Staying safe during COVID-19 outbreaks
COVID-19 remains a serious threat to the health of older people, and aged care homes are still experiencing outbreaks.
During an outbreak, residents in aged care homes can access emergency leave, which enables them to temporarily stay with family or friends without paying extra fees to keep their place in aged care.
Previously, residents had to use their social leave for this. Residents have 52 days of social leave per year, and once it runs out, aged care providers no longer receive a subsidy for it. That means providers can charge residents extra fees to keep their place once they have used up their social leave.
To help protect residents and avoid using their social leave during COVID-19 outbreaks, we've extended emergency leave for 12 months to 31 December 2025.
This gives older people, their families and carers more choice and peace of mind. If a resident uses emergency leave, aged care homes will continue to be paid the residential care subsidy, so residents and providers are not charged extra. Residents will still be required to pay their agreed fees while using emergency leave.
For more information, read the fact sheet for residents.
Let's change aged care, together
Every Australian should feel confident about accessing high quality and safe aged care, when and where they need it.
The changes mean Older people will have greater choice and control, services that respect and meet their needs, and support to stay independent as they age.
To find out more and help design the changes, visit the Get Involved page or call 1800 318 209.