Read information for aged care workers about when you must not work, testing, online training and other resources.
When you must not go to work
If you are an aged care worker, do not go to work if you have:
been in contact with someone diagnosed with COVID-19
a fever
a symptom, even a minor symptom, of respiratory illness (cough, shortness of breath, sore throat, runny nose or nasal congestion)
not had a 2020 flu vaccination
returned from overseas in the past 14 days
travelled in the past 14 days as a cruise ship passenger or crew member.
Let your employer know if you need to quarantine at home.
If you are a residential aged care worker, you must have had a flu shot to work, though exemptions apply in some states and territories.
Testing
It is important to detect COVID-19 in aged care workers as early as possible.
You are eligible for COVID-19 testing if you are an aged care worker and develop fever or respiratory symptoms.
Your doctor will confirm whether you need a test, and will arrange it if you do.
Aged and residential care facilities are high-risk settings. Staff (and residents) will also be tested if there are 2 or more people with fever and respiratory symptoms in the facility.
There are drive through testing centre's located in specific areas that can be effective for infection control and efficient.
Online training
A 30-minute online module – COVID-19 infection control training – is available for care workers across all health care settings. It includes training specific to aged care.
Other training modules include:
personal safety
families and visitors – residential care
families and visitors – in-home care
COVID-19 and aged care
outbreak management procedures
personal protective equipment
laundry
if you suspect a person has COVID-19.
These modules take 5 to 10 minutes each. You will receive an acknowledgement of completion certificate for each module.
This training is hosted on an external site, provided by NSW Health COVID-19 training partner Aspen Medical.
Staying informed
To stay up to date on aged care and COVID-19:
Browse NSW Health aged care news & stay up to date with our news and articles
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You can also read other articles for further COVID-19 advice for
This information was gathered from the Australian Health Government website and is used as a reputable source of information to assist the public.
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