These resources provide the aged care sector and consumers and their families with information and advice on preventing and controlling COVID-19 outbreaks in Australian aged care settings. Most of these resources are produced by the Australian Commonwealth Department of Health with some content from additional stakeholder organisations. They cover residential aged care and home care settings.
For service providers and aged care staff
COVID-19 infection control training
Department of Health
Free online training course for all aged care workers, including cooks and cleaners (Registration required)
For Residential Aged Care Services
Advice on aged care during COVID-19
Department of Health:Comprehensive, up to date information and advice on COVID-19 for aged care providers, aged care workers, and people receiving residential or home care.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) guidelines for infection prevention and control in residential care facilities
Infection Control Expert Group, Department of Health: National guidelines for COVID-19 infection prevention and control in residential care facilities.
COVID-19 provider resources
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Resources include management guidance and information on infection control spot checks and visitor access during a pandemic.
How prepared are you for a Covid-19 outbreak?
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Factsheet poses guiding questions for all residential aged care providers and links to supportive resources.
COVID-19 outbreaks in Australian residential aged care facilities
Department of Health
A national weekly data snapshot on the impact of COVID-19 in aged care facilities.
CDNA national guidelines for the prevention, control and public health management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential care facilities in Australia
Communicable Disease Network Australia
Best practice guidelines for residential aged care services, health professionals, and carers on the prevention and management of COVID-19 outbreaks in residential aged care.
Industry code for visiting in aged care homes Version 6.1
An approach to help providers meet their obligations to the safety of people in residential aged care during COVID-19.
For Home Care Providers
Managing homecare through Covid-19
Department of Health and Aged Care
Home care package providers need to respond to changing circumstances to effectively manage COVID-19 risks to their care recipients and staff.
Working with older people
A coronavirus (COVID-19) update from Dementia Australia
Dementia Australia
Resources for home and residential aged care workers supporting people living with dementia during the pandemic. Includes help sheets in a range of languages and short videos.
COVID-19 etiquette: Storyboards and user guides
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Storyboards and posters communicating COVID-19 protective practices to people whose English or literacy levels may be a barrier when it comes to accessing information.
Stress, Grief and Loss
Aged care workforce: Trauma, loss and grief
Phoenix Australia
Information for the aged care workforce providing support to residents affected by grief or trauma or experiencing it themselves.
COVID-19 aged care grief and trauma support services
Department of Health
A collection of resources, including services, for people experiencing grief and trauma associated with living, working, and caring in the aged care sector during COVID-19
Aged care grief and bereavement support
Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement
An online resource providing guidance on responding to grief and bereavement in aged care and facilitating workforce self-care practices. Includes materials for diverse population groups and in languages other than English
Covid-19 Clinical Evidence Resources
Caring for People with Covid-19
National Covid-19 Clinical Evidence Taskforce
Living guidelines and include clinical pathways for Management of people with Covid-19 who are older and living with frailty and/or cognitive impairment and Management of people with COVID-19 who are receiving palliative care
Home-care guidelines for patients with COVID-19
Royal Australian College of General Practitioners
Guide contains information for general practitioners (GPs) who are providing home- based care in a private residential home (including public or community housing), in residential aged care facilities and supported accommodation, for patients who have tested positive for COVID-19 and require additional support from general practice.
The first year of COVID-19 in Australia: direct and indirect health effects
Australian Institute of Health and Welfare
Report on the direct and indirect health effects of COVID-19 in Australia. It includes information on case numbers, deaths, and burden of disease as well as the impact on other diseases, health services, changes in health behaviours and social determinants.
For consumers and their families
Older people can be at increased risk of serious illness from COVID-19. They can need information about Covid19 as well as information on how to manage during active outbreaks. Care arrangements may also be affected by what is happening in a residential aged care service or impacts on homecare service providers.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for older people and carers
Department of Health and Aged Care
Government advice on protecting yourself and staying well. Symptoms and medicines
COVID clarity
Health Direct
Provides up-to-date information for consumers. Includes a Covid-19 symptom checker
COVID-19 information
Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN)
Provides web information and phone contact with advocates available 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday or 10am to 4pm on Saturdays for support by calling 1800 700 600
Information for older Australians on Coronavirus (COVID-19)
MyAged Care
Useful information for older Australians in a question and answer format
Translated resources
Department of Health and Aged Care
You can sse the filters to see resources in a selected language, or use the search box to find what you need
When you are living in a residential aged care facility
Residential aged care facilities can be affected by Covid19 outbreaks. Aged care staff, family and friends and the residents need to work together to keep staff and residents safe.
Coronavirus (COVID-19) advice for people in aged care facilities and visitors
Department of Health and Aged Care
Government advice on keeping safe within residential care during the COVID-19 pandemic. Includes state-by-state updates on visitor restrictions.
What to expect during a COVID-19 outbreak: Residents in aged care homes
Department of Health
(Video, 3:14 mins) This short video tells consumers what they might expect in the event of a COVID-19 outbreak in a residential care setting.
When you are receiving in-home services
Older Australians can still access homecare services during the COVID-19 pandemic through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) or a Home Care Package will continue. There may be some changes to the way you receive the service.
Advice on in-home aged care services during COVID-19
Department of Health and Aged Care
Advice on what support is available, where to get urgent assistance, and how assessments will work
Grief and Loss
Feeling Lonely or worried?
My Aged Care
If you are feeling lonely, distressed or confused, you can call the COVID-19 support line on 1800 171 866 (free call). This is a dedicated service for older Australians. It provides a safe place to speak with an expert who can listen and offer practical help and advice. The support line is available Monday to Friday from 8:30am to 6pm, excluding public holidays.
Impacted by COVID-19?
Australian Government
Help is available through grief, loss, trauma, advice and advocacy services.
- Grief and bereavement
Phone: 1800 222 220
Website: www.aged.grief.org.au
- Dementia behaviour support
Phone: 1800 699 799
Website: www.dementia.com.au
- Trauma support
Website: www.phoenixaustralia.org/aged-care
Advice and advocacy
1800 700 600