Star Ratings: Provider preview now available via GPMS
Quarterly updates to Star Ratings are now available for residential aged care providers on the Government Provider Management System (GPMS).
You can preview your ratings for 2 weeks through the Star Ratings application tile in GPMS before they are published on the My Aged Care website.
Your Organisation Administrators were emailed on 3 April with details on how to access and assign roles in GPMS, including giving access to Star Ratings reviewers.
More information on how to access GPMS and about Star Ratings is available on the department’s GPMS and Star Ratings webpages.
If your Organisation Administrator did not receive this email, or is having difficultly accessing GPMS, or to report any IT or technical errors in your Star Ratings, please contact the My Aged Care Service Industry, Provider and Assessor Helpline on 1800 836 799.
National Aged Care Provider Conference, 8‑9 June 2023
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will be hosting a National Aged Care Conference for Approved Aged Care Providers on 8–9 June 2023 at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
The theme is Working together – our journey through aged care reform and regulation. This conference brings together approved providers of residential and home care services from across the country to discuss the reforms and regulatory journey.
Keynote speakers and registration details will soon be published on the Commission’s website.
Webinar: Digital Transformation Tech Talk
The department’s Digital Transformation agenda is working to create a better-connected aged care network, that is consolidated, sustainable, automated, and modern.
We invite the sector to join us for our next Digital Transformation Tech Talk webinar on Wednesday 19 April at 2pm-3:30pm AEST.
Hear more about why we are undertaking this important work. We will share an update on the policy priorities for the aged care reform agenda, provide a playback of our progress on the new Government Provider Management System (GPMS), and take a deeper look at the department's broader data approach.
Register for the Digital Transformation Tech Talk webinar.
Survey: Volunteer training
Do you work with volunteers or volunteer yourself or in the aged care sector? Take part in our survey.
Volunteers are an important part of the aged care system giving their time, companionship, care and support.
As part of the Australian Government’s response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the department is currently seeking the views of:
- volunteer managers or aged care providers who work with volunteers
- people who volunteer in the aged care sector.
Take our online survey to help us understand what is working and how we can improve volunteer training and support.
The survey closes on 26 May 2023.
New podcasts available: Conversations to Transform Aged Care
The Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program has released Series 2 of the podcast ‘Conversations to Transform Aged Care’.
The podcast is a learning tool for anyone interested in aged care reform leadership. The latest series features 7 episodes covering leadership, resilience, clinical and corporate governance, and governing in regional and rural settings.
Podcast guests include Dr Cathy Balding exploring the interplay of clinical and corporate governance, and Gus McLachlan AO explaining how leadership drives positive change.
Listen on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts and Spotify. You can also enrol in the free Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program to get the latest learning resources and updates.
Home Care Packages Program inclusions and exclusions FAQs
Following the January 2023 update to the Home Care Package Provider Manual, the department has compiled answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs).
The Provider Manual update clarified inclusions and exclusions and reflects recent aged care reforms. The policy on what care recipients can and cannot spend package funds on has not changed.
It is the responsibility of providers to help care recipients understand their Home Care Package (HCP), including the scope of the program bound by the legislation.
The department hosted a webinar for HCP providers on 4 April to explain what is included and excluded under the HCP Program. The webinar recording will be uploaded in the coming weeks. In the meantime, view the webinar slides on the department’s website.
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) is hosting a webinar for HCP recipients, their families and carers on Tuesday 18 April at 1pm‑2pm AEST.
In this webinar, a departmental representative will join an expert panel to discuss:
- what recent reforms to HCP will mean for home care services and fees
- what’s included and what’s excluded under the program
- where to go for more information and support.
If your care recipients have questions about the HCP Program, let them know about the webinar and encourage them to register at OPAN's website.
Home Care Packages Program Data Report available
The department has released the Home Care Packages Program Data Report for the period 1 October to 31 December 2022.
The report shows that 255,628 people had access to a Home Care Package at 31 December 2022. This is a 17% increase over the previous 12 months. In the December 2022 quarter, 22,172 people entered a Home Care Package for the first time.
The number of people in the National Priority System waiting for a Home Care Package at their approved level dropped to 37,894. This is a decrease of 45% since 31 December 2021.
Read the full report on the AIHW GEN Aged Care Data website.
Vision Australia webinar: Introduction to accessible communications and marketing
Vision Australia invites Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers to take part in a free webinar about accessible communications and marketing, with a number of sessions to take place during April and May.
The 2-hour webinar is suitable for CHSP aged care workers and communications and marketing staff and will cover:
- practical advice on implementing accessible communication techniques for websites, emails, social media and documents
- writing alternative text for images to ensure access for people with a vision condition
- video captions, transcripts, sign language versions, audio description
- ensuring text and language are readable for all.
Each webinar session has availability for 30 attendees. Please select your preferred date from the registration page. You will receive a Zoom link before the webinar date.
Before the webinar, participants are required to undertake the one-hour on-demand introduction to digital accessibility course. For further details, complete the expression of interest form.
Email questions to reeni.ekanayake@visionaustralia.org
Webinar recording: 2023 Residents’ Experience Surveys
The department’s recent 2023 Residents’ Experience Surveys webinar gave an overview of the 2022 outcomes and the key changes for 2023. The webinar was held on 9 March and a recording is now available on the department’s website.
We’ve also recapped some of the questions that were asked by participants during the webinar and our answers to these. You can read the Questions and Answers on our webpage.
The department has again engaged IQVIA, with ACNA and HealthConsult, to conduct the surveys. These are now underway and expected to finish in November 2023.
View the Residents’ Experience Survey FAQs on IQVIA’s website for information about the scheduling process.
You can also find information about Residents’ Experience Surveys on the department’s website.
Commission webinar: Regulation of workforce-related responsibilities including 24/7 registered nursing and care minutes
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is holding a webinar on the regulation of workforce-related responsibilities including 24/7 registered nursing and care minutes on Tuesday 18 April at 1pm‑2pm AEST.
A Q&A session will follow presentations by the Commission and Department of Health and Aged Care representatives.
From 1 July 2023, approved providers of residential aged care must have at least one registered nurse on-site and on duty at each residential facility at all times. From 1 October 2023, mandatory care minutes will be introduced as an approved provider responsibility.
Register for the webinar. If you are not able to attend, a recording will be available online in the days following the webinar.
Find further information on the Commission’s website.