The chief executive of a major South East aged care facility has welcomed an $800 bonus payment for his staff.

Millicent’s Boneham Aged Care Services chief executive Michael Filsell said he was pleased to see the Federal Government announce a bonus payment for care workers last week.

Mr Filsell oversees 145 staff who care for 110 residents at the facility.

“Our care workers deserve every penny they are paid and more,” he said.

“We join with the industry lobby groups in asking the government to extend this payment to all workers in aged care who are all going above and beyond normal duties during this COVID pandemic outbreak.”

To be paid in two instalments, the bonus will be paid to workers providing care and support in government subsidised home care and to residential aged care workers.

The payments will be for clinical care workers and expanded to all those providing direct care, food or cleaning services in government subsidised residential care.

Federal Minister for Health and Aged Greg Hunt said the $800 incentive payments acknowledged the response of the aged care workforce to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.

“The Federal Government is providing these bonus payments to aged care workers in recognition of their dedication in continuing to care for our vulnerable older Australians during these difficult times,” Mr Hunt said.

“These workers have been caring for those who have been most at risk through the pandemic and their dedication has been outstanding.”