Federal Member for Capricornia Michelle Landry has welcomed the announcement of the Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment to eligible Aged Care Providers, Home Care Providers, Commonwealth Home Support, Self Employed Nurse Practitioners, National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program (NATSIFAC), and Agencies.
“This grant offers hope and a solution to regional, rural, and remote regions that are desperate for nursing staff to care for the aging members of the community.
“The lack of clinical nursing staff in regional areas of Capricornia has taken away options for those people that are facing a time in their life when they need to move into aged care. Those with no support from their family or from the community’s only possibility is to move to a nearby town or city that offers a suitable facility, and that’s only if there is a bed available. Given the staff shortages aged care providers are dealing with, placements and beds can be very difficult to secure.
“Whether they can remain at home on a Home Care Package or move into an aged care facility, it’s important that people have the option of staying in the community they live in where they can be close to their family and friends.”
The objective of the Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment is to reward clinical skills and leadership and assist in the attraction and retention of registered nurses in the aged care sector.
A 12-month payment of up to $3700 is available to full time registered nurses who have worked for the same provider from 1 November 2022 through until the 31 October 2023.
A 6-month payment of up to half of the 12-month payment, is available to full time registered nurses who work for the same provider from 1 May 2023 through until the 31 October 2023.
Registered nurses may also be eligible for an additional payment of $2300 per year if they meet the following criteria:
- work in a rural or remote area (classified MMM 3-7)
- hold a relevant formal postgraduate qualification (Graduate Certificate or higher)
- take on additional leadership or training responsibilities in their workplace.
The payment also encourages registered nurses to:
- Work in rural towns and communities and in remote and very remote communities.
- Complete formal post-graduate qualifications; and
- Take on additional training responsibilities.
“I hosted an aged care forum in Rockhampton, in October this year which was well attended by stakeholders, aged care workers, providers, and clients. I am brutally aware of the issues around the aged care sector and the necessity to implement incentives to attract more staff into the industry.
“There is no quick fix to the aged care staffing crisis that is affecting aged care providers across the board in cities, towns, and regional and remote areas. Initiatives such as the Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment are a positive step in providing practical solutions and incentives to attract skilled nurses to care for our valued ageing Australian population in regional and remote areas such as Capricornia,” Ms Landry said.
For more information on how to apply for this grant please visit: htpps://www.gov.grants.au
