Higher-risk settings
Settings with a higher risk of getting COVID-19 include:
- residential aged care facilities
- disability care services
- in-home aged, health and disability care
- hospitals and other healthcare settings.
Many people in these settings are at greater risk of severe illness from COVID-19. It’s important to take extra care when visiting these settings.
High-risk groups
You are at a higher risk of becoming very sick from COVID-19 and needing hospital treatment, if you:
- are aged 65 years or older
- have certain health conditions, including
- weakened immune system
- neurological disease, such as stroke or dementia
- chronic lung disease, such as severe asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
- heart disease
- obesity
- diabetes
- chronic kidney disease
- are pregnant.
Read more about COVID-19, vaccines and recommendations for vaccination from the Australian Immunisation Handbook.
Protecting yourself
If you are in a high-risk group, taking prevention measures is critical, especially getting vaccinated.
Speak to your doctor now about what to do if you become sick. If you are eligible, your doctor can plan COVID-19 treatments to minimise the risk.
If you test positive, you should start treatments as soon as you can. These work best if you take them within 5 days of symptoms starting or testing positive, so:
- test for COVID-19 if you have been exposed or as soon as symptoms start
- consult with your doctor straight away if you test positive or have symptoms.
Information for specific groups
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
You have a higher risk of getting very sick from COVID-19 if you are an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, and:
- live in a remote area far from medical help
- have an underlying medical condition.
Read more about dedicated Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander COVID-19 assistance.
People in aged care
In-home and residential aged care are high-risk settings for COVID-19, and older people are particularly vulnerable to serious illness.
Read advice about managing COVID-19 in aged care:
- for older people and carers
- for residential aged care providers
- for residential respite care providers
- for in-home aged care providers.
People with disability
You have a greater risk of serious illness from COVID-19, if you are a person with disability and:
- have an existing chronic condition
- have a weakened immune system.
You have a greater risk of exposure to COVID-19 if you are a person with disability and:
- your situation makes it hard to maintain physical distancing
- your situation makes hygiene measures, such as wearing a face mask, difficult.
For more information, see:
- COVID-19 planning resource for people with disability
- COVID-19 hospital companion for people with disability
- COVID-19 oral medicines information sheet for people with disability
- the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) website
- your state and territory health agency website.
People who are immunocompromised
Your immune system fights germs and viruses that cause disease. But many conditions and treatments weaken your immune system.
If your immune system is compromised, you are more likely to become severely ill with COVID-19.
You are considered moderately to severely immunocompromised if you have:
- been living with disability with multiple conditions including frailty
- blood cancer or some red blood cell disorders (thalassemia, sickle cell disease)
- been a transplant recipient
- have a primary or acquired (HIV) immunodeficiency
- had chemotherapy or whole-body radiotherapy in the previous 3 months
- had high dose corticosteroids or pulse corticosteroid therapy in the previous 3 months
- had immunosuppressive treatments in the previous 3 months
- had rituximab in the previous 12 months
- have cerebral palsy or Down Syndrome
- have congenital heart disease
- have certain medical conditions.
Speak to your doctor to plan COVID-19 oral treatments in case you get sick.