The Australian Government has approved the continued development of the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding model as a possible replacement for the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI). AN-ACC forms part of a suite of reforms being considered by the Australian Government to transform aged care in response to the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Over a 12-month period from April 2021, everyone living in an Australian Government-funded residential aged care facility (except residents who are nearing end of life) will receive an AN-ACC assessment. As these assessments will run in addition to current ACFI funding arrangements – this period is referred to as the 'shadow assessment period'.
During the shadow assessment period, residential aged care facilities will be contacted by one of six independent Assessment Management Organisations (AMOs) located around Australia, who have been contracted to conduct these assessments on behalf of the Australian Government.
All AN-ACC assessors have clinical qualifications as registered nurses, occupational therapists, or physiotherapists, and have considerable experience working in aged care settings. They have also undergone comprehensive training on the AN-ACC assessment process.
The Aged Care Amendment (Aged Care Recipient Classification) Principles 2021 were registered on the Federal Register of Legislative Instruments on 29 March 2021 to enable the 'shadow assessment period' in the residential aged care sector. The amendments set out the:
- procedures for assessment and for classification decisions
- classification levels for respite and permanent care recipients
- requirement that approved providers allow assessors access to aged care services for the purposes of assessment.
The department has developed a fact sheet to assist providers understand what they need to do during the shadow assessment period.
During the shadow assessment period, current funding and payment arrangements will still apply. Providers will need to continue to claim monthly from Services Australia and maintain their current ACFI submission and review processes.
More information
Visit our Residential Aged Care Funding Reform webpage, which includes a series of reports that provide detailed information about AN-ACC:
- Resource Utilisation and Classification Study (RUCS)
- Proposal for a New Residential Aged Care Funding Model – Consultation Paper
- Report on the trial of AN-ACC
- Further information such as fact sheets
Any questions, complaints, or concerns can be referred to the Department of Health:
- By phone (02) 6289 1773 from 8 am to 6 pm AEST
- By email ANACC.shadow@health.gov.au