2011-12 OverviewPart 1: About the Department
Part 2: Performance Reporting2.2: Performance by OutcomePart 3: Management and AccountabilityPart 4: Financial StatementsAppendicesYou are in:
Access to quality and affordable aged care and carer support services for older people, including through subsidies and grants, industry assistance, training and regulation of the aged care sector
A major highlight in 2012 was the announcement of the Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package. On 20 April 2012, the Prime Minister, the Hon Julia Gillard MP, and the Minister for Mental Health and Ageing, the Hon Mark Butler MP, unveiled the $3.7 billion Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package and 10 year plan. The reform package will deliver more choice, easier access and better care for older Australians and their families.
Key components of the reforms include:
The development of the reform measures was substantially informed by the Productivity Commission’s inquiry Caring for Older Australians and the extensive community and stakeholder consultations that followed the release of the Commission’s report.
The first of the reform stages announced by Government commenced in July 2012. This has enabled consumers and providers to gain early benefits from key changes, whilst ensuring they can adapt and plan for further reform.
Average residential care funding per resident has been growing at a much faster rate than anticipated since the Aged Care Funding Instrument commenced in 2008-09.
Figure 4.1: Aged Care Funding Growth 2006-07 to 2011-12.
Figure 4.2 shows the increase in the value of accommodation bonds, with the average bond balance more than $180,000 in 2010-11.
On 30 June 2011, approved providers held in excess of $12.1 billion in accommodation bonds on behalf of approximately 65,500 residents.
Figure 4.2: Trend in Aged Care Accommodation Bonds
Outcome 4 aims to ensure that older people receive a choice of high quality, accessible and affordable care, and that carers get the support they need to look after frail older people living at home. Through Outcome 4, the Government also aims to encourage older people to live active and independent lives. The Department worked to achieve this Outcome by managing initiatives under the programs outlined below.
Program 4.1 aims to provide equitable and timely access for frail older people to assessments that determine their eligibility for Australian Government subsidised aged care.
The objective of the Aged Care Assessment Program is to assist frail older people to gain access to the most appropriate types of care and improve their health and wellbeing. This is achieved through Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs) who comprehensively assess the care needs of frail older people and determine their eligibility for Australian Government subsidised aged care services.
To improve the timeliness, consistency and quality of ACAT assessments, the Australian Government and state and territory governments agreed, as a schedule to the National Partnership Agreement on Health Services, to the Aged Care Assessment Program Implementation Plan. This Plan commenced on 1 July 2010 and ceased on 30 June 2012.
Under the Plan, incentives were provided to state and territory governments for meeting benchmarks that measured improvements to ACAT assessments against key performance indicators.
The Plan delivered its objective that older Australians receive access to high quality ACAT assessment services that determine their eligibility for subsidised aged care to meet their care needs.
All states and territories have agreed to continue to deliver ACAT services during the 2012-14 period.
Deliverable: Percentage of completed assessments undertaken on clients in the target population.
2011-12 Target: 87% 2011-12 Actual: Data available December 2012 Result: Met.
Final data for 2011-12 will not be available until December 2012. Projected figures, based on 1 July to 31 December 2011 data, indicate that 92.5% of all completed assessments undertaken by ACATs were for the target population. South Australia had the highest proportion of assessments from the target population with 93.5%, while the Northern Territory had the lowest with 89%. All states and territories are projected to meet the 2011-12 target of 87%.
KPI: Percentage of high priority assessments completed within 48 hours of referral.
2011-12 Target: 85% 2011-12 Actual: Data available December 2012 Result: Met.
Data for 2011-12 will not be available until December 2012. Projected figures, based on the 1 July to 31 December 2011 data, indicate that 91.6% of the highest priority assessments were seen within 48 hours of referral. It is expected that the target of 85% will be met by all state and territory governments.
KPI: Improved timeliness of assessment as per Aged Care Assessment Program Implementation Plan.
2011-12 Reference Point: An improved percentage of priority one, two and three clients seen on time across all settings in 2011-12 compared with 2010-11.
Result: Substantially met.
Projected figures, based on the 1 July to 31 December 2011 data, indicate an overall improved percentage of priority one, two and three clients seen on time across all settings in 2011-12 compared with 2010-11.
KPI: State and territory governments meet agreed performance indicators and benchmarks for 2010-11.
2011-12 Reference Point: State and territory governments provide 2010-11 annual performance reports to the Australian Government by August 2011.
Result: Substantially met.
The Australian Government has received and accepted 2010-11 annual performance reports from all state and territory governments, although some were received after the deadline.
KPI: The data about the Aged Care Assessment Program is maintained to a high level of accuracy and is provided within the specified time frame by the state and territory governments to the Commonwealth.
2011-12 Reference Point: The state and territory government’s successful upload of Quarter 4 (2010-11) and Quarters 1-3 (2011-12) data files into the Aged Care Data Warehouse in the required format with error rate not exceeding 0.1%.
Result: Met.
All state and territory governments have successfully uploaded Quarter 4 (2010-11) and Quarters 1-3 (2011-12) data files into the Aged Care Data Warehouse in the required format with error rate not exceeding 0.1%.
KPI: Aged Care Assessment Teams meet National Minimum Training Standards and complete national training resources relevant to their roles and responsibilities.
2011-12 Target: 100% 2011-12 Actual: 100% Result: Met.
The Department requires all ACAT members to have successfully completed, or working towards completing their respective assessment component within set time frames, of the ACAT National Orientation Training resources as a requirement of the National ACAT Minimum Training Standards.
This process is monitored by ACAT Education Officers, jurisdictional annual reports and a central data base.
Deliverable: Percentage of delegates who have successfully completed the knowledge assessment component of the delegation training.
2011-12 Target: 100% 2011-12 Actual: 100% Result: Met.
The Department requires all ACAT delegates to have successfully completed the assessment component of the ACAT National Delegation Training resource as a requirement of the National ACAT Minimum Training Standards.
All potential new delegates must successfully complete this training as a component of their selection criteria to become a delegate. All other delegates must undertake a refresher course every two years. This process is monitored by ACAT Education Officers, jurisdictional annual reports and a central data base.
KPI: Percentage of Aged Care Assessment Teams which participate in a Quality Improvement Program.
2011-12 Target: 100% 2011-12 Actual: 100% Result: Met.
In 2011-12, state and territory governments ensured that 100% of their ACATs participated in a Quality Improvement Program.
Deliverable: Produce relevant and timely evidence-based policy research.
2011-12 Reference Point: Relevant evidence-based policy research produced in a timely manner.
Result: Met.
The Department developed an electronic National Comprehensive Assessment Form (NCAF) to assist ACAT assessors deliver consistent assessment results through the utilisation of the ACAP Toolkit, which comprises a set of validated, specific assessment tools for use by ACATs. The NCAF includes evidence-based screening items recommended for inclusion by an expert clinical reference group.
Deliverable: Stakeholders participate in program and/or policy development.
2011-12 Reference Point: Stakeholders participated in program and/or policy development through avenues such as regular consultative committees, conferences, stakeholder engagement forums, surveys, submissions on Departmental discussion papers and meetings.
Result: Met.
In 2011-12, the Department consulted with Aged and Community Care Officials to improve the timeliness, consistency and quality of assessments conducted by ACATs, and to consider activities to progress aged care reforms.
The Department also worked with the National Aged Care Assessment Team Training Reference Group to revise and update national training resources, hold two-day ACAT Education Officer workshops in November 2011 and March 2012, and plan for the National Aged Care Conference 2012.
As part of the governance of the Assessment Framework and Tool project, an Expert Clinical Reference Group was established to provide clinical advice to the Centre of Health Service Development.
Deliverable: Percentage of variance between actual and budgeted expenses.
2011-12 Target: ≤0.5% 2011-12 Actual: -21.8% Result: Not met.
The Department did not achieve the performance target for actual administered expenses. The decision was made not to undertake planned work in 2011-12 on the software that supports the ACAP processes while Government considered its response to the Productivity Commission’s report.
Program 4.2 aims to improve the quality of aged care by developing the skills of the aged care workforce.
The Aged Care Workforce Fund (the Fund)66 was established on 1 July 2011, consolidating the activities of four existing programs,67 and provides a larger, flexible funding pool for initiatives aimed at improving the quality of aged care by developing the skills of the aged care workforce.
The objectives of the Fund are to provide training, education and support for the aged care workforce, facilitate collaborations between the aged care, training and research sectors and provide targeted training strategies for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples to support the delivery of culturally appropriate care.
The Fund provided ongoing support to improve the skills and qualifications of the aged care workforce through training and vocational education programs ranging from nationally accredited short courses in dementia and palliative care, through to Certificate III and IV qualifications in aged care. Support also includes enrolled nurse training and registered nurse scholarships.
The Fund also continued support for training and development in rural and remote areas to improve recruitment and retention of local Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in aged care services. This training delivers culturally appropriate models of accredited training to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care workers on-site within eligible communities in rural and remote areas of the Northern Territory, Queensland (including the Torres Strait), Western Australia and South Australia.
Three new pilot projects under the Fund were established to promote and explore improved ways of developing the aged care workforce:
In 2011-12, the Department set up an independent advisory group to develop an Aged Care Workforce Compact as part of the aged care reform package. The Compact will involve a tripartite commitment to implementing a range of options to address the workforce issues confronting the sector such as wages, attraction, retention, education, training and career development of workers. Funding for those aged care providers who sign up to the Aged Care Workforce Compact will be available from 1 July 2013.
Also during the year, the 2012 National Aged Care Workforce Census and Survey was conducted from late January to 30 March 2012. The results will be a valuable resource on aged care workforce characteristics and trends for providers of community/home and residential aged care services and health professionals when they are released in late 2012.
Deliverable: Number of education and training places.
2011-12 Target: 13,000 2011-12 Actual: 16,414 Result: Met.
A total of 16,414 education and training places were funded. The Department funded Registered Training Organisations to deliver training for 1,471 aged care workers leading to a qualification as an enrolled nurse, 13,269 certificate training places and 1,674 short courses across Australia.
KPI: Percentage of education and training places taken up.
2011-12 Target: 100% 2011-12 Actual: 100% Result: Met.
Registered Training Organisations took up all aged care education and training places made available by the Department during 2011-12.
KPI: Workforce training addresses skills gaps and the diverse needs of the aged care sector.
2011-12 Reference Point: The Department collaborates with and supports the Aged Care Workforce Committee to identify future workforce needs and priorities for future workforce training programs.
Result: Met.
The Department had comprehensive discussions with the Aged Care Workforce Committee to inform the development and finalisation of the Aged Care Workforce Fund Guidelines. The Guidelines provide a framework within which funding is provided to address workforce training needs.
KPI: Targeted activities undertaken to support the delivery of culturally appropriate training for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
2011-12 Reference Point: Registered Training Organisations provide targeted training opportunities for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Result: Met.
In 2011-12, a number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander specific employment and workforce development programs were implemented in aged and community care services. These programs include funding for Registered Training Organisations to provide culturally appropriate, accredited training, both on-site in communities and via intensive residential training.
Deliverable: Aged care nurse practitioner activities subject to ongoing evaluation.
2011-12 Reference Point: An evaluation framework in place to assess effectiveness of aged care nurse practitioner activities.
Result: Met.
The University of Canberra has been engaged to monitor, analyse and compare the effectiveness and sustainability of each model of practice and highlight critical success factors and constraints. The evaluator will also collect information on financial viability, economic sustainability and the role and scope of the nurse practitioner.
Deliverable: Consultation with stakeholders on implementation arrangements for the Fund.
2011-12 Reference Point: Timely initial contact and follow-up consultation where this is required.
Result: Met.
The Aged Care Workforce Committee formally met on three occasions and also considered a number of issues out of session to support the identification of future workforce needs and priorities for workforce education and training programs.
Extensive consultation was also undertaken with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care providers based on feedback regarding skills gaps and diverse needs.
Deliverable: Establishment of administrative arrangements for the Fund.
2011-12 Reference Point: Administrative arrangements in place.
Result: Met.
The Department released operational guidelines for the Fund on 24 May 2012.
In 2011-12, the Department continued to operate and promote the Aged Care Education and Training Incentives Program which provides incentive payments to eligible aged care workers who undertake further studies to enhance their career as a personal care worker, an enrolled nurse or a registered nurse. The incentive payments range from $500 to $5,000 and contribute to covering some of the costs that workers incur while undertaking eligible certificate, enrolled nurse and undergraduate courses.
The payments are made to eligible applicants, at the commencement of the course and at the completion. This graduated payment system reflects the differing lengths of study undertaken and the investment by workers in completing their studies.
KPI: Number of incentive payments made.
2011-12 Target: 16,600 2011-12 Actual: 16,260 Result: Substantially met.
Eligibility for the incentive payments commenced on 1 July 2010. The uptake of the program was lower than expected. The Department continues to promote the program to workers and to providers.
Deliverable: Produce relevant and timely evidence-based policy research.
2011-12 Reference Point: Relevant evidence-based policy research produced in a timely manner.
Result: Met.
Through the Teaching and Research Aged Care Services initiative, a discussion paper and a final report on a scoping study were developed. These documented the various models operational in Australia and key characteristics that contributed to excellence within these models. The findings contributed to models established through the initiative.
Deliverable: Stakeholders participate in program and/or policy development.
2011-12 Reference Point: Stakeholders participated in program and/or policy development through avenues such as regular consultative committees, conferences, stakeholder engagement forums, surveys, submissions on Departmental discussion papers and meetings.
Result: Met.
The Department consulted with the Aged Care Workforce Committee to help ensure that activities undertaken were appropriate, needs-driven and consistent with and complementary to those undertaken for the aged care workforce by other agencies (such as the Department of Employment, Education and Workplace Relations, Health Workforce Australia and the Community Services and Health Industry Skills Council). These agencies are represented on the Committee.
In 2011-12, the Department engaged in a number of consultations with stakeholders involved in aged care vocational education and training. These consultations included a forum for stakeholders currently delivering training in the Dementia Care Essentials initiative and site visits in several states and territories to Registered Training Organisations delivering training in aged care. This engagement provides an opportunity for feedback on training progression and ideas for future requirements in training for the aged care workforce.
Deliverable: Percentage of variance between actual and budgeted expenses.
2011-12 Target: ≤0.5% 2011-12 Actual: -5.6% Result: Not met.
The Department did not achieve the performance target for actual administered expenses. This is attributed to some training and workforce contractors not meeting milestones which resulted in a delay in program payments during 2011-12.
Program 4.3 aims to promote healthy and active ageing and to provide service support for smaller aged care services in rural and remote areas or providing care to Indigenous Australians under the Aged Care Service Improvement and Healthy Ageing Grants Fund (the Fund). Program 4.3 also aims to improve the way people access and interact with health and ageing information and support services to assist older people and their carers access care services appropriate to their needs. The Program also aims to resolve complaints about Australian Government subsidised aged care services and promote awareness of the rights of care recipients and reduce social isolation for residents in aged care homes by supporting community visitors.
The Aged Care Service Improvement and Healthy Ageing Grants Fund (the Fund)68 was established on 1 July 2011, consolidating the activities of 13 existing programs,69 and provides a large, flexible funding pool for initiatives aimed at aged care service improvement and promoting healthy and active ageing.
The objectives of the Fund are to better support activities that promote healthy and active ageing; respond to existing and emerging challenges including dementia care; build the capacity of aged care services to deliver high quality care; provide information and support to assist carers maintain their caring role; better support those services targeting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people; and support for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
Following implementation of administrative arrangements and the development of Fund Guidelines, the first open competitive funding round for the Fund was undertaken in 2011-12. Over 600 applications were received, with the Department offering agreements to 64 high quality applicants. These applications include large well established national projects and smaller community focused projects, as well as new projects, which due to the increased flexibility of the Fund were suitable for funding. Funding for the majority of successful applicants commenced in July 2012.
Throughout the year, the Department provided ongoing support to organisations to deliver culturally appropriate aged care and facilitated improved access to translation and interpreting services to increase and sustain access to aged care information and services to older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds.
In 2011-12, the Department continued to support appropriate care for people with dementia, their families and carers through Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Services and the National Dementia Support Program. The Department also worked with Alzheimer’s Australia to deliver the National Dementia Support Program providing services such as: National Dementia Helpline and Referral Service; support and counselling; information, awareness, education and training; and support for people with special needs. The number of calls to the 24 hour helpline has increased by over 2,000 since 2010-11. Engagement with group and one-on-one counselling services has exceeded targets and remains in high demand. Activity on the website has continued to increase since its launch in December 2010. The Program also specifically targeted hard to reach groups through the Special Access Liaison Officer project.
In 2011-12, the Department funded eleven projects to encourage better practice in aged care. Projects target clinical leadership in residential and/or community aged care and evidence translation projects in community aged care with the aim of encouraging and supporting the uptake of evidence-based, person-centred, better practice in aged care services.
Continence prevention and management activities continued to receive support during 2011-12, including funding for the National Continence Helpline which received over 24,000 calls in 2011-12. Funding was also provided for the National Public Toilet Map and Bladder Bowel websites to support consumers, carers and health professionals.
Deliverable: Consultation with stakeholders on implementation arrangements for the Fund.
2011-12 Reference Point: Timely initial contact and follow-up consultation where this is required.
Result: Met.
Over 100 stakeholders, including peak bodies, were directly consulted on implementation arrangements for the Fund and given the opportunity to provide comment on a discussion paper as part of the development of the Fund Guidelines. The discussion paper was also placed on the Department’s website to facilitate further information dissemination and engagement with other interested parties. Submissions and comments received as part of the consultation process were considered when finalising the Fund Guidelines.
KPI: Establishment of administrative arrangements and operational guidelines for the Fund.
2011-12 Reference Point: Administrative arrangements in place.
Result: Met.
The Department released operational guidelines for the Fund on 14 November 2011, which coincided with the advertising of the first open grant funding round.
Deliverable: Extension of relevant contracts to 30 June 2012, for funding recipients whose contracts expire prior to that date.
2011-12 Reference Point: Timely extension of relevant contracts for ongoing work.
Result: Met.
The Department extended all relevant contracts to 30 June 2012 for funding recipients whose grants were for an ongoing service, if that grant was due to expire prior to that date.
Deliverable: Announcement of the timing of future grant rounds through the Fund.
2011-12 Reference Point: Funding recipients, future applicants and other key stakeholders are aware of the timing and arrangements for grants rounds.
Result: Met.
Future grant funding round time frames will be advertised annually on the Department’s website and on grantsLINK.70
Deliverable: Funding allocated to support aged care service improvement and healthy ageing.
2011-12 Target: ≥$54.1m 2011-12 Actual: $49.4m Result: Substantially met.
Actual expenditure was lower than anticipated due to delays in some capital funding activities.
KPI: Activities undertaken to support service improvement and healthy ageing.
2011-12 Reference Point: Funded organisations provide improved support for target groups.
Result: Met.
Outcomes of the 2011-12 open competitive funding round include support for large well-established national projects, smaller community focused projects, and new projects that target people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, and older lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people. Funded activities include the National Dementia Support Program, Senior Australian of the Year Award and projects that promote healthy and active ageing and support for people from diverse backgrounds.
KPI: Percentage of grants taken up.
2011-12 Target: 100% 2011-12 Actual: 91% Result: Substantially met.
The percentage of grants was lower than anticipated due to delays in some capital grant activities.
In 2011-12, the Department continued to provide information and support to care recipients and carers through the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres, the Aged Care Australia website, Aged Care Assessment Teams and through many of the Home and Community Care (HACC) services.
Deliverable: A new front end for aged care commences operation.
2011-12 Reference Point: The new front end, including a national phone number for aged care clients and their carers, commences operations in 2011-12.
Result: Met.
The national number for information on aged care was implemented on 1 July 2011 and was supported with improvements to the Aged Care Australia website. On 20 April 2012, the Government responded to the Productivity Commission’s report Caring for Older Australians through the Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package. This package includes the Aged Care Gateway which will build upon the 2010 Budget measure.
Deliverable: Number of calls made to the Aged Care Information Line.
2011-12 Target: 108,400 2011-12 Actual: 76,815 Result: Not met.
The decrease in calls to the Aged Care Information Line (1800 500 853) is an expected outcome of the introduction of the national number for aged care information (1800 200 422). The Aged Care Information Line was transitioned into the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre telephony network on 1 September 2011 to support the implementation of the new national number for information on aged care.
KPI: Percentage increase in the number of calls received by the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres annually.
2011-12 Target: 5% 2011-12 Actual: 12% Result: Met.
Inclusion of the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres in the network to support the national number for information on aged care has increased call volume to centres by 12%.
Deliverable: Average number of searches per month on the Aged Care Australia website:
2011-12 Target: Home Finder: 22,500 2011-12 Actual: 55,046 Result: Met.
2011-12 Target: Community Care: 2,100 2011-12 Actual: 6,205 Result: Met.
The Aged Care Australia website has online search facilities that enable people to look for Australian Government subsidised aged care services to meet their needs. The target is an estimate of the number of possible searches per month.
Deliverable: Number of searches on the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre website.
2011-12 Target: 265,000 2011-12 Actual: 492,365 Result: Met.
Numbers of searches on the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centre website can fluctuate for various reasons, including the level of promotional activity undertaken by the centres. The focus for promotion in 2011-12 was on the national number for information on aged care.
Deliverable: Number of carer information resources distributed, including Carer Information Fact Sheets and Emergency Care Kits.
2011-12 Target: 285,000 2011-12 Actual: 319,045 Result: Met.
In 2011-12, the Department distributed a total of 319,045 carer information resources.
KPI: Stakeholders to participate in program development.
2011-12 Reference Point: Opportunity for stakeholders to participate through a range of avenues including through meetings, feedback, focus groups, committees and conferences.
Result: Met.
The Department worked with the Ageing Consultative Committee, aged care providers, professional bodies, consumer groups, government representatives and financial services sector to assist with program development and aged care reform.
In 2011-12, the Department continued to fund the National Aged Care Advocacy Program providing independent and confidential advocacy to consumers or potential consumers of aged care.
An improved complaints management framework has been implemented under the Aged Care Complaints Scheme. Under this framework the Complaints Scheme takes a more collaborative approach which focuses on early resolution. In line with this approach there has been a shift towards resolution techniques other than investigation including service provider resolution and conciliation.
Deliverable: Implementation of a new complaints management framework that supports a range of additional options for resolution of complaints.
2011-12 Reference Point: Complaints management framework for resolution of complaints implemented.
Result: Met.
Reformed complaints management framework implemented following review by Professor Merrilyn Walton.
Deliverable: Develop an enhanced survey for gaining feedback on their experience of the Aged Care Complaints Scheme.
2011-12 Reference Point: Revised satisfaction survey implemented.
Result: Met.
The satisfaction survey was enhanced to seek further information around the perceived fairness of the Complaints Scheme’s processes. It was also made available online, in addition to being included in correspondence sent directly to parties on finalisation of the process.
Deliverable: Percentage of complaints resolved by the Aged Care Complaints Scheme at intake.
2011-12 Target: 30% 2011-12 Actual: 61% Result: Met.
There is a slight variation in the calculation of this deliverable from previous years so that it now reflects the number of cases resolved during early resolution under the improved complaints framework. As such, the calculation has expanded to include cases at intake and assessment.
KPI: Satisfaction with the operation of the Complaints Scheme.
2011-12 Reference Point: Results of satisfaction surveys indicate that the majority of complainants and approved providers responding to the survey are satisfied with the operation of the Complaints Scheme.
Result: Met.
Results of surveys show a high level of satisfaction with the operation of the Complaints Scheme.
KPI: Percentage of complaints referred by the Aged Care Complaints Scheme for investigation completed within 90 days.
2011-12 Target: 76% 2011-12 Actual: 83% Result: Met.
The calculation of this deliverable now reflects the number of cases which were not resolved at the early resolution phases and progressed to the resolution phase. The resolution phase includes investigative and non-investigative techniques such as service provider resolution, conciliation and mediation. With a focus on early resolution and non-investigative resolution techniques, timeliness of resolution has improved from previous years.
KPI: Percentage of clients satisfied with the services delivered under the National Aged Care Advocacy Program.
2011-12 Target: 80% 2011-12 Actual: 99% Result: Met.
The percentage of clients satisfied with the services greatly exceeded the target.
Deliverable: All relevant information on compliance action taken by the Department is published on website in a timely manner.
2011-12 Target: 100% 2011-12 Actual: 100% Result: Met.
The Department has published all relevant information on the website in a timely manner.
The Community Visitors Scheme provides one-on-one volunteer visitors to residents of aged care homes who are socially and culturally isolated and whose quality of life would be improved by friendship and companionship. In 2011-12, the Department supported 153 community-based organisations to recruit, train and match volunteers to visit socially and culturally isolated residents and assist them to maintain links to the community.
Deliverable: Number of Community Visitors Scheme places funded.
2011-12 Target: 7,500 2011-12 Actual: 7,470 Result: Substantially met.
The Department supports 153 auspices to recruit volunteers for the Scheme. Nationally, 7,470 community visitor places were distributed to auspices.
KPI: Percentage of allocated visits achieved by the Community Visitors Scheme.
2011-12 Target: 100% 2011-12 Actual: 118% Result: Met.
The review of active visitor percentages achieved by auspices in 2011-12 indicates that target active visitor rates have been exceeded and demonstrates the high level of commitment to the program by stakeholders.
KPI: Organisations funded through the Community Visitors Scheme are efficient and provide services that meet clients needs.
2011-12 Reference Point: Activity report detailing the performance of Community Visitors Scheme auspices are received annually and meet the Department’s targets.
Result: Met.
Information gathered through stakeholder engagement and the review of written reports provided by auspices indicates that the program is effectively reducing social isolation among residents of aged care homes.
Deliverable: Each Community Visitors Scheme auspice provides a narrative report on the program deliverables.
2011-12 Reference Point: The narrative report outlines the programs achievements and barriers to delivery.
Result: Met.
All Community Visitor Scheme auspice organisations completed annual key performance indicator and written reports.
Deliverable: Produce relevant and timely evidence-based policy research.
2011-12 Reference Point: Relevant evidence-based policy research produced in a timely manner.
Result: Met.
During 2011-12, the Department undertook research and analysis to help inform the Government’s response to the Productivity Commission inquiry Caring for Older Australians, which was announced as part of the Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package.
Deliverable: Stakeholders participate in program and/or policy development.
2011-12 Reference Point: Stakeholders participated in program and/or policy development through avenues such as regular consultative committees, conferences, stakeholder engagement forums, surveys, submissions on Departmental discussion papers and meetings.
Result: Met.
The Minister’s Dementia Advisory Group met three times in 2011-12. During that period it provided a submission to the House of Representatives Inquiry into Dementia: Early Diagnosis and Intervention, and convened a Dementia in Primary Care Forum of peak bodies, clinicians and researchers to reach a broad consensus on the action needed to achieve a timely diagnosis of dementia and appropriate management. The Department worked with the Ageing Consultative Committee, aged care providers, professional bodies, consumer groups, government representatives and the financial services sector to assist with program development and aged care reform.
Deliverable: Percentage of variance between actual and budgeted expenses.
2011-12 Target: ≤0.5% 2011-12 Actual: -8.0% Result: Not met.
The Department did not achieve the performance target for actual administered expenses. This is attributable to lower than expected expenditure for a number of programs and delays in some capital grant activities. One of these delays has been the deferment of further implementation of the One Stop Shop measure while Government considered its response to the Productivity Commission’s recommendations relating to an Aged Care Gateway.
Program 4.4 aims to improve the integration and accountability of the aged care system through taking full funding and policy responsibility for aged care; provide alternatives to residential care to help people remain at home as long as possible and receive quality care while living in the community; support carers, including through the National Respite for Carers Program; and assist older people to lead independent, active and healthy lives.
From 1 July 2011, the Australian Government assumed funding responsibility for a national aged care system, including the transfer of aged care services provided under the HACC Program to the Commonwealth, except in Western Australia and Victoria where existing arrangements are continuing.
In 2011-12, the Department successfully negotiated the National Partnership Agreement (NPA) on Transitioning Responsibilities for Aged Care and Disability Services with participating states and territories. The NPA involved payments to participating state and territory governments for the provision of Specialist Disability Services to older people. The Department implemented new arrangements under which state and territory governments reimburse the Australian Government for the costs of younger people receiving Community Packaged and Residential Care services.
The Department developed new program documentation, including a funding agreement and program manual, during 2011-12 to support the new Commonwealth HACC Program from 1 July 2012. This documentation (developed from extensive consultation) provides clear and transparent guidance to service providers and the general community about the services delivered under the Commonwealth HACC Program and the obligations on service providers.
Deliverable: Funding agreements established to enable the transition to new HACC arrangements.
2011-12 Reference Point: Funding agreements established with a mix of local government, state agency and non-government providers, for the delivery of basic community care services to older people from 1 July 2012.
Result: Substantially met.
In 2011-12, funding agreements for the provision of Commonwealth HACC services were established with a mix of local government, state agency and non-government providers for the delivery of basic community care services to older people from 1 July 2012. The Department engaged with key stakeholders in all participating jurisdictions through a series of industry briefings, consultations and meetings regarding future administrative processes.
A collaborative process between the Commonwealth and state and territory government officers has ensured a smooth transition to the new Commonwealth HACC Program arrangements.
Deliverable: Develop an IT system to support Australian Government funding of HACC services.
2011-12 Reference Point: IT systems are established to support the new arrangements for HACC by 30 June 2012.
Result: Met.
The Aged Care Provider Portal developed in 2011-12 will continue to serve as the user interface between HACC service providers and the Commonwealth HACC Program. It enables streamlining of administrative processes across the Program and regular communication and information sharing with service providers. During 2011-12, the Department also developed an interim Grants Management System (iGMS) and expanded the National Approved Provider System to include HACC provider information.
Deliverable: Number of Home and Community Care services provided to eligible aged care clients in the community.
2011-12 Target: 1.8m 2011-12 Actual: 2.4m Result: Met.
In 2011-12, the Department funded the provision of 2.4 million HACC services to older clients in the community.
KPI: Access to basic community care services for older people is maintained during the HACC transition.
2011-12 Reference Point: Mix of service providers and service types is maintained.
Result: Met.
In 2011-12, access to basic community care services for older people continued to be provided during the HACC transition. A range of small and large non-government organisations as well as state and territory service providers continued to provide a mix of service types to older people. In the few cases where service providers ceased to deliver HACC services, alternative service providers were secured.
The HACC Program in Victoria and Western Australia continued to be jointly funded by the Commonwealth and State Governments to provide community care services to frail aged and younger people with disabilities and their carers. The Program continued to be administered under the HACC Review Agreement July 2007.
The consultation undertaken to develop the program framework for the Commonwealth HACC Program also informed the Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package announced on 20 April 2012. As part of these reforms a new Commonwealth Home Support Program will be established from 1 July 2015. This will consolidate the Commonwealth HACC Program, the National Respite for Carers Program, Day Therapy Centres and the Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged Program under the one program. This new approach will improve the interface between basic support at home and other programs within the aged care system, allowing appropriate linkages to be formed, so that care recipients can move smoothly through an end-to-end aged care system as their needs change.
In partnership with the Victorian and Western Australian State Governments, the Department also commenced a review of the HACC Review Agreement July 2007 in early 2012. The review aims to identify potential areas for streamlining and improving the administration and delivery of HACC services in Victoria and Western Australia. Consultation with HACC providers in each state has been an important part of the process and a report on the Review findings is expected to be finalised in early 2012-13.
In 2011-12, the Department continued support for people with incontinence. The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (the Scheme) assists eligible people who have permanent and severe incontinence to meet some of the costs of their incontinence products. The Scheme assisted over 104,000 people in 2011-12.
The Ambassador for Ageing participated in over 290 events in 2011-12, including national and local media interviews promoting healthy active ageing messages and ensuring our communities value and respect older Australians.
In 2011-12, a total of 1,419 new Community Aged Care Packages (CACPs) were allocated through the 2011 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) to help elderly people remain in their own homes for as long as possible. 203 Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) packages and 102 Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD) packages were also allocated through the 2011 ACAR, to assist people with more complex needs to remain living at home for as long as possible (refer to Program 4.7). The Department invited providers to apply for new packages through the ACAR, following a planning and consultative process involving Aged Care Planning Advisory Committees in each state and territory and consumer, carer and provider groups. Applications were assessed against the criteria set out in the Aged Care Act 1997 and the Allocation Principles through a competitive assessment process.
Deliverable: Number of Community Aged Care Packages allocated.
2011-12 Target: 46,311 2011-12 Actual: 46,588 Result: Met.
In 2011-12, the Department allocated through the 2011 ACAR, 1,419 CACPs to providers across New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and the Northern Territory to bring the total number of CACPs allocated to 46,588.
KPI: Percentage increase in the number of eligible care recipients provided with Community Aged Care Packages.
2011-12 Target: 3.0% 2011-12 Actual: 4.6% Result: Met.
The percentage increase in eligible care recipients that were provided with CACPs of 4.6% reflects an ongoing commitment to providing care in the home.
Deliverable: Utilisation of a single set of quality standards and reporting processes for community care programs.
2011-12 Reference Point: Quality reviews undertaken using a nationally consistent process standards.
Result: Met.
The Department reviewed services providing care and services through Community Aged Care Packages, Extended Aged Care at Home, Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia and the National Respite for Carers Program against the Community Care Common Standards.
KPI: Percentage of community aged care services visited as part of quality review.
2011-12 Target: >33% 2011-12 Actual: 24% Result: Substantially met.
Services are assessed at least once in a three-year cycle. In 2011-12, year one of the cycle, 374 services participated in quality reporting. 74% received an outcome rating consistent with effective quality improvement processes.
The Assistance with Care and Housing for the Aged Program supports older people who have insecure housing arrangements, or who are homeless. The Program helps them to remain in the community by facilitating access to housing and linking them to community care.
A range of support was provided including assistance with locating suitable accommodation, providing advice on housing applications, advocacy, coordinating removals and assisting access to accommodation-related legal and financial services. The Program also linked clients, where appropriate, to community care and welfare services to avoid premature admission to residential aged care. In 2011-12, the Australian Government funded 39 providers who assisted 4,239 clients.
In 2011-12, the Department extended funding to the Program’s providers until 30 June 2015 using the new streamlined funding agreements.
The Day Therapy Centre Program provides therapy services to both frail older people living in the community, and to low level care residents of Commonwealth funded residential aged care facilities.
Day Therapy Centre clients received a wide range of therapy services such as physiotherapy, occupational therapy, speech therapy and podiatry which aim to optimise their independence to allow them to remain in the community or in low level residential care, for as long as possible. In 2011-12, the Australian Government funded 140 Day Therapy Centres which assisted 56,315 clients.
In 2011-12, funding arrangements were extended until 30 June 2015 resulting in new, streamlined service delivery arrangements for service providers.
The National Respite for Carers Program contributes to the support and maintenance of caring relationships between carers and the people for whom they care by providing respite, facilitating access to information, and providing other support for carers.
In 2011-12, the National Respite for Carers Program provided funding for more than 650 respite services Australia wide as well as a network of 54 Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres. National Respite for Carers Program respite services are targeted to carers of:
Respite was delivered in a variety of settings including in the person’s home, day centres as well as overnight cottage respite. In 2011-12, Respite Services provided 30,906 carers with respite services.
In 2011-12, 511 contracts were extended until 30 June 2014 using new streamlined funding arrangements, resulting in reduced administrative and reporting requirements for providers. This extension of contractual arrangements has ensured that planned respite for carers can be provided with surety across Australia.
The 54 Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres provided information about community, aged care, disability and other support services available locally or across Australia for older people, people with a disability and their carers. They also linked carers with community services in their area and assisted carers with short-term and emergency respite based on assessed need. In 2011-12 the Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres provided respite and carer support for 73,170 carers.
The National Carer Counselling Program provided short-term emotional and psychological support services to carers in order to reduce carer stress, improve carer coping skills and facilitate, wherever possible, the continuation of the caring role. The National Carer Counselling Program is delivered through the network of Carers Associations in each state and territory. In 2011-12, the National Carer Counselling Program provided support for 5,134 carers.
Deliverable: Number of respite services provided to eligible clients in the community.
2011-12 Target: 93,000 2011-12 Actual: 109,210 Result: Met.
In 2011-12, more than 109,210 carers received assistance through the National Respite for Carers Program. This figure includes 30,906 carers assisted with respite, 73,170 carers assisted to receive information, support and emergency respite through Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres and 5,134 carers who received counselling services.
Respite services funded under the National Respite for Carers Program provided more than 5,100,192 hours of respite in 2011-12.
In 2011-12, a further 200 Consumer Directed Respite Care (CDRC) packages were allocated to Commonwealth Respite and Carelink Centres, bringing the total number of CDRC packages to 400 across Australia. This enabled carers greater control over the respite services and supports they receive.
Deliverable: Deliver a National Carer Strategy to improve the rights, choices and opportunities of carers of older Australians.
2011-12 Reference Point: National Carer Strategy delivered by the end of 2011.
Result: Met.
The National Carer Strategy was launched on 3 August 2011.
KPI: Improved access for carers to information, respite and carer support.
2011-12 Reference Point: Carers included in the development of the new front end of the aged care.
Result: Met.
Carers were involved in the 2011-12 consultations process in relation to the New Front End. Carers were also given opportunities to provide input through submissions for the Productivity Commission’s inquiry Caring for Older Australians.
In 2011-12, the Department continued to support the creation of permanent part-time positions for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in aged care services nationally. These positions contribute to the Government’s commitment to halve the gap in employment outcomes for Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians.
Deliverable: Number of paid positions for aged care Indigenous workers through the National Partnership for Indigenous Economic Participation.
2011-12 Target: ≥650 2011-12 Actual: 754 Result: Met.
In 2011-12, under the National Partnership on Indigenous Economic Participation, funding was provided for the employment and training of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in aged and community care services throughout Australia, largely in rural and remote locations. This has led to a significant increase in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander workforce in the aged care sector.
Deliverable: Produce relevant and timely evidence-based policy research.
2011-12 Reference Point: Relevant evidence-based policy research produced in a timely manner.
Result: Met.
During 2011-12, the Department undertook research and analysis to help inform the Government’s response to the Productivity Commission inquiry Caring for Older Australians, which was announced as part of the Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package.
Deliverable: Stakeholders participate in program and/or policy development.
2011-12 Reference Point: Stakeholders participated in program and/or policy development through avenues such as regular consultative committees, conferences, stakeholder engagement forums, surveys, submissions on Departmental discussion papers and meetings.
Result: Met.
The Department worked with the Ageing Consultative Committee, aged care providers, professional bodies, consumer groups, government representatives and the financial services sector to assist with program development and aged care reform.
Deliverable: Percentage of variance between actual and budgeted expenses.
2011-12 Target: ≤0.5% 2011-12 Actual: -2.2% Result: Not met.
The Department did not achieve the performance target for actual administered expenses. Actual expenditure was lower than anticipated due to new community aged care places becoming operational more slowly than modeled.
Program 4.5 aims to provide appropriate aged care services to culturally and linguistically diverse communities, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
The Australian Government is committed to delivering aged care that is appropriate for all older people regardless of race, culture, language, gender, economic circumstances or geographic location. Equitable access to aged care services for people from all culturally and linguistically diverse communities, regardless of setting, is ensured through the Aged Care Act 1997.
The Government supports delivery of culturally appropriate aged care services to older Indigenous Australians, particularly those in rural and remote areas, through the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program. Twenty-nine services are currently funded under the Program. In addition, development continues for two new flexible services in the Northern Territory at Mutitjulu (Central Australia) and in East Arnhem Land.
Deliverable: Number of flexible places available for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
2011-12 Target: 700 2011-12 Actual: 675 Result: Substantially met.
The National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program supports flexible high and low care residential places, as well as flexible community care places. In recent years, the allocation of new places under the program has been weighted towards more expensive high care places, providing more care for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with complex care needs.
Deliverable: Produce relevant and timely evidence-based policy research.
2011-12 Reference Point: Relevant evidence-based policy research produced in a timely manner.
Result: Met.
During 2011-12 the Department undertook research and analysis to help inform the Government’s response to the Productivity Commission inquiry Caring for Older Australians, which was announced as part of the Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package.
Deliverable: Stakeholders participate in program and/or policy development.
2011-12 Reference Point: Stakeholders participated in program and/or policy development through avenues such as regular consultative committees, conferences, stakeholder engagement forums, surveys, submissions on Departmental discussion papers and meetings.
Result: Met.
The Department worked with the Ageing Consultative Committee, aged care providers, professional bodies, consumer groups, government representatives and financial services sector to assist with program development and aged care reform.
Deliverable: Percentage of variance between actual and budgeted expenses.
2011-12 Target: ≤0.5% 2011-12 Actual: -0.4% Result: Met.
During 2011-12, the Department managed Program 4.5 funds effectively and achieved a variance of -0.4%.
Program 4.6 aims to ensure the availability of high quality, resident-centred care, by promoting equitable access to residential aged care. The Program is working towards financial security for residents to support their choice of an aged care home, improve the quality of aged care services through compliance with minimum standards, and encourage continuous improvement.
In the 2011 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR), the Department allocated 7,933 new residential care places across Australia. The ACAR is a competitive process that allocates new Australian Government funded aged care places to approved providers. Aged Care Planning Advisory Committees provide advice to the Department on the number and distribution of places in each state and territory. Places are allocated to providers who best demonstrate that they can meet the needs of the ageing population in their local region.
The 2011 ACAR was the fourth ACAR Round in a row in which residential aged care places have been under allocated. This is in contrast to community aged care where the number of applications received far exceeded the available places.
Deliverable: Number of residential aged care places per 1,000 people aged 70 years or over.
2011-12 Target: ≤88 2011-12 Actual: 84.4 Result: Substantially met.
As at 30 June 2012, there were 84.4 operational residential aged care places per 1,000 persons aged 70 and over, which was less than the target due to an under allocation of residential aged care places across a number of regions over past ACARs.
KPI: Increase in the proportion of residential aged care places that become operational within two years of being allocated.71
2011-12 Target: >21% 2011-12 Actual: Not quantifiable Result: Not applicable.
The proportion of residential aged care places that become operational within two years is measured against residential places that are allocated through an ACAR. The results of the 2009-10 ACAR were announced 8 December 2010, with the majority of places allocated to providers between the end of December 2010 and April 2011. As such, there has not been a full two-year allocation period (in some cases less than 14 months) against which this indicator can be quantified.
As part of the 2011 ACAR, the Department announced the results of round one of the expanded zero real interest loans initiative, with 25 offers totalling $150 million for the development of 972 new residential aged care places and 147 provisionally allocated places.
Deliverable: Total value of zero real interest loans offered to aged care providers to build in locations where they may not have previously been prepared to invest.
2011-12 Target: $150m 2011-12 Actual: $150m Result: Met.
The first round of the expanded zero real interest loans initiative, advertised as part of the 2011 ACAR, resulted in offers totalling $150m to residential aged care providers to build services in targeted areas.
The Department allocated capital grants to 19 residential aged care services to support the improvement of building quality and standards, and the construction of accommodation for people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities, people from non-English speaking backgrounds and people who live in rural or remote areas. As part of the Australian Government’s commitment to provide capital funding for specialist residential aged care services for people who are homeless, or at risk of becoming homeless, one capital grant was provided for the construction of a 60 place residential aged care facility for older homeless people in Orange, New South Wales.
Deliverable: Improved analysis and reporting on relative availability and use of aged care for various groups within the community.
2011-12 Reference Point: Incorporation in published reports of additional information on availability and use of aged care for various groups within the community.
Result: Met.
A final report on the evaluation of the Consumer Directed Care initiative was delivered by the Department in January 2012. The findings of the evaluation were taken into account in the Government’s response to the Productivity Commission’s report into aged care.
On 20 April 2012, the Government announced a number of measures within the Living Longer Living Better package to provide for more equitable access to Residential Aged Care. These measures include:
In 2011-12, the Department continued its focus on how to better regulate aged care providers without unnecessarily burdening them. The Department implemented a number of initiatives such as strengthening the regulation of aged care accommodation bonds, following extensive consultation with aged care sector stakeholders.
The amendments to the User Rights Principles 1997 that followed this consultation introduced a new Governance Standard; improved disclosure to the Department, aged care recipients, prospective aged care recipients or their representatives; and expanded the permitted uses to allow for appropriate capital expenditure. Information about the changes to the User Rights Principles 1997 was disseminated by electronic media and targeted communication strategies to approved providers. These reforms, which were part of the National Health Reforms, improve protection for more than 65,000 aged care recipients who have paid more than $12 billion in accommodation bonds without placing an undue regulatory burden on approved providers.
Deliverable: Percentage of accommodation bond refunds paid through the Accommodation Bond Guarantee Scheme refunded within the statutory time frame.
2011-12 Target: ≥95% 2011-12 Actual: Not applicable. Result: Not applicable.
The Accommodation Bond Guarantee Scheme provides security to residents of aged care facilities by refunding any outstanding bonds in the event that a provider becomes insolvent or bankrupt and cannot repay the bond. No refunds were required in 2011-12.
Deliverable: Enhancements to the accreditation process are implemented in consultation with stakeholders.
2011-12 Reference Point: Changes to the Accreditation Grant Principles will be implemented.
Result: Met.
Enhancements to the accreditation process were made in 2010-11, with changes implemented from 20 May 2011. During 2011-12, the transitional arrangements of moving from the Accreditation Grant Principles 1999 to the new Accreditation Grant Principles 2011 continued.
Deliverable: Number of annual reviews of Aged Care Funding Instrument funding claims to ensure residents are correctly funded.
2011-12 Target: 20,000 2011-12 Actual: 16,000 Result: Substantially met.
In 2011-12, the Department enhanced its approach to the review of Aged Care funding claims to better target resources to those services at highest risk of inaccurate claiming. This enhanced approached has meant that some review visits were more detailed and considered a larger number of claims. This is balanced by, in some cases, less intensive reviews in other services or a reduced frequency of visits. As a result, the number of reviews undertaken is less than the target for 2011-12.
Deliverable: Percentage of providers with sanctions imposed where immediate and severe risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of care recipients is identified.
2011-12 Target: 100% 2011-12 Actual: 100% Result: Met.
Appropriate sanctions were imposed on all approved providers where immediate and severe risk to the safety, health or wellbeing of care recipients was identified.
KPI: Identified non-compliance is effectively actioned.
2011-12 Reference Point: The Department takes appropriate action against approved providers of aged care following identified non-compliance.
Result: Met.
The Department responded quickly so that all instances of identified non-compliance were rectified appropriately.
Deliverable: Produce relevant and timely evidence-based policy research.
2011-12 Reference Point: Relevant evidence-based policy research produced in a timely manner.
Result: Met.
During 2011-12, the Department undertook research and analysis to help inform the Government’s response to the Productivity Commission inquiry Caring for Older Australians, which was announced as part of the Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package.
Deliverable: Stakeholders participate in program and/or policy development.
2011-12 Reference Point: Stakeholders participated in program and/or policy development through avenues such as regular consultative committees, conferences, stakeholder engagement forums, surveys, submissions on Departmental discussion papers and meetings.
Result: Met.
The Department worked with the Ageing Consultative Committee, aged care providers, professional bodies, consumer groups, government representatives and the financial services sector to assist with program development and aged care reform.
Deliverable: Percentage of variance between actual and budgeted expenses.
2011-12 Target: ≤0.5% 2011-12 Actual: -1.8% Result: Not met.
The Department did not achieve the performance target for actual administered expenses attributable mainly to delays in the take-up of Zero Real Interest Loans and lower than expected capital payments as not all milestones were met.
Program 4.7 aims to trial innovative approaches to the delivery of community and residential aged care services to respond to the needs and preferences of older people; improve the care of long stay older patients in hospitals; and enable older people with complex care needs to remain in their home, should they wish to do so, through community care packages.
In 2011-12, the Department addressed the increasing demand by consumers to have a greater say in the type of care and services they receive by allocating a further 500 Consumer Directed Care (CDC) packages and 200 Consumer Directed Respite Care (CDRC) packages, adding to the 500 CDC and 200 CDRC packages allocated in 2010-11.
Deliverable: Number of Consumer Directed Care packages allocated.
2011-12 Target: 500 2011-12 Actual: 500 Result: Met.
A further 500 Consumer Directed Care packages were allocated to approved providers in 2011-12, adding to the 500 packages allocated in 2010-11, as part of a two-year pilot.
KPI: Percentage of Consumer Directed Care packages allocated.
2011-12 Target: 100% 2011-12 Actual: 100% Result: Met.
All of the 500 Consumer Directed Care packages available in 2011-12 were allocated to approved providers. The packages were allocated through an invitation to apply and a competitive assessment process.
In 2011-12, the Australian Government provided $106.1 million to state and territory governments under the National Partnership Agreement on Financial Assistance for Long Stay Older Patients. This National Partnership Agreement provides funding of $277.1 million over three years commencing in 2011-12 to recognise that there are some older people in public hospitals who have finished acute and post-acute care, and have remained in hospital longer than would otherwise be necessary, while they secure a permanent residential or community aged care place.
The Transition Care Program provides a tailored package of care including low intensity therapy, nursing support and personal care. It is provided after a hospital episode in order to complete the older person’s restorative process and optimise their functional capacity, while assisting them and their family or carer to make long-term arrangements where necessary. In many cases, this means they can return home, rather than enter residential care prematurely. The Transition Care Program is a joint initiative of the Australian Government and all state and territory governments.
Deliverable: Number of operational transition care places.
2011-12 Target: 4,000 2011-12 Actual: 4,000 Result: Met.
A measure introduced in 2008-09 provided for 2,000 places which were fully allocated by 31 March 2011. All places were made operational during 2011-12, bringing the national total of transition care places to 4,000.
KPI: The functional capacity of older people improves during a transition care episode.
2011-12 Reference Point: The percentage of people whose functional capacity improves during a transition care episode is 60% (measured using the Modified Barthel Index).
Result: Met.
In 2011-12, 60% of people who received transition care gained functional improvement.
KPI: The percentage of people who return home after their transition care episode with or without support.
2011-12 Reference Point: The percentage of people who return home after their transition care episode is 45%.
Result: Met.
In 2011-12, 49% of people discharged from the Transition Care Program returned home either with or without community care support, rather than needing residential aged care services.
The Extended Aged Care at Home (EACH) and Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia (EACHD) packages assist older Australians with complex care needs to remain living in their own homes for as long as possible. Australian Government subsidies enable care recipients to receive individually tailored packages of care, including personal assistance with daily living activities, clinical care and other home support services.
A total of 203 EACH packages and 102 EACHD packages were allocated through the 2011 Aged Care Approvals Round to help people with complex care needs remain in their own homes for as long as possible.
Deliverable: Number of Extended Aged Care at Home packages allocated.
2011-12 Target: 8,311 2011-12 Actual: 8,520 Result: Met.
In 2011-12, the Department allocated 203 Extended Aged Care at Home packages as part of the 2011 Aged Care Approvals Round.
Deliverable: Number of Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia packages allocated.
2011-12 Target: 4,090 2011-12 Actual: 4,192 Result: Met.
In 2011-12, the Department allocated 102 Extended Aged Care at Home Dementia packages as part of the Aged Care Approvals Round.
KPI: Percentage of community care packages for people with complex needs allocated.
2011-12 Target: 100% 2011-12 Actual: 109% Result: Met.
To address the shortfall in applications for residential aged care places, an additional 26 flexible care places (to the 279 originally made available) were allocated in Western Australia through the 2011 Aged Care Approvals Round.
Deliverable: Produce relevant and timely evidence-based policy research.
2011-12 Reference Point: Relevant evidence-based policy research produced in a timely manner.
Result: Met.
During 2011-12, the Department undertook research and analysis to help inform the Government’s response to the Productivity Commission inquiry Caring for Older Australians, which was announced as part of the Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package.
Deliverable: Stakeholders participate in program and/or policy development.
2011-12 Reference Point: Stakeholders participate in program and/or policy development through avenues such as regular consultative committees, conferences, stakeholder engagement forums, surveys, submissions on Departmental discussion papers and meetings.
Result: Met.
The Department worked with the Ageing Consultative Committee, aged care providers, professional bodies, consumer groups, government representatives and the financial services sector to assist with program development and aged care reform.
Deliverable: Percentage of variance between actual and budgeted expenses.
2011-12 Target: ≤0.5% 2011-12 Actual: 0.3% Result: Met.
During 2011-12, the Department managed Program 4.7 funds effectively and achieved a variance of 0.3%.
| (A) Budget Estimate1 2011-12 $’000 | (B) Actual 2011-12 $’000 | Variation (Column B minus Column A) $’000 | |
| Program 4.1: Aged Care Assessment | |||
| Administered Expenses | |||
| Ordinary Annual Services (Annual Appropriation Bill 1) | 1,180 | 255 | ( 925) |
| Departmental Expenses | |||
| Departmental Appropriation2 | 2,895 | 2,891 | ( 4) |
| Expenses not requiring appropriation in the current year3 | 131 | 134 | 3 |
| Total for Program 4.1 | 4,206 | 3,280 | ( 926) |
| Program 4.2: Aged Care Workforce | |||
| Administered Expenses | |||
| Ordinary Annual Services (Annual Appropriation Bill 1) | 86,560 | 80,261 | ( 6,299) |
| Departmental Expenses | |||
| Departmental Appropriation2 | 28,398 | 28,141 | ( 257) |
| Expenses not requiring appropriation in the current year3 | 1,288 | 1,305 | 17 |
| Total for Program 4.2 | 116,246 | 109,707 | ( 6,539) |
| Program 4.3: Ageing Information and Support | |||
| Administered Expenses | |||
| Ordinary Annual Services (Annual Appropriation Bill 1) | 103,534 | 89,582 | ( 13,952) |
| Departmental Expenses | |||
| Departmental Appropriation2 | 66,595 | 66,308 | ( 287) |
| Expenses not requiring appropriation in the current year3 | 4,378 | 4,441 | 63 |
| Total for Program 4.3 | 174,507 | 160,331 | ( 14,176) |
| Program 4.4: Community Care | |||
| Administered Expenses | |||
| Ordinary Annual Services (Annual Appropriation Bill 1) | 270,234 | 262,739 | ( 7,495) |
| Special appropriations | |||
| Aged Care Act 1997 – Community Care Subsidies | 574,666 | 561,811 | ( 12,855) |
| National Health Act 1953 – Continence Aids Payment Scheme | 52,164 | 51,607 | ( 557) |
| Departmental Expenses | |||
| Departmental Appropriation2 | 50,100 | 49,729 | ( 371) |
| Expenses not requiring appropriation in the current year3 | 3,630 | 3,681 | 51 |
| Total for Program 4.4 | 950,794 | 929,568 | ( 21,226) |
| Program 4.5: Culturally Appropriate Aged Care | |||
| Administered Expenses | |||
| Ordinary Annual Services (Annual Appropriation Bill 1) | 22,451 | 22,452 | 1 |
| Departmental Expenses | |||
| Departmental Appropriation2 | 5,320 | 5,202 | ( 118) |
| Expenses not requiring appropriation in the current year3 | 241 | 242 | 1 |
| Total for Program 4.5 | 28,012 | 27,896 | ( 116) |
| Program 4.6: Residential Care | |||
| Administered Expenses | |||
| Ordinary Annual Services (Annual Appropriation Bill 1) | 62,491 | 45,465 | ( 17,026) |
| Special appropriations | |||
| Aged Care Act 1997 – Residential Care Subsidies | 7,450,094 | 7,420,201 | ( 29,893) |
| Aged Care (Bond Security) Act 2006 | – | – | – |
| Unfunded Expenses – zero interest loans | |||
| concessional loan discount | 53,846 | 16,267 | ( 37,579) |
| Departmental Expenses | |||
| Departmental Appropriation2 | 33,059 | 32,768 | ( 291) |
| Expenses not requiring appropriation in the current year3 | 2,857 | 2,894 | 37 |
| Total for Program 4.6 | 7,602,347 | 7,517,595 | ( 84,752) |
| Program 4.7: Flexible Aged Care | |||
| Administered Expenses | |||
| Ordinary Annual Services (Annual Appropriation Bill 1) | 1,760 | 2,200 | 440 |
| Special appropriations | |||
| Aged Care Act 1997 – Flexible Care Subsidies | 832,935 | 834,932 | 1,997 |
| Departmental Expenses | |||
| Departmental Appropriation2 | 7,812 | 7,710 | ( 102) |
| Expenses not requiring appropriation in the current year3 | 354 | 358 | 4 |
| Total for Program 4.7 | 842,861 | 845,200 | 2,339 |
| Outcome 4 Totals by appropriation type | |||
| Administered Expenses | |||
| Ordinary Annual Services (Annual Appropriation Bill 1) | 548,210 | 502,954 | ( 45,256) |
| Special appropriations | 8,909,859 | 8,868,552 | ( 41,307) |
| Unfunded expenses | 53,846 | 16,267 | ( 37,579) |
| Departmental Expenses | |||
| Departmental Appropriation2 | 194,179 | 192,749 | ( 1,430) |
| Expenses not requiring appropriation in the current year3 | 12,879 | 13,055 | 176 |
| Total expenses for Outcome 4 | 9,718,973 | 9,593,577 | ( 125,396) |
| Average Staffing Level (Number) | 1,262 | 1,245 | 17 |
Produced by the Portfolio Strategies Division, Australian
Government Department of Health and Ageing.
URL: http://www.health.gov.au/internet/annrpt/publishing.nsf/Content/annual-report-1112-toc~11-12part2~11-12part2.2~11-12outcome4
If you would like to know more or give us your comments contact: annrep@health.gov.au
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