New supports from 1 January 2024
From 1 January 2024, we will provide another 12 months’ support to help residential aged care providers manage COVID-19 outbreaks. The way support is provided will change as part of the national transition to living with COVID-19, now that it is no longer classified as a Communicable Disease of National Significance.
This ongoing support reflects the aged care sector’s increased capability and preparedness in responding to outbreaks, while recognising that we need to continue to protect our older people, who are most at risk.
Aged Care Outbreak Management Supplement
A new Aged Care Outbreak Management Supplement will replace the existing COVID-19 grants application process.
From 1 January 2024, we will contribute to the cost of meeting specific outbreak management costs.
Providers will receive around $940 contribution per resident per year to support outbreak management. There is no need to apply – all eligible providers will be paid the new supplement automatically:
- Residential aged care and Multi-Purpose Services (MPS) providers will be paid through normal monthly aged care payment processes.
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care (NATSIFAC) providers will be paid quarterly through existing grant arrangements.
This new approach will streamline payment arrangements, while moving to a more business-as-usual model for managing outbreaks.
Surge workforce program
The surge workforce program will continue in 2024 to help providers manage outbreaks and other emergencies and ensure high-quality care can continue.
This includes:
- supporting aged care homes impacted by an outbreak and experiencing critical workforce shortages
- continuing support for at-risk providers experiencing outbreaks or other emergencies especially for rural, remote and First Nations services
- time-limited support, that can be rapidly deployed to assist providers where resident safety is at risk and all other avenues for staffing have been exhausted.
Personal protective equipment
Supply of personal protective equipment (PPE) and rapid antigen test (RAT) kits will change:
- Automatic seasonal deployment of PPE packs will cease at the end of 2023.
- Between 1 January and 30 April 2024, providers can request to be sent PPE packs.
- We will continue to send RAT kits each week until 30 April 2024.
From 1 May 2024 providers will be expected to source PPE and RAT kits through commercial suppliers.
Infection prevention and control
Infection prevention and control (IPC) measures will continue and include:
- access to IPC resources and online training
- surveillance and monitoring activities
- research and evaluation into existing IPC processes, including the IPC Lead role.
We will provide more detail before the end of the year.
Current COVID-19 supports to 31 December 2023
The following COVID-19 supports are available for residential aged care providers until 31 December 2023.
Personal protective equipment
The 2023 summer supply of bulk PPE packs is being deployed to all residential aged care homes from the National Medical Stockpile (NMS).
PPE pack deliveries have started and will be completed by December 2023. This will be the last seasonal PPE bulk deployment from the NMS to aged care homes.
The NMS logistics provider is DHL. Each aged care home will be contacted directly by phone to confirm details and delivery arrangements.
You should confirm delivery arrangements within 2 business days of being contacted.
If you do not want this PPE supply, tell DHL when they call you.
If DHL doesn’t call you, contact us.
Provider responsibilities
The summer bulk PPE pack:
- is based on the number of residents in the home
- will contain a 3-day supply of PPE, but can be increased to a 2-week supply
- is not tailored to individual aged care homes
- will have stock expiry dates of 29 February 2024 at a minimum.
Residential aged care providers must ensure appropriate storage for the PPE packs is available in aged care homes.
It is the responsibility of aged care providers to maintain a standard PPE supply through existing commercial channels. Emergency and outbreak packs are available by request throughout the deployment process via the My Aged Care portal.
2023 summer PPE pack items
The 3-day PPE pack includes the following items.
|
3-day PPE pack |
Extra small |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Extra large |
|
Face shields |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,200 |
1,600 |
|
Gloves (L) |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
2,000 |
2,000 |
|
Gloves (M) |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
2000 |
2,000 |
|
Gloves (S) |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
|
Gloves (XL) |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
1,000 |
|
Gowns |
640 |
800 |
1,040 |
1,160 |
1,440 |
|
P2 N95 |
1,200 |
1,200 |
1,800 |
1,800 |
2,400 |
|
Surgical masks |
2,000 |
2,000 |
2,000 |
2,000 |
2,000 |
|
Estimated pallets |
2 |
2 |
3 |
3 |
4 |
The 2-week PPE pack includes the following items.
|
2-week PPE pack |
Extra small |
Small |
Medium |
Large |
Extra large |
|
Face shields |
3,200 |
3,200 |
3,500 |
4,300 |
50,00 |
|
Gloves (L) |
5,000 |
5,000 |
5,000 |
7,000 |
8,000 |
|
Gloves (M) |
6,000 |
6,000 |
6,000 |
8,000 |
10,000 |
|
Gloves (S) |
3,000 |
3,000 |
3,000 |
5,000 |
5,000 |
|
Gloves (XL) |
2,000 |
2,000 |
2,000 |
2,000 |
2,000 |
|
Gowns |
2,900 |
3,700 |
4,700 |
5,300 |
6,700 |
|
P2 N95 |
4,100 |
4,900 |
6,200 |
7,300 |
9,000 |
|
Surgical masks |
1,800 |
2,200 |
2,600 |
3,200 |
4,000 |
|
Estimated pallets |
9 |
10 |
13 |
15 |
18 |
|
Rapid antigen test kits supply
We are continuing to supply weekly RAT kits to residential aged care homes through the NMS.
Quantity depends on the number of staff, residents and visitors expected at the home.
This supply should form part of your surveillance screening of at least twice per week and not more than 72 hours apart for staff, or on entry for each visitor.
You cannot charge residents, workers, or visitors for the use of these RATs.
All residential aged care homes will receive these RAT kits by default. To opt out of these weekly deliveries, contact us.
Visitors can also use their own RAT kits before their visit, and may be asked to provide evidence of their test result.
For enquiries about RAT supply and deliveries or for more information about rapid antigen testing for COVID-19 in aged care, contact us.
Surge workforce support
We provide surge workforce to support providers who are impacted by COVID-19 outbreaks and experiences workforce shortages.
The surge workforce provides temporary support to providers who are impacted by staff isolation or infection.
The supports available include:
- temporary surge workforce – to help providers when existing staff are infected or isolating
- emergency response teams – who are on standby if there is a significant outbreak in a residential home.
If you wish to access the surge workforce support, you must first exhaust all your existing partnerships and recruitment channels.
We consider requests on a case-by-case basis. The availability of surge workforce support is dependent on the availability of staffing resources.
You can request these supports by emailing us.
Read more about COVID-19 aged care workforce measures.
COVID-19 funding support
We provide COVID-19 funding to help residential aged care providers plan for and manage outbreaks.
Aged care worker COVID-19 leave payment grant
Residential and home care package providers can apply for aged care worker COVID-19 leave payment grants until 16 February 2024.
Providers may apply for reimbursement of up to $750 per week for payments they have made to aged care workers.
The grants reimburse providers for leave paid to directly employed permanent or casual aged care workers who both:
- cannot work due to COVID-19
- have no other access to leave payments.
The grant reimburses eligible sick leave expenses incurred between 1 April 2023 and 31 December 2023.
Learn more about aged care worker COVID-19 leave payment grants.
2023 COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Grant
Residential and home care service providers can apply for the 2023 COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Grant until 3 April 2024.
This grant covers eligible costs incurred due to COVID-19 outbreaks (or home care recipients impacted by COVID-19) between 1 January 2023 and 31 December 2023.
It will help support providers to transition towards managing the costs of COVID-19 outbreaks as part of normal business.
Learn more about the 2023 COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program.
Ad hoc grants for Commonwealth Home Support Program providers
We fund ad hoc grants for Commonwealth Home Support Program providers who need extra support to respond to unforeseen and exceptional circumstances.
Aged care grants contact
Mental health supports
We provide grief and trauma support for people in the aged care sector who have been affected by COVID-19, through:
The support includes improved advocacy assistance as well as grief and bereavement counselling.
Free webinars are available on grief and trauma:
- Accessing grief and trauma support during COVID-19 from the Older Persons Advocacy Network
- Identifying and managing trauma within the aged care sector, from Phoenix Australia
- Trauma and Dementia webinar from Phoenix Australia New link
- Peer support for staff working in residential aged care facilities and providing home care packages from the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement New
- The loss and grief experienced by aged care staff in the wake of COVID-19 from the Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement.
Visit Head to Health for information about mental health and digital support.
A range of digital and telehealth support services are available for help with mental health during the pandemic, including vulnerable people and those with severe and complex needs.
Resources
Publications and fact sheets
COVID-19 resources for health professionals, including aged care providers, pathology providers and health care managers
Webinars
For more information, watch webinars:
Stay informed
To stay up to date on aged care and COVID-19:
Find the latest advice and resources in your state or territory from your local public health agency.
Contact