New Aged care reform: guide for providers booklet available
A new booklet Aged care reform: a guide for providers is available to download for free from the department’s website.
This booklet gives aged care providers – both home and residential – an overview of what reforms impact you, as well as how you can access support and have your say about the reforms.
Financial and Prudential reforms: an update from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner
On 1 July 2023, the financial monitoring of approved aged care providers transferred from the Department of Health and Aged Care to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
The Commission anticipate issues and applies strategies to reduce financial risks that have the potential to impact financial viability and quality of care.
In this video, Commissioner Janet Anderson discusses how the transfer of responsibility will enhance the Commission’s existing functions as the prudential regulator, and better support and build viability across the aged care sector.
Visit the Commission’s webpage for further information on financial and prudential regulation.
Consultation: Pricing Framework for Australian Residential Aged Care Services 2024–25
The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) would like to hear from individuals and organisations to support the development of pricing advice for residential and respite aged care services.
IHACPA’s aim is to ensure that pricing advice on the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding model is directly informed by the actual cost of delivering care.
Consultation on the Pricing Framework for Australian Residential Aged Care Services 2024‑25 closes 5pm AEST, Thursday 31 August 2023.
Your feedback will shape the pricing policy and approach IHACPA uses to develop residential aged care costing and pricing advice.
To make a submission, visit the Open consultations page on the IHACPA website.
Governing for Reform in Aged Care: platinum learners’ recommendations
The Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program provides learning resources for executives and governing body members of aged care providers, including webinars, toolkits, podcasts and more.
Recommendations from the program’s platinum learners can assist participants to plan their learning journey.
- Illana Halliday, Board Director at Scalabrini Villages, recommends For the Board Kit for assistance with committee work and meetings.
- Michelle Schupelius, CEO of Wheatfields Residential Care, recommends the Governing Body Meetings Toolkit which enables robust discussions and proactive decision making.
- David Maywald, Board Director at Community Services #1, recommends the webinar series for practical tips and hacks from panel members.
Visit the Governing for Reform in Aged Care website to learn more and register.
Webinar recording: greater transparency about aged care providers and services – new reporting requirements
Thank you to everyone who attended the recent webinar on greater transparency about aged care providers and services – new reporting requirements.
Visit our website for more information and to watch the webinar or to download the webinar presentation.
Responses to the question-and-answer session will be published on the webinar page soon.
Commission webinar: Cyber Security in Aged Care
The Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program is holding a webinar on Cyber Security in Aged Care.
Cyber-attacks, system failures and data breaches threaten sensitive and personal information held by aged care organisations. There are serious penalties for failure to report data breaches and the risk of reputational damage.
This webinar will present practical strategies that leaders and governing bodies can implement to improve cyber safety within their organisations.
The webinar is on Wednesday 19 July, 12pm-1pm (AEST). Speakers include cyber security experts Glen Hegner and Varun Acharya
Webinar series: hiring outside the box
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations is hosting a Hiring Outside the Box webinar series to help you build your workforce.
The 30-minute, bi-monthly webinars will profile different recruitment practices. You’ll hear from industry experts and employers about the practical strategies they have used, including tapping into new pools of talent.
The first webinar is on Wednesday 9 August,12-12.30pm AEST.
Register for the webinar now or contact jobscommunity@dewr.gov.au for more information.
Reminder: Quality indicator reporting via GPMS due 21 July
Residential aged care providers are reminded that quarterly reporting of data for all 11 Quality Indicators (QI) is due to be submitted via the Government Provider Management System (GPMS) by 11.59pm, Friday 21 July.
The submission of late QIs will impact the Star Ratings for residential aged care services.
To assist you in submitting the Quarter 4 2022-23 data in the new QI app in GPMS, please refer to the Government Provider Management System User Guide: Quality Indicators application.
Additional resources are available on the GPMS and QI Program resources pages.
If you need assistance, please contact the My Aged Care Service Provider and Assessor Helpline on 1800 836 799 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturday.
Star Ratings: Provider preview now available
Quarterly updates to Star Ratings are now available for residential aged care providers to preview on the Government Provider Management System (GPMS).
The preview will be available for 2 weeks before being published on the My Aged Care website.
The July update to Star Ratings will include Quarter 3 FY 2022–23 data (January–March) for Staffing and Quality Measures, with Compliance information updated daily, in response to regulatory decisions.
More information is available on the GPMS and Star Ratings webpages including the Government Provider Management System User Guide: Star Ratings.
If you need assistance, please contact the My Aged Care Service Provider and Assessor Helpline on 1800 836 799 from 8am to 8pm Monday to Friday and 10am to 2pm on Saturday.
Star Ratings: Residents’ Experience rating now updating quarterly
Quarterly updates are being introduced to the Star Ratings Residents’ Experience rating.
Services that completed the Residents’ Experience Survey from February to the end of May will see their results reflected in the next update to Star Ratings.
Residential aged care providers can now preview their updated Star Ratings in the Government Provider Management System (GPMS).
Residents’ Experience Reports will continue to be distributed to participating aged care homes 6 weeks after completion of the survey.
We are committed to transparency and providing up-to-date information to make it easier for people to compare aged care homes, and for providers to monitor and improve their care.
OPAN #readytolisten
OPAN’s #ReadyToListen resources prepare educators to facilitate training on responding to and preventing sexual assault in residential aged care.
The #ReadyToListen facilitator course and resources are for aged care educators, clinical governance or quality, risk and compliance managers.
The course includes guidance, practical strategies and activities covering:
- sexual rights and responsibilities in residential aged care
- how to support and ensure immediate safety for victim/survivors who disclose sexual assault
- practical strategies for communicating about sexual assault in ways that are ethically responsible
- how to develop and implement a sexual assault policy or guidelines and audits to identify gaps and make improvements.
Visit OPAN’s #ReadyToListen course webpage or email education@opan.com.au to register.