The Federal Government has extended its emergency leave scheme for aged care residents a third time, with the provision to now end 30 June 2023.
First introduced in May 2020 before being extended in September of that year, and again in mid-2021, the program ensures providers continue to be paid subsidies even if residents leave their aged care homes to stay with family or other loved ones during disasters such as fire, flood, and COVID-19 outbreaks.
According to the Department of Health, this latest extension will allow residents to keep taking emergency leave instead of using up their social leave entitlements.
“The continued availability of emergency leave will provide certainty and reassurance to residents who wish to temporarily relocate to stay with family at these times.
“Aged care homes will continue to be paid residential care subsidy when residents are on emergency leave, ensuring neither residents nor providers are disadvantaged,” the Department said.
Up to eight weeks’ support is also available for the residents themselves through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
