Results of the second Aged Care Sector Pulse Survey
The Aged Care Sector Pulse Survey is a bi-annual survey monitoring the sector’s adoption, preparedness, and awareness of reforms. The results of the second survey have been published in the “what we’ve heard” section of the Aged Care Engagement Hub.
This survey targets providers, workers and all areas that deliver in the aged care system.
The Aged Care Reforms Pulse Survey for Older People is a separate survey for older people to provide their perspectives.
The third Aged Care Sector Pulse Survey will be open for responses in September 2023. The survey is a critical monitoring and evaluation tool and we’re grateful for your ongoing support.
Grant recipients announced: improving respite care for people with dementia and their carers
The outcomes of the recent Improving respite care for people with dementia and their carers grant opportunity is now available on our website.
The grant program aims to increase support to informal carers and families caring for a person living with dementia through access to dementia–specific respite services.
The program will deliver:
- carer education and wellbeing
- innovative approaches to improving the quality and experience of respite care for people with dementia
- improved respite care planning for people with dementia
- increased capability of aged care providers to deliver quality respite care.
Read more about the improving dementia respite care program and grant recipients on our website.
Reminder: Renew staff (A User) access in the Aged Care Provider Portal
Annual renewals for many A Users with access to Services Australia’s Aged Care Provider Portal are due in September 2023.
Provider admin users can extend staff access for 12 months without completing a new registration form. Renewals can be actioned any time before the A Users expiry date.
To avoid delays in staff access and reduce administration, visit the provider portal on the Services Australia website and make your updates now.
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: Fighting Parkinson’s: what you need to know
Join Swinburne’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults for a free webinar on ageing on Friday 4 August, 4:45-6pm (AEST).
This webinar is for people employed in aged care, as well as psychologists, social workers, counsellors and volunteers who work with older people.
Clinical Nurse Consultant and Manager of Health, Clinical and Community Services at Parkinson’s Victoria, Victor McConvey, will outline the symptoms of Parkinson’s Disease, treatment options and rehabilitation strategies. Victor will also discuss the impact of the disease on the individual, their family and friends.
Residential care hotelling supplement
The hotelling supplement for residential aged care for approved providers of residential aged care services started from 1 July 2023. Residential aged care services do not need to apply to Services Australia to receive the hotelling supplement.
The supplement is calculated at a rate of $10.80 per day, per eligible care recipient, and paid to services with their monthly claims.
Read more about the hotelling supplement for residential aged care.
24/7 Registered nurse supplement
The 24/7 registered nurse (RN) supplement for eligible residential aged care services started this month.
Residential aged care services do not need to apply to Services Australia to receive the RN supplement. We will notify Services Australia of all eligible residential aged care services each month.
For a service to receive the supplement with their monthly claim, Services Australia must receive the eligibility notification from the Department of Health and Aged Care. If notifications are received after claims are finalised any supplement will be paid with the next approved claim.
For more information on eligibility, see Section 5.6 of the Care minutes and 24/7 registered nurse responsibility guide.
Read more about the 24/7 registered nurse supplement on our website.
24/7 Registered nurse responsibility reporting
Approved providers of residential aged care services must report their registered nurse (RN) coverage for the 24/7 RN responsibility in the Government Provider Management System (GPMS) each month.
Monthly 24/7 RN coverage data at the facility level is expected to be published on the department’s website from the end of August 2023.
The July 2023 report is due by 11.59pm AEST Monday 7 August. Providers should log on to GPMS as soon as possible to report.
Providers who do not report for a facility will not receive the facility’s 24/7 RN supplement. The 24/7 RN data coverage webpage will indicate that facility has not met their 24/7 RN reporting obligations for that month.
More information:
- 24/7 RN responsibility reporting webpage
- 24/7 RN responsibility: provider readiness checklist
- 24/7 RN responsibility webpage
If you need help, 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, local time across Australia.
Reminder: Star Ratings provider preview ending soon
Residential aged care providers are reminded that the quarterly updates to Star Ratings are available to preview on GPMS until 30 July.
The preview period allows providers to review their ratings and communicate with staff and residents about their ratings and any planned improvement activities, before they are published on the My Aged Care website on 31 July.
Information is available on the GPMS and Star Ratings webpages including the Government Provider Management System User Guide: Star Ratings.
If you need help, 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, local time across Australia.
Reminder: Help residents check their electoral enrolment details
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) is preparing for the 2023 Referendum on a proposed change to the Constitution (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Voice). It is important that prior to the referendum enrolment information is accurate for all Australians.
All residents are required to change their enrolled address one month after moving into an aged care home. This can be done via Update my details.
If someone needs to be removed from the roll, please complete an Objection claim that an elector should not be enrolled form (medical certificates are required).
From August, the AEC will be contacting residential aged care providers with more information and for help with electoral roll updates and processes. You can also contact the AEC anytime on 13 23 26.
More information can be found on the Australian Electoral Commission website