Default AN-ACC classifications
The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN‑ACC) starts on 1 October 2022.
AN‑ACC assessments are continuing, and most residents now have an AN‑ACC class. In the next few weeks any residents without an AN-ACC class, including those who enter care, will be assigned a default AN‑ACC class. From 1 October the default class will determine the variable subsidy rate until the resident is assessed.
- Class 98 – $216.80 (entry for palliative care)
- Class 99 – $117.07 (permanent care)
- Class 100 – $87.59 (respite care)
Once assessed, residents’ AN‑ACC classifications will replace default classifications, with payment adjusted accordingly.
Find more information in these resources:
- What is AN-ACC and how will it work?
- How do I calculate my AN-ACC care funding?
- What is AN-ACC Class 1 (Admit for Palliative Care)?
Palliative care entry arrangements under AN-ACC
Providers with prospective residents meeting the AN‑ACC Class 1 (Admit for Palliative Care) eligibility criteria can apply for this AN‑ACC class before the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN‑ACC) starts on 1 October 2022.
This will ensure the facility will receive the AN‑ACC Class 1 payment for eligible residents from 1 October 2022, and that those residents will not need an AN‑ACC assessment.
Visit the palliative care webpage and read these fact sheets for more information:
Note that AN‑ACC Class 1 applies only to residents who enter a facility to receive palliative care. When an existing resident becomes palliative and their care needs have changed significantly since their last classification, providers should submit a reclassification request via the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal.
HCP Program Assurance Community of Practice: Live chat session
The Home Care Packages (HCP) Program Assurance Community of Practice for providers will hold its first monthly live chat session at 2pm‑3pm AEST on Thursday 8 September.
Each month, department staff will be online to answer your questions about a particular topic. Join us this month to discuss:
- any questions about our first review
- any questions about the public summary report from the first review
- our lessons learnt from the first review
- how providers can be well prepared for reviews.
If you are an HCP Approved Provider and not yet joined, sign-up at HCP Program Assurance Community of Practice.
For help signing up, email: HCPProviderEducation@health.gov.au
Webinar: Introduction to aged care sector reforms – a regulatory perspective
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is hosting a webinar, ‘Introduction to aged care reforms – a regulatory perspective’, to provide an overview of the new Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Act.
The webinar will focus on 4 measures:
- extending the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) to home care and flexible care
- establishing a Code of Conduct for aged care providers, workers and governing persons
- strengthening provider governance
- use of restrictive practices and consent.
Participants will hear about the Commission’s role in each reform, including guidance and support for providers.
This webinar will be held on two dates to give all providers and services the opportunity to participate in the live discussions:
- Thursday 8 September, 1pm–2pm AEST, register to attend
- Tuesday 13 September, 2pm–3pm AEST, register to attend
The webinars will be recorded and be available for on-demand viewing.
Webinar recording: Consumer Experience Interviews
On 29 August, 730 individuals attended the Consumer Experience Interviews (CEIs) webinar. This webinar was an opportunity for providers to learn how the information collected from the CEIs contribute to an aged care home’s overall Star Ratings.
A recording of the webinar is now available on the department's website.
The department has engaged IQVIA in a consortium with Access Care Network Australia and HealthConsult to conduct CEIs. The consortium is currently contacting aged care homes to schedule interview dates. All dates must be arranged by 16 September to participate in the 2022 CEI program. To enquire about organising a visit, email our consortium at connect@cxinterviews.com.au
You can find more information about the Consumer Experience Interviews program on the department’s website.
Consultation now open: The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority’s Towards an Aged Care Pricing Framework
In response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) will provide independent costing and pricing advice for aged care services to the Australian Government.
This advice will inform Government decisions on residential aged care and residential respite care funding from 1 July 2023.
IHACPA’s consultation paper offers stakeholders the opportunity to contribute to the development of its Pricing Framework for Australian Aged Care Services 2023‑24.
The consultation paper covers:
- principles that will underpin how IHACPA develops its pricing advice
- key challenges for aged care costing and pricing and how to address these
- the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding model
- future priorities and developments.
This is your opportunity to provide input to ensure the diversity of aged care system stakeholders is reflected in the Pricing Framework.
Submit your response by 5pm AEDT Friday 14 October.
Find more information on the IHACPA website.
Webinar: Digital Transformation Tech Talk 6 September
The department’s Digital Transformation agenda is working to create a better-connected aged care network that is consolidated, sustainable, automated and modern.
Join us for our next Digital Transformation Tech Talk webinar at 2pm‑3.30pm AEST on Tuesday 6 September.
Hear more about why we are undertaking this important work as we explore some of the immediate transformation priorities. You will also have a chance to ask questions.
If you are unable to attend, the webinar will be recorded and available on the department’s website.
Register for the Digital Transformation Tech Talk webinar.
Aged care nursing and allied health scholarships now open
Aged care scholarship applications are open to nurses, personal care workers and allied health professionals working in aged care.
Eligible courses:
- commence or continue from Semester One 2023
- include Vocational Education Training, Undergraduate, Nursing Postgraduate and Allied Health Postgraduate
- are relevant to the care of older people, or leadership and management.
There is a guaranteed allocation of scholarships for Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples.
Aged care workers can also apply for the:
- Mental Health Nursing and Allied Health Scholarship Program
- Puggy Hunter Memorial Scholarship Scheme – available to Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander students undertaking an undergraduate course in an eligible health related discipline.
Applications for all scholarships are open until Monday 10 October.
For more information visit the Australian College of Nursing website.
Verifying your specialised services to help diverse older Australians find the care they need
While all providers must meet the Aged Care Quality Standards, providing specialised care represents a commitment to go further and focus particularly on meeting the needs of a specific group.
Providers who deliver specialised services to diverse older Australians, including people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, can now apply to have their specialisation claims verified by an independent assessor.
Your service can apply under the Specialisation Verification Framework’s two-tiered assessment criteria. You can demonstrate you deliver specialised care to diverse needs groups by submitting evidence showing you meet:
- one Tier-1 criterion, or
- four Tier-2 criteria, or
- all Tier-2 criteria, if fewer than four criteria are specified.
There are different options for demonstrating specialisation, and you don’t necessarily have to meet all the criteria.
Learn more on the department’s website.
Safe and inclusive care for Forgotten Australians
Helping Hand Aged Care offers free presentations to aged care organisations on Safe and Inclusive Care for Forgotten Australians and other Trauma Survivors. Forgotten Australians lived in institutional care as children and many experienced significant physical and emotional trauma. The presentation provides valuable insight into steps organisations can take to make aged care accessible and safe for older trauma survivors. It can also help organisations provide culturally safe, appropriate, and inclusive care in line with the Aged Care Quality Standards.
This free, one-hour presentation is funded by the department and covers:
- barriers to care for Forgotten Australians and other trauma survivors
- how to achieve safe and inclusive aged care for older people in these groups
- information on training and resources to support trauma-informed care.
To participate, contact Meg Schwarz on 0418 976 129 or mschwarz@helpinghand.org.au
New palliative care resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families
Australian Government-funded caring@home has launched new tailored palliative care resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander families.
The new Palliative Care Clinic Box supports families and carers to provide quality and culturally safe palliative care at home for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
It includes tip sheets and step-by-step guides with practical advice to help manage end-of-life symptoms for a person at home.
The project is funded by the Department of Health and Aged Care through the National Palliative Care Projects.
For more information visit the caring@home website. Resources can be ordered by aged care providers and the aged care workforce.
Webinar: Neuropsychological symptoms of dementia
Join Swinburne’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults for their upcoming free webinar on ageing.
The webinar will be held at 4.45‑6pm AEST on Friday 16 September. It is aimed at people employed in aged care, as well as psychologists, social workers, counsellors and volunteers who work with older adults.
Clinical neuropsychologist Dr Luke Smith outlines neuropsychological symptoms of dementia including changes in cognition, social cognition and behaviour. Dr Smith also reviews non-pharmacological strategies for managing these symptoms.
Find out more information and register for the webinar.
Updated Home Care Package Pricing Report available
The National Summary of Home Care Package Prices – 30 June 2022 shows pricing data for common care services, care management and package management.
At 30 June 2022, the median nursing price was $99 per standard hour, while light gardening, in-home respite, personal care, and cleaning/household tasks ranged from $58 to $61 per standard hour.
The department has also published the Home Care Package – Published Pricing Schedule – 30 June 2022, showing full pricing data entered into My Aged Care by providers.
Home Care Packages Program Data Report available
The department has released the Home Care Packages Program Data Report for the period 1 January–31 March 2022.
The report shows that 227,209 people had access to a Home Care Package at 31 March 2022. This is an increase of 24% over the previous 12 months. In the March 2022 quarter, 20,951 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 58,282. This is a decrease of 33% since 31 March 2021.
Read the full report on the AIHW GEN Aged Care Data website