Bonus payments to retain aged care nurses

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, and Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the Morrison Government was committed to reinforcing clinical support for senior Australians in residential care.

The $135.6 million commitment will also reward nurses who take on additional training responsibilities and recognises the invaluable contribution aged care nurses make across the sector.

Under the initiative, full-time registered nurses can receive a payment of $3700 for each year and part-time and casual registered nurses can receive payment on a pro‑rata basis, averaging $2700 each year.

On top of these payments, nurses can receive up to an additional $2,300 if they work in a rural or remote area, hold a postgraduate qualification or take on additional leadership or training responsibilities in their workplace.

Registered nurses working for the same aged care provider for 12 months will be eligible for the payment in both 2022 and 2023.

The number of registered nurses working in aged care will be increased and strengthened, particularly in rural and remote areas, under a new payment aimed at rewarding clinical skills and leadership. 

There will be two eligibility periods for the payment, and eligible nurses will be able to receive both payments if they are employed for the 12 month periods - 1 November 2021 to 31 October 2022, and 1 November 2022 to 31 October 2023.

Information Source www.health.gov.au, Image Source sbs.com.au