At the request of Emergency Management Australia, the Australian Defence Force (ADF) is continuing to provide support to aged care facilities impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic with military planners as well as augmentation and ADF-only quick reaction teams in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland, and South Australia.
On Wednesday 9 February, Defence expanded its contribution to the whole-of-government support to aged care facilities by 200 personnel, with up to 1,700 ADF personnel available to provide support across Australia.
These support teams will include several roles including team leaders, registered and enrolled nurses, and supporting personnel. The placement of personnel will be made in consultation with the Department of Health.
200 ADF personnel are completing induction training across Brisbane, South Australia and virtually, with a member coordination and planning team joining the Department of Health in Canberra, ACT. Ten-person Independent ADF Standing Force Teams in Queensland, Victoria, South Australia and New South Wales are at 24-hours’ notice to move for assignments as soon as direction is received from the Department of Health.
