The government is committed to protecting older Australians in aged care, who are most at risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Supporting aged care workers to stay home when they test positive for COVID-19 reduces the spread of the virus among older people and other staff. From 1 July 2023, Australian Government funded aged care providers and home care package providers can apply for new aged care worker COVID-19 leave payment grants of up to $750 per person per week. These grants reimburse providers for leave paid to directly employed permanent or casual aged care workers and cover employees who cannot work due to COVID-19 and have no other access to leave payments.