Operational hours over the holiday period
My Aged Care
The My Aged Care contact centre (1800 200 422) and provider and assessor helpline (1800 836 799) will be closed on the national public holidays over Christmas:
- Wednesday 25 December 2019
- Thursday 26 December 2019
- Wednesday 1 January 2020
Otherwise, normal hours will apply:
- 8am to 8pm weekdays
- 10am to 2pm Saturdays
Department of Health
Christmas shutdown will run from 3pm Tuesday 24 December 2019 until 8:30am Thursday 2 January 2020.
Reminder to participate in consultation - National Framework for Action on Dementia 2015 – 2019
The National Framework for Action on Dementia 2015 - 2019 (the Framework) guides the development and implementation of actions, plans and policies to reduce the risk of dementia and improve outcomes for people with dementia and their carers.
In order to explore the effectiveness of the Framework, we are seeking input via public consultation to ensure the best outcomes for people with dementia and their carers.
This consultation will:
- evaluate the existing Framework
- provide an opportunity to inform and scope options for national strategies to address dementia in the future.
You can take part in the consultation process by completing an online survey.
The consultation closes Tuesday 31 December 2019.
More information on the Framework can be found on the department’s website.
New aged care assessment arrangements webinar
On 11 December 2019 the department delivered a webinar on the development and implementation of new aged care assessment arrangements. The new arrangements will commence from April 2021 and will provide streamlined consumer assessment for access to aged care services.
The webinar covered changes to the existing assessment system, an overview of implementation arrangements and a live question and answer session. A recording of this webinar is now available.
The department is currently reviewing all questions submitted during the live broadcast. These will be used to inform topics for regular communication as we transition towards the implementation of the new arrangements. Another webinar is planned for 12 February 2020 where common themes arising from stakeholder questions will be addressed.
Home Care Provider Survey
A reminder to all home care providers to complete the department's short survey on care and services they provide under a home care package. The survey has been open since 25 November and will close on 31 December 2019.
We urge all home care providers to participate in this survey. Your participation is essential to ensure we form an accurate national picture about the types, volume and cost of care and services being delivered under the Home Care Packages Program. You should already hold the information being sought, as it aligns with clients' monthly statements.
This information will be used to help address an important information gap and continue to improve the Home Care Packages Program now and in the future. We will provide feedback to the sector based on the analysis of information received.
If you have not received an email or you have questions about the survey, please contact the Forms Administration helpdesk via email health@formsadministration.com.au or phone (02) 4403 0640.
As part of the survey, home care providers can opt in to provide more detailed data in January 2020 and are encouraged to do so.
National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator (QI) Program – data due by 21 January 2020
The second quarter of QI data (October, November, and December 2019) is due for submission to the department from 1 January 2020, no later than 21 January 2020.
Do not include personal information, such as names or initials of care recipients, in QI data you submit to the department.
The QI Program provides a set of meaningful and measurable QIs to assist your service to track and improve important aspects of care. QI data can be used by your service to:
- identify trends in performance over time
- compare your service with national averages
- drive quality improvements within your service.
For more information about the QI Program, please visit the department’s website, or if you require assistance, you can contact the My Aged Care service provider helpline on 1800 836 799.