Get ready for AN-ACC
The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) replaces the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) on 1 October 2022, with the new funding arrangements to take effect automatically.
The department has developed a guide that sets out the steps residential aged care providers should take to prepare for AN-ACC. Following the tips set out in the Provider checklists for transitioning to AN-ACC will help ensure your organisation is ready for the new arrangements.
Advice to providers about payments from 1 October 2022 under AN-ACC
The transition from the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) to the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) is automatic.
Services Australia will calculate and pay residential aged care subsidy to approved providers based on the new AN-ACC classifications, including default classifications, for residents from 1 October 2022.
The payment changes will be reflected in your October claim, once lodged, in November 2022.
Providers will continue to be paid residential aged care subsidies in advance on a calendar monthly basis. Advances are calculated on an aged care service’s entitlement for the period 2 months before the advance month. It is pro-rated for the number of calendar days in the advance month.
Services Australia will make any relevant adjustments once providers have lodged their claim for the month the advance was paid.
Advance notice: Registered Nurses’ Payment round
The Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment rewards clinical skills and leadership for registered nurses working for the same provider over an eligibility period.
The eligibility periods for the first round of payments are:
- 1 November 2021 to 31 October 2022
- 1 May 2022 to 31 October 2022.
Up to $6,000 is available for full-time registered nurses. Payments are also available for eligible part-time and casual workers on a pro-rata basis.
Aged care providers can apply through a non-competitive grant round on behalf of eligible staff.
A forecast opportunity has been released to help providers prepare for the grant opportunity. Find out more on the GrantConnect website.
Webinar: Upcoming changes to Specialisation Verification
The Department of Health and Aged Care is hosting a free webinar on 11 October 2022 from 1:00pm to 2:30pm AEDT for the aged care sector.
This webinar will cover the Specialisation Verification Framework and upcoming application process improvements, including the:
- intent and scope of the Specialisation Verification Framework
- benefits for older people and providers in verifying specialisation claims
- new online application process for verifying specialisation claims via the My Aged Care (MAC) service and support portal
- appearance of verified specialisations on MAC versus unverified specialisations
- timeline for removing unverified claims from provider profiles on MAC (early-2023).
Register for the Specialisation Verification webinar.
You may submit questions during the webinar. If you are unable to attend, a recording will be available on the department’s website in the weeks afterwards.
Dementia Action Week
Dementia affects nearly 500,000 Australians, with almost 1.6 million Australians involved in their care; 54% of people living in permanent residential aged care have dementia.
The theme of this year’s Dementia Action Week is ‘A little support makes a big difference’.
It highlights that people living with dementia can continue to live rich, active and fulfilling lives for many years after their diagnosis, and focuses on supporting and celebrating carers.
Dementia Australia provides simple and practical tips to support people living with dementia, their carers and families, and help healthcare professionals make their practice more dementia-friendly.
Dementia Training Australia offers government-subsidised courses, practical resources and training packages for individuals and organisations.
Find out more on the Dementia Training Australia website.
Updated Dementia in Australia report released
On 16 September the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare released the updated Dementia in Australia report. The report provides the latest statistics on the impacts of dementia including mortality, hospitalisations and population health impacts on people throughout Australia, including First Nations people, carers, and those living in regional, rural and remote locations.
Dementia continues to be a critical health challenge for Australia’s ageing population, with an increase in both hospitalisations and deaths over the past decade.
First Nations people remain a priority focus. Indigenous Australians are at increased risk of developing dementia, experiencing higher prevalence and a greater number of years lived with a disability when compared with non-Indigenous Australians.
Webinar: Fighting Parkinson’s – what you need to know
Join Swinburne’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults for their upcoming free webinar on ageing at 4.45‑6pm AEDT on Friday 14 October.
This webinar is for people employed in aged care, as well as psychologists, social workers, counsellors and volunteers who work with older adults.
Clinical Nurse Consultant and Manager of Health, Clinical and Community services at Parkinson’s Victoria, Victor McConvey outlines the symptoms of Parkinson’s disease, treatment options and rehabilitation strategies, as well as the impact of the disease on the individual, their family and friends.
Find out more information and register for the webinar.
Reminder: Aged Care Providers Financial Report
A reminder to aged care providers, the following reports are due soon:
The Aged Care Financial Report (ACFR) for the reporting period 2021-22, is due on 31 October 2022.
The first Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) for the reporting period 1 July 2022 to 30 September 2022 is due by 4 November 2022.
Submit your first QFR using the Forms Administration’s data collection portal. The portal will open on the 1 October 2022. Providers will receive notification emails when the portal is open.
QFR reports received after 4 November will not be included in the Star Ratings process.