Minister Wells outlines the future of reform
Anika Wells, Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport, spoke at the National Press Club on Wednesday 7 June to outline what’s been done to address the Royal Commission recommendations so far and provided a roadmap for the future of reform.
While workforce shortages continue to be a challenge, Minister Wells explained her ambition and commitment to making changes that deliver safety, dignity and quality for every older person across the aged care system.
Read or watch Minister Wells’ address.
Aged Care Reform Roadmap has been released
The Australian Government has released the Aged Care Reform Roadmap to provide an indicative timeline for key aged care reform elements. This will help the sector understand what’s coming, get involved and prepare for the changes ahead to improve aged care for older people.
Dates are subject to change and will be reviewed and updated regularly. The roadmap includes major reform elements, sector consultation activities, events and links to more information.
We continue to work closely with the aged care sector. Please visit the Aged Care Engagement Hub to take part in consultations, join our webinars and stay informed about progress of the reforms.
Webinar, Thursday 15 June: Aged care wage increase
Join us for a webinar on Thursday 15 June at 3pm‑4pm AEST to hear about the aged care wage increase funding announced in the 2023-24 Budget.
This webinar will provide information about the Australian Government’s $11.3 billion investment to fund the Fair Work Commission’s decision of a 15% increase to the award wages of many aged care workers.
The webinar will cover:
- funding arrangements for residential aged care, Home Care Packages Program and Commonwealth Home Support Programme
- guidance material for providers for passing on wages
- accountability and transparency.
You can submit questions before the event via registration or during the webinar. Following the webinar, slides and a video recording will be available on the department’s website.
Register now for this webinar.
Government Provider Management System: New reporting apps coming soon
The new Government Provider Management System (GPMS) portal makes it easier for providers to access and report information.
Most residential aged care providers are already using GPMS to access Star Ratings previews, and new applications will soon be released to enable Quality Indicators, Provider Operations and 24/7 registered nursing reporting.
If you’re a residential aged care provider and haven’t logged on yet, please follow these steps:
- log on to GPMS
- assign roles for ‘Organisation Administrators’
- check your organisation and contact details are up to date in GPMS.
Home Care providers will also gain access to GPMS in July 2023. To prepare, please make sure your details are up to date in both the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal and GPMS.
Information about GPMS is available on our Government Provider Management System webpage.
If you need assistance, please contact the My Aged Care Service Provider and Assessor Helpline on 1800 836 799 (8am‑8pm Monday‑Friday and 10am‑2pm Saturday, across Australia).
Reminder: Consultation on the new model for regulating aged care closing soon
We are consulting on the new regulatory model for aged care and encourage you to have your say on the changes we‘re proposing to improve the way aged care is delivered. Consultation closes at 5pm, Friday 23 June.
The new model will introduce changes to the way aged care is currently regulated.
Visit the Aged Care Engagement Hub Regulatory Model page to:
- read Consultation Paper No.2 or the summary version
- submit your feedback via an online survey or written submission
- access the 9 May webinar recording and Frequently Asked Questions
- watch a video of our Expert Advisory Panel Member, Emeritus Professor Valerie Braithwaite, explain why stronger relationships will improve the way we regulate aged care.
Please email enquiries to AgedCareRegModel@Health.gov.au
Thank you for all contributions to date. We welcome any further feedback before the end of consultation on 23 June.
Quarterly Financial Snapshot of the aged care sector: Q2, 2022-23
The department has published the second Quarterly Financial Snapshot (QFS) of the aged care sector, capturing the October to December 2022 quarter.
The QFS draws on data submitted through the Quarterly Financial Report (QFR), and includes information such as key financial indicators, care minutes, labour and food and nutrition.
The QFS reflects the department’s commitment to its stewardship role, as recognised by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and to increasing sector transparency through timely publication of financial performance data.
The department thanks all providers who completed the QFR and contributed to developing this snapshot.
Download a copy of the report from the department’s website.
Decommissioning of the My Aged Care fax number
A reminder that the department will be decommissioning the My Aged Care fax number (1800 728 174) on Monday 31 July 2023. Please use the following alternative arrangements to send a referral or information:
- Make a referral – online tool on the My Aged Care website to refer a patient or client for an assessment.
- GP e-Referral – refer patients or clients to My Aged Care from your practice management systems. Find out more at Services for health professionals | My Aged Care.
- My Aged Care contact centre – call the contact centre on 1800 200 422.
- Appointment of a support person – complete this form digitally by using Adobe PDF Fill and Sign.
If you have any questions, please email MyAgedCareFaxDecommission@health.gov.au
Release of the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan
Australia’s first Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan has been released. It offers a clear vision on how to better use nurse practitioners to meet the needs of a growing and ageing population.
The important role nurse practitioners play in aged care is a key consideration.
The plan sets out 4 overarching outcomes:
- increase nurse practitioner services across the country
- increase community awareness and knowledge of what services nurse practitioners can provide
- support nurse practitioners to work to their full scope of practice
- grow the workforce to reflect the diversity of the community and improve cultural safety.
Learn more about the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan on the department’s website.
Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placements Program
The Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placements Program aims to support up to 5,250 nursing students with positive, high-quality clinical placements in the care and support sector (aged care, veterans’ care and disability support), with a focus on aged care.
Students will be supported throughout their placement by clinical facilitators.
The program will also develop an online resources hub, to be publicly available for all students, supervisors and providers. This program is being implemented by 5 suppliers across Australia. The program finishes December 2024.
Students can find more information on how to access the program by contacting their local supplier.
Program information, including suppliers, can be found at Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placements on the department’s website.
Free event: People and perceptions in palliative care: workforce insights
The Department of Health and Aged Care invites you to a FREE palliative care breakfast event on Thursday 22 June at 7am-9am AEST. The event will be held in South Melbourne, and you can also participate online.
Hear from some of Australia’s eminent palliative health care experts about what good palliative care looks like, and the free education and training opportunities available to you.
Facilitated by Sophie Scott, speakers include:
- Professor Michael Kidd AM, Deputy Chief Medical Officer, Department of Health and Aged Care
- Professor Patsy Yates, Executive Dean, Faculty of Health, Queensland University of Technology
- Dr Paresh Dawda, Director and Principal, Prestantia Health
- Mr Paul Sadler, Aged Care Advocate
- Mr Christopher Carter, Chief Executive Officer, North Western Melbourne Primary Health Network
Webinar: Greater transparency about aged care providers and services – new reporting requirements
We invite aged care providers to join us for a webinar on Friday 30 June at 2pm‑3.30pm AEST discussing new reporting requirements as part of the measures to improve transparency of aged care providers and services.
This webinar will:
- provide an overview of the process for submitting information about provider operations, due by 31 October (further information is available on the Strengthening provider governance in aged care webpage)
- explore how data is captured through the GPMS Provider Operations Collection Form, Quarterly Financial Report and other mechanisms to improve transparency and provide insights into sector performance
- provide an update on our strategic direction, our priorities and plan to work with you to prepare for the changes ahead.
For those unable to attend, a recording will be made available on our website.
Dementia Training Australia: Behaviour and dementia
For people living with dementia, changes in behaviour may be a way of communicating anxiety, discomfort, pain, or boredom.
Funded by the Australian Government, Dementia Training Australia (DTA) provides free online courses and resources for aged care workers, to help you understand behaviours and factors that influence behaviour change in a person living with dementia.
Visit the Dementia Training Australia website to access these resources and online training.
New training and resources will be rolled out throughout 2023.
For more information contact DTA at support@dta.com.au or on 1300 229 092.
Webinar: Elder abuse, dementia and decision-making capacity
Join Swinburne’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults for its upcoming webinar on elder abuse in individuals living with dementia on Friday 23 June at 4.45pm‑6pm AEST. This webinar is for people employed in aged care, as well as psychologists, social workers, counsellors and volunteers who work with older adults.
Elder abuse can be difficult to identify and manage, especially involving individuals living with dementia. To be able to provide a person-centred informed service response, it is important to understand the intersection between elder abuse, dementia and decision-making capacity and its implications for care planning and support.
Dominque Horne is the Elder Abuse Liaison Officer with The Royal Melbourne Hospital and will discuss navigating elder abuse issues in this population.
Find out more information and register for the webinar.
National Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program
Would you know what to do if someone you support was experiencing thoughts of suicide?
Anglicare’s Suicide Prevention for Seniors Program equips those who support older people with the knowledge to help prevent suicide.
The free national program includes a general suicide prevention online course followed by a workshop contextualising the training for older people. The 2 parts should only take a total of 3 hours to complete.
The program is funded by the NSW and Australian governments. To be eligible, you need to be working with older people and have internet access.
If you are interested, please email Anglicare at suicide.prevention@anglicare.org.au or visit the Anglicare website.
CHSP providers: 2024-25 extension and recovering unspent grant funding
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) has been extended until 30 June 2025. CHSP providers are currently receiving their 2023-24 contracts. Once this has been finalised, the department will commence the 2024-25 extension.
In July 2023, the department will initiate the recovery of 2021-22 CHSP unspent funds not captured in any contract write-down processes and notify impacted providers.
CHSP providers will not be able to carry over unspent 2022-23 funding into 2023-24, except for any ad hoc new funding approved in 2022-23.
If you have a question about unspent funds, please contact your Funding Arrangement Manager.