Emergency leave for aged care residents, which allows them to leave aged care for a period to avoid exposures to COVID-19, has been extended until 31 December 2024.

Emergency leave was introduced at the start of the pandemic on 1 April 2020 and has already been extended several times.

Emergency leave allows residents to leave aged care without losing their place and without attracting additional fees. Aged care homes continue to receive their residential care subsidy for residents on emergency leave.

Residents on emergency leave are required to continue paying their basic daily fee, means tested care fees, and daily accommodation payments, however, they do not have to use social leave, which can result in additional fees.

A fact sheet is available here.