Infection Prevention and Control Leads

The Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Training program was announced in the 2022-23 Budget as part of the Australian Government’s response to COVID-19 in aged care.

The purpose of this grant opportunity is to provide support for more nurses in residential aged care to access infection prevention and control (IPC) leadership training and ensure residential aged care services are well prepared to prevent or manage future infectious disease outbreaks including influenza and COVID-19.

Support is available for up to two suitable Registered Nurses or Enrolled Nurses in each eligible residential aged care service for costs related to suitable training, study leave and the backfilling of staff during periods of study leave. Eligible IPC training courses must meet the requirements for an IPC Lead. Further information can be found on the infection prevention and control leads page on the department’s website.

Eligible residential aged care services with an existing IPC Lead may apply through this grant opportunity. Providers of eligible residential aged care services including Residential Aged Care Facilities (RACFs), Multi-Purpose Service (MPS) providers, and providers delivering residential care services under the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program (an approved NATSIFACP provider) can apply.

Eligible residential aged care services will apply on behalf of eligible nurses:
To apply:

• Nurses must be currently registered with the Nursing and Midwifery Board of Australia as an RN or EN
• Providers will complete the online Application Form on GrantConnect
• Submit the application by the closing date and time via the Online Application Form link. No later than 30 June 2023 2:00 pm AEDT.

Please note that evidence to confirm paid enrolment in an eligible training course that meets the requirements to become an IPC Lead is required to apply for a grant.

Training must commence between 1 July 2022 and 30 June 2023 and be completed by the date specified in your grant agreement (no later than 31 December 2023).

If you have any questions about the grant or the application process, please contact the departments grants team at: grant.atm@health.gov.au

Infection prevention and control training grants available

Residential aged care providers can apply for funding to support registered and enrolled nurses to complete specialist Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) Leadership training.

Support is available for up to 2 registered or enrolled nurses in each eligible residential aged care service, for costs relating to:

• fees for suitable IPC training courses
• wages for study leave
• wages for backfilling for nurses undertaking study.

This funding provides support for more nurses in residential aged care to access IPC leadership training. Highly skilled staff will ensure residential aged care services are well prepared to prevent or manage future infectious disease outbreaks including influenza and COVID-19.

Further information on the IPC grant can be found at the following resources;
Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Training (GO5867) at GrantConnect
Fact sheet on Infection Prevention and Control Leads (agedcarequality.gov.au)
Infection prevention and control leads | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care