Better health and ageing for all Australians

Aged Care Information

Service Development Assistance Panel (SDAP) - Information and Forms

The Remote & Indigenous Support Section provides assistance, input and support for the SDAP

In this section:

What is the SDAP?

On 22 September 2008, the Australian Government announced the $46 million Indigenous Aged Care Plan. The Indigenous Aged Care Plan recognises a need to provide tailored and flexible aged care to older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. One of the key elements under the Indigenous Aged Care Plan is a Support Program to provide a range of capacity building, professional advice and support to services in remote and very remote areas and to eligible aged care services providing aged care to Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and other Australians. The establishment of the Service Development Assistance Panel (SDAP) is a component of the Support Program. The SDAP consists of suitably qualified individuals and/or organisations engaged by the Department of Health and Ageing (the department) to provide expert assistance and guidance to achieve the goals set out in the Support Program. The SDAP will deliver expert assistance, guidance and advice across five key functional areas:
  • Care Delivery;
  • Governance and Management;
  • Financial Management;
  • Quality Delivery (assistance with meeting quality care standards); and
  • Locum Relief.
All SDAP members have been carefully selected to ensure they demonstrate cultural sensitivity and awareness. They are required to communicate sensitively and effectively with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples and other Australians and conduct themselves in a manner that is both professional and respectful. SDAP members are required to adhere to appropriate confidentiality and privacy requirements. If required, data collection processes will be culturally sensitive, ethical and respect the privacy of individuals and their communities.

SDAP Objectives

The objectives of the SDAP are to:
  • build the capacity of remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care service providers to promote and maintain quality aged care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people;
  • promote good practice and continuous improvement in the delivery of professional development and inclusive practices within the remote and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander aged care sector; and
  • provide rapid response emergency assistance to eligible services on an ‘as needs’ basis.

How can you access SDAP services?


This service lets you choose from a panel of experts that will work with you to improve key areas of your aged care service – from meeting your reporting and regulatory requirements through to delivering better care. There are five key functional areas of business where you can get hands on help. These are:
  • Care Delivery – improving care for people in your Aged Care Facility;
  • Governance and Management – guidance for staff and managers about how they work;
  • Financial Management – using your money more effectively and better reporting;
  • Quality Delivery – setting and meeting the required industry standards; and
  • Locum Relief – getting temporary staff to fill-in when key people are away.

Who can access the SDAP?

Approximately 300 aged care services will be eligible to receive business support through the SDAP. These include:
  • 28 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Services;
  • 33 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Residential Aged Care Services under the Aged Care Act 1997; and
  • approximately 240 mainstream services providing aged care in remote and very remote areas (note: These services will not be eligible for locum relief assistance. However, they will be offered assistance in all the other key functional categories).
To check your eligibility for SDAP, please contact the SDAP Hotline on 1800 850 744

What are some of the benefits of using the SDAP?


There are a many benefits of accessing the SDAP. Some of these include:
  • access to expert guidance and advice across a range of five key functional areas;
  • select from a panel of government appointed professionals assessed as being culturally aware and sensitive;
  • select from a panel who can provide aid, assistance and solutions while dealing with the difficulties and needs of providing services within remote and very remote areas;
  • improve the standard of your service; and
  • enhance the overall quality of your aged care.

Can I get more than one business expert?


There are over 30 registered expert organisations which can help build the capacity of your aged care service, promote good business practices and assist with continuous improvement over the above five key functional areas. You can choose the expert that suits your needs or alternatively the department can assign an expert to work with you. You are able to take advantage of more than one expert depending on the areas of your aged care service that require improvement. Most Panel members specialise in more than one of the five key functional areas.

Who picked the experts on the panel?


The panel is made up of individuals and organisations assessed, by the department through an open tender process in February 2010, as having relevant expertise in the five key functional areas. One of the key criteria for suitability and inclusion on the SDAP was the ability to display experience while respecting the unique cultural aspects of working in and with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.

Further Information on the SDAP

There are a number of ways to find out more about the SDAP: