Emergency leave for aged care residents has been extended for six months and will now be available until 31 December 2023 – further evidence that COVID-19 is still impacting the aged care sector, even as the rest of the community returns to life as usual.

The extension means residents who wish to move out of their aged care home during a COVID-19 outbreak can continue to use emergency leave instead of social leave through to 31 December 2023.

Aged care homes will still receive their residential care subsidy when residents are on emergency leave.

While on emergency leave, residents are still required to pay their fees.

Emergency leave is available for an unlimited number of days.

Emergency leave was first introduced from 1 April 2020, at the start of the pandemic. It has been extended several times.

A fact sheet is available HERE.