Upcoming consultation: Foundations of the new Aged Care Act
As recommended by the Royal Commission, we are developing a new rights-based Aged Care Act (new Act) which will place the care needs of older Australians at the centre of the aged care system.
We will soon open public consultation on the proposed foundations of the new Act.
On Friday 4 August, a consultation paper, along with a series of factsheets and a survey will be available on the Aged Care Engagement Hub. Your feedback will inform drafting of the new Act.
A webinar will be held on 10 August 2023 to explain the proposed changes and answer your questions. Register for the webinar: Foundations of the new Aged Care Act.
Governing for Reform in Aged Care program - free coaching and group learning
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s Governing for Reform in Aged Care program offers free coaching and Action Learning Groups (ALGs).
Coaching provides governing body and executive teams access to highly specialised training that is tailored to their needs. The coaching will grow participants’ understanding of the sector’s governance requirements and help them remain up to date on best practice.
ALGs bring participants together in small groups to learn, share and network by discussing real governance issues and challenges faced day to day.
Visit the Governing for Reform in Aged Care website to learn more about the coaching program and ALG sessions and to apply.
Watch the webinar: Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement
On Thursday 15 June, we hosted a joint webinar with the Department of Home Affairs about the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement.
Experts provided information about the streamlined process for recruiting qualified care workers from overseas to work in aged care.
The webinar covered:
- information on the process for using the Aged Care Industry Labour Agreement to fill vacancies including eligibility requirements
- Memorandum of Understanding with the relevant aged care employee unions
- skills assessment process for overseas workers.
The panel of experts included relevant unions, skills assessment organisations, and an aged care provider who has used the agreement to recruit workers.
You can view a recording of the webinar and the presentation slides.
Released: Independent Capability Review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
The Independent Capability Review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, led by David Tune AO PSM, has been published and is available to read on our website, Final Report – Independent Capability Review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
You can also read a statement from Minister for Aged Care, The Hon Anika Wells MP on the release of the report.
The review outlines 32 recommendations that present opportunities to reform and strengthen the Commission (as the aged care regulator) into the future and continue to build on its capabilities.
The review also found the Commission is doing good work across a range of areas, despite facing a number of significant challenges since its inception in 2019.
A strong, capable and world-class aged care regulator is critical to ensuring good outcomes for older people. The government will work closely with the Commission to respond to the report’s recommendations.
Quarterly Financial Report due 4 August
Approved providers are reminded to submit their Quarter 4: Quarterly Financial Report through the Forms Administration online portal by Friday 4 August.
Providers must ensure that data entered into the Quarterly Financial Statements screen is for the year-to-date. However, data entered on the Residential, Home Care Expenses and Labour Hours, and Food and Nutrition screens, should be for the April-June 2023 quarter only.
Read more about the additional information home care providers need to include on wages.
Resources to help providers complete their reports are available on our Quarterly Financial Report webpage and the Forms Administration website.
A data collection helpdesk is also available. Call (02) 4403 0640 or email enquiries to health@formsadministration.com.au
Survey: State of volunteering for volunteer managers in Aged Care
Are you a volunteer manager or coordinator in Aged Care?
Australia’s peak volunteering organisations have 15-minute surveys open for volunteer managers and co-ordinators to complete.
Results will inform the State of Volunteering Report in each state and territory by providing critical information to:
- understand the characteristics of volunteers, volunteering and organisations involving volunteers
- measure the economic and social value of volunteering
- improve decision-making with the volunteer workforce
- know the value of volunteering and the high return on investment
- develop a roadmap on how volunteering trends are tracking in each state and territory.
Surveys in each state and territory have different close dates. Take the surveys here.
New Aged Care Industry Offer for software providers
The Australian Digital Health Agency is releasing a new Aged Care Industry Offer for Clinical Information and Electronic Medication Management Systems software developers.
The Department of Health and Aged Care is exploring mandating the use and upload of the new Aged Care Transfer Summary into My Health Record. This offer aims to increase the number of compliant products capable of connecting with My Health Record and system enhancements to support the new Aged Care Transfer Summary document.
All software developers are encouraged to apply (including those successful in the first industry offer). Software vendors who were successful in the first industry offer only need to respond to the RFT requirements to develop the Aged Care Transfer Summary. All other software providers will need to address all the requirements. Apply to take part.
Star Ratings: July provider preview has resumed
Residential aged care providers are encouraged to log into the Government Provider Management System (GPMS), to view their resumed Star Ratings provider preview.
The issue reported on 26 July affecting some Quality Measures ratings has now been rectified.
Star Ratings is available for provider preview until the extended date of 7 August 2023. They will then be published on the My Aged Care website.
Information is available on the GPMS and Star Ratings webpages including the Government Provider Management System User Guide: Star Ratings.
For 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, across Australia.
Reminder: 24/7 registered nurse responsibility reporting due 7 August
Approved residential aged care facilities must report their registered nurse (RN) coverage for the 24/7 RN responsibility in the Government Provider Management System (GPMS) every month.
Reporting of 24/7 RN coverage for July is due by 11:59pm AEST, Monday 7 August 2023.
Eligible providers that fail to report will not receive their facility’s 24/7 RN supplement payment for that month.
We will publish 24/7 RN coverage for all residential aged care facilities on our website by late August 2023.
Facilities that fail to report by the due date will show as non-compliant with the 24/7 RN reporting obligations.
For assistance, contact the My Aged Care service provider and assessor helpline on 1800 836 799, Monday to Friday (8am to 8pm) and Saturday (10am to 2pm) local time across Australia.
Free food and nutrition training and education for aged care cooks and chefs
We are partnering with the Maggie Beer Foundation to deliver education and training for residential aged care cooks and chefs.
These free education and training opportunities will help aged care cooks and chefs to prepare and serve more nutritious and delicious food, and help providers to meet the draft dedicated food and nutrition Aged Care Quality Standard currently being piloted.
Activities will include state and territory training hubs and trainer mentor programs. All residential aged care services will also be invited to complete a food satisfaction questionnaire.
For more information and to register your interest visit the Maggie Beer Foundation website.
The Maggie Beer Foundation may contact aged care services directly to invite you to apply to participate in these activities.
Free online learning modules are also available now for aged care chefs and cooks.