Reminder – call for submissions: Managing Prudential Risk in Residential Aged Care
The department is calling for submissions in response to its discussion paper, Managing Prudential Risk in Residential Aged Care.
The call for submissions opened on 1 February 2019 and closes on 15 March 2019.
More information is available on the Consultation Hub.
Update – publishing home care pricing information on My Aged Care
A recent letter from the Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care, the Hon Ken Wyatt AM, MP, provided an update to all home care providers on further improvements to home care pricing.
From April 2019, home care providers should start publishing their pricing information using the new pricing Schedule. This will be mandatory from 1 July 2019. There will also be changes to the way administration costs can be charged.
This is in addition to the existing legislated requirement under the User Rights Principles 2014 that since 30 November 2018 all home care providers must have published their current pricing information on My Aged Care. The department has commenced action to ensure compliance. For those providers who have not complied, please immediately publish the required information.
A fact sheet outlining the components of the Schedule and implementation arrangements, was also sent to all home care providers.
More information, including and indicative copy of the Schedule, is now available on the department's website.
Recent changes to home care
In February 2019, the Government announced the release of an additional 10,000 home care packages across all levels. Packages are being released from 12 February 2019 until 30 June 2020.
These are in addition to the 5,000 level 3 and 5,000 level 4 packages announced in December 2018, which are being released through to 30 June 2019.
From 1 July 2019, the maximum basic daily fees for home care will reduce by:
- $400 for level 1
- $200 for level 2
- $100 for level 3.
The Government will increase the value of a package by the same amount to maintain the total value of each package level.
From 20 March 2019, the dementia and cognition supplement, and veterans’ supplement in home care will increase from 10 per cent to 11.5 per cent. More information about the supplements, including eligibility, is available on the department’s website.