Consumers can now apply for an assessment online
A new online form is available on the My Aged Care website that allows consumers or someone acting on their behalf to apply for their first assessment online.
The form can be completed in their own time as an alternative to calling the My Aged Care contact centre. Visit the My Aged Care website for information about how consumers can now apply for an assessment.
This new functionality will be continuously improved. Please encourage consumers to provide feedback via the survey or Contact us page of the My Aged Care website.
Sector professionals must continue to use the existing ways of making a referral including:
- the make a referral form
- phone
- fax.
GPs with Medical Director, Best Practice or Genie Practice management systems are encouraged to use the new pre-populating e-referral form.
Recent updates to the My Aged Care website
Since its release on 24 June 2019, the My Aged Care website has undergone multiple updates to improve the user experience, including:
- new online form that allows consumers or someone acting on their behalf to register and apply for an assessment online
- enhanced compare functionality of service providers
- improvements to site search to ensure search result relevance
- print-friendliness of all website pages
- reduced duplication of home care packages provider entries in the ‘find a provider’ tool
- improved configuration of the main drop down menus for ease of navigation.
We are continuing to make regular enhancements based on feedback received to date. Your feedback is welcome and can be provided through on-site survey or via the Contact us page of the My Aged Care website.
Retirement of AUSkey March 2020
AUSKey and Manage ABN connections will retire at the end of March. To support this, the login screen for the My Aged Care provider portal has been updated to include the option of logging in with myGovID.
The Australian Taxation Office (ATO) is delivering two new replacement products:
- myGovID – a faster way to prove your identity on line. This is different to your myGov account.
- Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM) – a service that allows you to act on behalf of your business online.
Getting ready for myGovID and RAM:
- You can still use your existing AUSkey until the end of March, while we make this transition.
- We encourage you to transition to myGovID before the March deadline. To find out how to get started, visit the ATO website.
- We are publishing information on our website to help you to make the transition to myGovID.
- You may wish to consider VANguard FAS as a replacement for AUSkey as VANguard FAS will continue to be supported.
Together, myGovID and RAM provide a more flexible and secure way to access a range of participating online government services.
Aged care content on the department’s new website
Aged care content has been moved to the department’s new website – www.health.gov.au/health-topics/aged-care. The new content is primarily directed at our providers, assessors, and peak groups while My Aged Care remains our primary source of information for consumers.
Transitioning aged care content to health.gov.au will improve the experience of all users through:
- more intuitive navigation
- a comprehensive search function
- content written in plain English
- better analytics to help us understand users and continue to respond to their needs.
How does this affect you?
We will redirect all old URLs to their equivalent ones on the new website to minimise the impact on users who access the site via bookmarks, links or search engines.
In mid-2020, the old site will be decommissioned and a broad brush redirect will be applied from agedcare.health.gov.au to health.gov.au/aged-care.
Please note that saved links to documents on the old site – as opposed to pages – will no longer work.
What do you need to do?
Over the coming weeks, search the new website to find the content you want to link to and update your links.
The website is a work in progress. Use this form to provide feedback on how we can continue to improve the website.
Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) Authorised Officers – Legislation Amendments
On 1 January 2020, legislative amendments to the Aged Care Act 1997 (the Act) enabled the regulatory powers of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. ACFI Authorised Officers will now exercise their monitoring powers under the Regulatory Powers (Standard Provisions)Act 2014.
Please note the amendments are currently being incorporated into the Act.
Update on the Specialist Dementia Care Program
The Specialist Dementia Care Program (SDCP) provides care for people who exhibit very severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia, who are unable to be effectively cared for by mainstream aged care services.
The prototype unit opened in Inglewood, Perth in September 2019. As a result of the Phase One grant opportunity, a further nine units will be opening progressively between January and July 2020 in the following Primary Health Network regions:
- Adelaide
- Australian Capital Territory
- Brisbane North
- Brisbane South
- Hunter New England and Central Coast
- North Western Melbourne
- North Queensland
- South Eastern Melbourne.
Referrals can now be made to the SDCP units in Cardiff, Caulfield and Inglewood. Further details about the remaining seven units will be provided soon.
More information and eligibility requirements can be found on the department’s website.
To make a referral to the program, please visit Dementia Support Australia.
Reminder: Residential Aged Care Funding Reform – Assessor Training Strategy – Request for Tender
A Request for Tender is now open seeking a training strategy for assessors under the proposed Australian National – Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding model.
A supplier is sought to scope the training that could be required for a national AN-ACC assessment workforce. No decision on the future of residential aged care funding reform has been made.
The tender closes at 2:00 pm (AEDST) 14 February 2020.
More information is available at AusTender.
Public consultation on the Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission Draft Roadmap
Public consultation on the draft MRFF Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Mission (Mission) Roadmap is now open. The department invites your feedback on the draft Roadmap.
The Roadmap outlines the aim, vision and goals for the Mission and possible themes and priorities for investment. The Mission will fund research to support older Australians to maintain their health and quality of life as they age, living independently for longer and being able to access quality care when they need.
The consultation will close at 5.00pm (AEDST) on 17 February 2020.
For more information, please visit the Consultation Hub.
What Matters Most – New person centred care resources
Palliative Care Australia, through a Dementia and Aged Care Services Fund grant, has launched a suite of resources to encourage early conversations about What Matters Most to older people, their care and their end of life preferences.
All aged care providers will be sent a set of What Matters Most resources designed to be used by health or aged care workers to support consumers, including people living with dementia. The resources will assist aged care workers to deliver person-centred care and help consumers to make informed choices about their care.
For more information or to download the resources visit Dyingtotalk.org.au.
Aged Care Education and Training Incentive (ACETI) Program closing
- Are you on the ACETI program?
- Did you receive a ‘commencement payment’ when you began your training to upgrade your qualifications in aged care?
- Will you complete your studies before 30 June 2020?
If you answered “yes” to all three questions you are eligible to receive a ‘completion payment’. To apply you must complete the Application Form and lodge it with Services Australia at the address on the form before 30 June 2020.
The ACETI program closes on 30 June 2020, late applications will not be accepted