Emergency events and aged care service providers 065-13130000

The System for the Payment of Aged Residential Care (SPARC) is the legacy aged care payment system for residential care. SPARC is a view only system from 11 August 2022.

To view the legacy SPARC process, see the historical version.

Emergency events (for example natural disasters, pandemics or epidemics) can result in an aged care service being evacuated and relocating care recipients. In some cases, permanent residential aged care recipients can take temporary leave from a residential aged care service during an emergency. If an emergency happens, the government will decide the:

• area of impact
• scope of the emergency, and
• duration

Emergency planning is a requirement for aged care services. Preparing for emergencies help lessen their impacts on an aged care service’s ability to provide care for care recipients. This includes, but is not limited to:

• liaising with local emergency services to determine the seriousness of the situation and risk level to the aged care service and care recipients
• ensuring that authorised aged care personnel regularly monitor emergency broadcasts and media for warnings and advice during any period of risk
• continuing to deliver appropriate care, which may require sourcing additional staff or volunteers
• keeping care recipients, family and staff informed during any emergency situation
• liaising with local agencies providing recovery and other relevant services
• emergency leave provisions

Emergency leave provisions allow permanent residential care recipients to use leave during the emergency period without affecting their social leave. Care recipients receiving care in other aged care types (such as home care, flexible care and respite care) cannot use the emergency leave provision. Emergency leave provisions can only be used during the emergency leave period.

The Process page contains steps on how to register emergency leave details.

The Resources page contains a table detailing the emergency leave period announced by the Government.

Approved providers should contact the Department of Health and Aged Care via the emergency contact number.

Emergency information required for the Department of Health and Aged Care may include:

• general emergency management matters, including internal/external emergency details
• if an evacuation or relocation of care recipients is required
• access to accommodation information

The Department of Health and Aged Care state and territory staff work in partnership with local stakeholders to ensure services provided are responsive to local needs and conditions. Service Officers should direct queries on responsive action to the Department of Health and Aged Care.

The Resources page contains a link to the Department of Health and Aged Care - contact details for state and territory offices.

Additional advice and assistance during an emergency can be obtained through local emergency services or state fire authority.

The Resources page contains a link to contacts for local emergency services.

The approved provider must notify the Department of Health and Aged Care state office that the evacuation has occurred. The evacuation will be monitored by that office until the service returns to normal operations.