surveillance screening purposes.
After 1 January 2023, facilities will receive a set volume RAT kits for surveillance screening purposes, with no additional allocation supplied during an outbreak.
Having effective surveillance testing in place will let you detect COVID-19 much earlier and enact a swifter response
This regular weekly deployment should form part of the recommended surveillance screening of at least 2 times per week and not more than 72 hours apart for staff or on entry for each visitor. During an outbreak, it is recommended this increase to daily testing of staff and visitors.
Aged care providers can email AgedCareCOVIDEnquiries@health.gov.au to request removal from the dispatch list.
Visitors can use their own RAT kits prior to their visit and may be asked to provide evidence of their test result.
It is inappropriate for homes to charge for the use of RAT kits provided by the Australian Government through the National Medical Stockpile.
Support for managing COVID-19 related costs
Residential aged care providers that have purchased RAT kits at their own expense to undertake RAT screening of visitors and staff may apply for reimbursement of this expense via the COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension Grant (GO4863), should these expenses otherwise meet the eligibility criteria.
Home Care Package providers who have been directly impacted by COVID-19 may be eligible to apply for the COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Extension Grant (GO4863) to help with the cost of purchasing RAT kits.
See the Grant Opportunity Guidelines published on GrantConnect for more information.
More information
The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) regulates the supply and use of RAT kits in Australia and has the following resources available:
- Questions and answers on supply and use of rapid antigen testing
- List of COVID-19 test kits (including rapid antigen testing devices) that can be legally supplied in Australia
- COVID-19 Rapid Antigen Tests - Guidance and checklist for businesses
Please direct RAT regulation enquiries to COVIDtests@TGA.gov.au.
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