Richard Colbeck, the Minister for Aged Care Services, has said he doesn't believe the number of deaths in aged care is an indicator of whether he is the best minister for the sector.

Asked earlier today at Senate Estimates whether he felt he was still the best minister for the job despite the number of aged care deaths this year, Mr Colbeck defended his position.

"I don't accept that deaths in the community or deaths in aged care is an indicator. So I reject your assertion in the context of that," he said.

"It is a nice political point for you to try and make. But, Senator, I continue to focus my attention on doing my job, rather than the political point you're trying to make."

Estimates heard earlier 691 aged care residents have died with COVID-19 this year.

Mr Colbeck also defended his decision to not use the word "crisis" in regards to aged care, saying he's "very careful about my language because the sector says to me, 'when are we going to stop talking this sector down?'"