Australia’s aged care workforce given $210 million in support
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The Australian Government will be providing $210 million to the aged care workforce in order for them to continue caring for older Australians during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Under the $210 million, a bonus of up to $800 will be given to workers providing care and support in Government-subsidised home care and to residential aged care workers.
The payments, which is a bonus of up to $800, will be for clinical care workers and expanded to all those providing direct care, food or cleaning services in Government-subsidised residential care.
Minister for Health and Aged Greg Hunt said the added financial support was an acknowledgement to the response of the aged care workforce to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.
“The Government is providing these bonus payments to aged care workers in recognition of their dedication in continuing to care for our vulnerable older Australians during these difficult times,” Minister Hunt said.
“These workers have been caring for those who have been most at risk through the pandemic and their dedication has been outstanding.”
Aside from this, Minister Hunt also said that the payments will also be an extra bonus for those who recently retired but have responded to the request to return to work during the recent workforce shortages.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck said the Australian Government was committed to providing the best possible quality of care to our vulnerable older Australians.
“Aged Care workers are the backbone of the care and services provided to older Australians, which is why we continue to invest in growing and upskilling the workforce,” Minister Colbeck said.
“The payments will provide additional encouragement to continue working through the pandemic and will help to attract additional workers into aged care.”
Those workers employed on 28 February 2022 will receive a bonus payment of up to $400, with another instalment of up to $400 made to workers employed on 28 April 2022.
Aged care providers will apply for the payments and will pass on the assessment to employees.
“I encourage providers to make this payment to eligible employees as soon as possible after they have confirmation of the amount of the payment,” Minister Hunt said.
This Aged Care investment by the Australian Government is the fourth workforce bonus with three payments already made totalling $393 million going to more than 230,000 workers.
The support adds to the $18.3 billion commitment made by the Australian Government to ensure senior Australians receive the care, respect and dignity they deserve.
Source: Department of Health Media Release
Eliza is a content producer and editor at Public Spectrum. She is an experienced writer on topics related to the government and to the public, as well as stories that uplift and improve the community.
