The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN‑ACC) will apply to all permanent aged care residents when it replaces the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) on 1 October 2022.
More than 68% of residents have already undertaken an AN‑ACC assessment, which are being run alongside current ACFI funding arrangements, during the ‘shadow assessment period’.
The department is aware that providers undertake service and resource planning around March-April each year and is aware that providers are keen to receive further information on both the outcomes of the current shadow assessment process and the AN‑ACC starting price. To ensure this timing is possible, the department strongly encourages facilities to continue to undertake assessments during COVID-19 where this is safe to do so.
AN‑ACC assessors are experienced working in aged care settings and have:
- clinical qualifications as registered nurses, occupational therapists, or physiotherapists
- undergone comprehensive training on the AN‑ACC assessment process.
- a requirement to be up to date with their COVID-19 vaccinations (including boosters).
As per Australian Health Protection Principal Committee recommendations, assessors will undertake a rapid antigen test (RAT) before entering a residential aged care facility (using their own RAT). They will do one per day if entering more than one facility where there are high rates of COVID-19 in the community. Assessors will comply with jurisdictional health directives and the COVID-Safe plans of facilities, which should include a suitable space for assessments to limit close contact.
In outbreak situations, assessors will not return until an appropriate time has passed, and only continue to work onsite at the discretion of COVID-19 affected services not in complete lock down.
More information
AN‑ACC is part of reforms to aged care in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
A fact sheet has been developed to assist providers understand what they need to do during the shadow assessment period.
Visit our Residential Aged Care Funding Reform webpage for more information on AN‑ACC.