Residential aged care providers will benefit from an additional COVID-19 specific support package totalling $205 million.

The payment – to all Commonwealth funded residential aged care providers – will be linked to the number of residents being cared for by each facility, and is aimed at covering the additional costs of caring for the health and wellbeing of residents during the pandemic.

Facilities outside major metropolitan areas will receive a 50 per cent loading to cover the additional costs of providing care in these areas.

Local Farrer MP Sussan Ley said it was another measure to reinforce the aged care sector, and protect our loved ones in care across our region.

“While Australia’s rural areas are doing exceptionally well in preventing the spread of the Coronavirus, we must remain vigilant particularly in residential aged care.

“These measures help reassure families that everything is being done to look after their loved ones during this most difficult time,” Ms Ley said.

Providers will receive around $900 per resident in major metropolitan areas and around $1350 per resident in all other areas.

The costs will assist in additional staffing, training, supporting visitations and connections,
and the provision of personal protective equipment.

Aged Care Minister Richard Colbeck said the latest injection of funds is aimed at ensuring aged care providers can offer reinforced levels of safety and care.

“We are facing an extraordinary health challenge and we need to work together to protect the people we loved most. This is about keeping those people in residential aged care, protected and safe,” Minister Colbeck said.

The announcement comes as National Cabinet agreed on an aged care sector code of conduct for visitations, to ensure residents can not only be kept safe but continue to receive the social and emotional support they need from their families.