Please share this newsletter with your networks, and encourage them to subscribe. You can also visit the Engagement Hub to get involved in the aged care reforms.
News about the reforms:
- Webinar: Home Care Packages (HCP) Program Assurance Reviews
- Register for the HCP Program Assurance Community of Practice
- Upcoming HCP Program Assurance Reviews
- Webinar: Consumer Experience Interviews – Star Ratings
- Food and nutrition reporting is changing
- Aged Care Financial Report submission and helpdesk
- AN-ACC funding estimator
- Webinar: Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) update
Other news:
- Changes to the Aged Care Pricing Commissioner function
- Update your provider information on My Aged Care: Provider Summary and Service Information
- Diversity Coaching Workshop: The Inclusive Service Standards for Beginners
- Register now: Governing for Reform in Aged Care program and webinar
- Aged Care Learning Information System (Alis): Free trial
- Employer Engagement Webinars: Attracting workers into aged care
- Webinar: Grief and Loss
- Vision Australia webinar: Understanding low vision and blindness
- Webinar recording: Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing Free Translations in Aged Care
- Reminder: Take part in the Australian Human Rights Commission’s project
You can also read other recent announcements including COVID-19 announcements.
Webinar: Home Care Packages (HCP) Program Assurance Reviews
The department is hosting a free webinar at 11am‑12noon AEST on Monday 29 August to share the key learnings and outcomes of the first Home Care Packages (HCP) Program Assurance Review.
The webinar follows the publication of the Home Care Packages Program Assurance Review – Report – Indirect and care management charges.
Join us to hear the findings from the review of HCP indirect and care management charges. We’ll also discuss practical ways care recipients can engage with providers regarding such charges.
Join the webinar using your computer, tablet or smartphone.
Participants can submit questions on the day via the Q&A function. This webinar will be recorded and available on the department's website.
Find more information about the HCP Program Assurance Reviews.
Register for the HCP Program Assurance Community of Practice
A new online forum is now available to support Home Care Packages (HCP) providers.
Through this Community of Practice, providers can engage with:
- the HCP Program Assurance Review team to hear first-hand about findings and lessons learnt from program assurance reviews, and to bust myths about the review process
- each other to share program knowledge and better practices
- HCP Program and assurance review artefacts and information.
All HCP providers are encouraged to join, to improve their understanding of program requirements through the lens of program assurance reviews.
Sign up at HCP Program Assurance Community of Practice.
Upcoming HCP Program Assurance Reviews
Two Home Care Packages (HCP) Program Assurance Reviews will commence from August 2022.
The first, Pricing Transparency on My Aged Care, will aim to ensure that all HCP Program providers meet My Aged Care pricing transparency requirements. This follows the first program assurance review on Indirect and Care Management Charges, which identified pricing transparency issues.
This review will support more choice and control for HCP consumers through enhanced My Aged Care pricing information.
A further review on HCP Unspent Funds will help assure the accuracy of the Commonwealth portion of unspent funds reported by selected HCP providers.
Find more information about HCP Program Assurance Reviews.
Webinar: Consumer Experience Interviews – Star Ratings
Consumer Experience Interviews are currently underway. Results will be published in December 2022 as part of the Star Ratings for residential aged care homes.
Consumer experience results will be the most heavily weighted element of the Star Ratings.
The department is hosting a free webinar at 1.30‑2.30pm AEST on Monday 29 August about the purpose and methodology of the CEI program and how this information contributes to the Star Ratings System.
A live chat function will allow attendees to ask questions during the presentation.
Find out more about the Consumer Experience Interviews program.
Food and Nutrition reporting is changing
Food and Nutrition reporting for services receiving the Basic Daily Fee (BDF) supplement will now be through the new Quarterly Financial Report (QFR). The QFR began on 1 July 2022, and the first report, covering July to September, is due 4 November 2022.
Providers must report on food and nutrition expenditure and staff hours in the QFR.
Reporting will be mandatory for all residential aged care, MPS and NATSIFACP services from 1 October 2022.
It is important that providers report data accurately as greater scrutiny will be applied to food and nutrition in line with Australian Government priorities.
Providers should also note that the QFR Food and Nutrition template has recently been updated with minor changes.
Find further information and guidance on the QFR and view the updated QFR template on the Forms Administration website.
Aged Care Financial Report submission and helpdesk
Approved aged care providers will soon need to submit their annual Aged Care Financial Report (ACFR) through the Forms Administration portal. Providers will be notified via email once the portal opens, and submissions are due by 31 October 2022.
A data collection helpdesk run by Forms Administration is available to help providers. Call the helpdesk on (02) 4403 0640 or email enquiries to health@formsadministration.com.au.
Before the start of the submission period we encourage providers to send any financial reporting enquiries to ffbconsultation@health.gov.au.
Information on key ACFR enhancements was also shared in the Quarterly Financial Report Webinar held on 18 August. A recording, slides, and transcript will soon be available on the Forms Administration website.
AN-ACC funding estimator
Residential aged care providers are reminded they can access an online AN‑ACC funding estimator to help with estimating their potential Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding in the lead up to the new arrangements starting on 1 October 2022.
We encourage providers to regularly visit the residential aged care funding reform webpage for the latest information and support material, to help with their transition to the new AN‑ACC funding model from 1 October 2022.
Webinar: Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) update
Join the aged care funding reform webinar at 1pm‑3pm AEST on Tuesday 30 August. This webinar will provide an update on the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding model as well as some of the key functions of the AN-ACC ICT systems.
Topics will include:
- default classifications
- reclassification changes
- base care tariff verifications
- Transition Fund eligibility
- care minutes definitions.
You can submit questions before the event and there will be an opportunity to ask questions during the webinar. We encourage you to read the questions and answers from the June 2022 webinar to see if your question has been answered previously.
You can also view a recording of the June 2022 webinar and presentation slides.
Changes to the Aged Care Pricing Commissioner function
On 12 August 2022, following the passing of the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022, the Aged Care Pricing Commissioner’s functions were transferred to the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (Pricing Authority).
Aged care providers are required to seek approval from the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority to:
- increase their fees for extra services
- charge new fees for extra services
- charge accommodation costs that are higher than the allowed maximum rate.
Any applications that were submitted to the Aged Care Pricing Commissioner for approval before 12 August will automatically be processed by the Pricing Authority.
Find more information about the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority.
Update your provider information on My Aged Care: Provider Summary and Service Information
Does your provider summary and service information on the My Aged Care Find a Provider tool display accurate and descriptive information about the services and facilities you provide?
Describing your organisation and services is key to helping older people decide if your organisation is right for them. This information shows who you are, what you hold important, and how someone can benefit from your services. Getting this right will help potential care recipients find you.
The My Aged Care website has useful tips on creating an informative provider summary and useful service descriptions, based on the care type you provide:
- Aged care homes
- Home Care Package providers
- Commonwealth Home Support Programme providers
- Short-term care providers
Diversity Coaching Workshop: The Inclusive Service Standards for Beginners
The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing (PICAC Victoria) is hosting a Diversity Coaching Workshop on the Inclusive Service Standards for Beginners at 2pm‑3pm AEST on Wednesday 14 September.
This interactive workshop is for participants who are new to diversity, equity and inclusion. It will focus on how to use the Inclusive Service Standards to create inclusive policies and practices.
The workshop will give an overview of the Inclusive Service Standards self-assessment portal, a tool to help aged care providers to self-assess and identify areas for improvement. This can help provide culturally safe, appropriate and inclusive care in line with the Aged Care Quality Standards.
Register for the Inclusive Service Standards for Beginners Diversity Coaching Workshop.
Register now: Governing for Reform in Aged Care program and webinar
The Governing for Reform in Aged Care program provides training and skill development for aged care leaders. Since the program launched in March 2022, over 1,725 governing body members and executives have enrolled.
Participation in the program is flexible. You may choose to attend virtual events and workshops, download podcasts and toolkits, and complete learning modules.
This month the program focusses on diversity and inclusivity, with the first of two deep dives into culturally safe governance in aged care.
The online learning activities have been designed to help you promote and drive a culture of inclusion and diversity in your organisation.
Once enrolled, you can:
- attend the Transforming for an Inclusive Future: Why, How, Who? webinar to be held at 12noon‑1pm AEST on Wednesday 24 August
- complete the Inclusive and Culturally Safe Governance online learning module.
Enrol today and find out more at Governing for Reform in Aged Care: Governance and Leadership capability uplift program.
Aged Care Learning Information System (Alis): Free trial
Alis is the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s online learning system for aged care sector workers. It contains more than 25 modules covering topics including the Aged Care Quality Standards, the Serious Incident Response Scheme and outbreak management. More modules will be added throughout the year.
The Commission is trialling free access to Alis for all workers of Commonwealth‑funded aged care providers.
Workers can register at learning.agedcarequality.gov.au. Link your account to the provider you work for so your service administrator can approve it.
Learning managers or administrators can also sign up staff to Alis, either individually or via a bulk upload.
To find out more, visit the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s website.
Employer Engagement Webinars: Attracting workers into aged care
The department is hosting a series of employer engagement webinars, in partnership with the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
The first webinar will cover initiatives to help residential aged care and home care providers attract workers.
The two-part session is at 11:30am‑1:00pm AEST on Wednesday 14 September.
Session 1 (Department of Health and Aged Care) will discuss:
- Workforce Advisory Service
- Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment
- Home Care Workforce Support Program
Session 2 (Department of Employment and Workplace Relations) – Workforce Australia will discuss:
- Online and tailored supports to attract the right people
- Real-life experiences from a local employment facilitator
There will be an opportunity to ask questions in the webinar or when you register.
If you have any questions or trouble accessing the webinar, contact AgedCareWorkforceReform@Health.gov.au
Webinar: Grief and Loss
Join Swinburne’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults for their upcoming free webinar on ageing.
The webinar will be held at 4.45pm‑6pm AEST on Friday 2 September. It is aimed at people employed in aged care, as well as psychologists, social workers, counsellors and volunteers who work with older adults.
Chris Hall, CEO of The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement, is a psychologist specialising in grief and bereavement. In this webinar, he outlines contemporary theories of grief and bereavement in older adults, identifies losses associated with late-life and discusses effective interventions for grief.
Find out more information and register for the webinar.
Vision Australia webinar: Understanding low vision and blindness
Vision Australia is hosting a webinar at 2pm‑3pm AEST on Wednesday 31 August to help you support aged care clients to live more independently and continue doing the things they love.
If you work as a Regional Assessment Service or Aged Care Assessment Team assessor, this session will build your knowledge and confidence to discuss relevant supports and goals with vision impaired clients when completing assessments. The webinar will cover:
- common eye conditions and their impact on vision
- how vision loss affects daily living activities
- strategies, aids and equipment for people with blindness or low vision
- selecting the relevant service types when referring vision impaired clients for services.
Register for the webinar and you will be sent a login link. Please share this invitation with interested colleagues.
For more information, call Denise Pellow on 1300 847 466.
Webinar recording: Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing Free Translations in Aged Care
If you missed the webinar on Free Translations in Aged Care, delivered in July by The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing (PICAC Victoria), you can now watch a recording of this webinar for free, anytime.
Watch this webinar to learn about how aged care providers can have their flyers and information translated for free, under services available from the department, delivered by ICON Agency and partners LOTE, Able Australia and Winangali.
Translated information can help aged care providers better communicate with older people who prefer to speak languages other than English.
Access the recording of the Free Translations in Aged Care webinar.
Reminder: Take part in the Australian Human Rights Commission’s project
The Australian Human Rights Commission is examining beliefs around ageing held by those who work closely with older people.
The Commission is calling for organisations that provide residential aged care or deliver home care packages to take part in the project.
Participants will attend a short training session delivered by the Commission, exploring perspectives about working with older people. They will complete a short online survey before and after training, and have the option to participate in a group discussion.
This is an opportunity for people working within the aged care sector to explore the way they think about older age.
If you would like to take part in the project or have any questions, please email Maria.Ko@humanrights.gov.au by 29 August.