Financial Report on the Australian Aged Care Sector 2020-21
The new Financial Report on the Australian Aged Care Sector 2020-21 has been published on the department’s aged care research and reporting webpage.
The report uses information collected from providers through the Aged Care Financial Report (ACFR), including information such as care minutes. Key findings are also available in an easy-to-read infographic.
This new report is part of the department’s stewardship role recognised by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. It forms part of a series of measures over the next 18 months to enhance transparency. The department will soon consult on the publication of a Quarterly Financial Snapshot (QFS).
For more information or to provide feedback on this report or the QFS, email AgedCareMarket@health.gov.au
Financial Report on the Australian Aged Care Sector 2020-21
The new Financial Report on the Australian Aged Care Sector 2020-21 has been published on the department’s aged care research and reporting webpage.
The report uses information collected from providers through the Aged Care Financial Report (ACFR), including information such as care minutes. Key findings are also available in an easy-to-read infographic.
This new report is part of the department’s stewardship role recognised by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. It forms part of a series of measures over the next 18 months to enhance transparency. The department will soon consult on the publication of a Quarterly Financial Snapshot (QFS).
For more information or to provide feedback on this report or the QFS, email AgedCareMarket@health.gov.au
Webinar for workers: Code of Conduct for Aged Care
From 1 December 2022, a Code of Conduct for Aged Care (the Code) will be introduced to strengthen safeguards for older Australians receiving aged care services.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is hosting a webinar for aged care workers of approved providers at 2pm–3pm AEDT on Friday 11 November.
Speakers from the Commission will discuss:
- what the Code is
- responsibilities of workers, their providers and governing persons
- how workers can prepare for the Code
- the role of the Commission.
Questions for the panel can be submitted before and during the webinar. The webinar will be recorded and will be available on the Commission’s website.
Register for the webinar or email agedcarereform@agedcarequality.gov.au for more details.
Webinar: Updates on AN-ACC, care minutes and 24/7 nursing
Join the aged care funding reform webinar at 1pm‑2.30pm AEDT on Thursday 17 November to hear the latest updates on the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC), care minutes and 24/7 nursing.
Presenters from the Department of Health and Aged Care, Services Australia and the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) will discuss:
- monthly statements
- payments and claims processes
- clarification around the palliative care entry process
- 24/7 nursing requirement, exemption and supplement
- care minutes and funding sufficiency update.
You can submit questions before the event via registration or during the webinar.
Webinar: The Future of Aged Care – Leading the Transformation
The Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program will be hosting a webinar on the future of aged care at 12noon‑1pm AEDT on Thursday 17 November.
The webinar will explore why it is essential to maintain a future focus to actively contribute to transforming aged care in Australia. The panel will discuss how to confidently lead organisations in successfully implementing changes to meet new obligations.
The Program’s podcast series, Conversations to Transform Aged Care, is also available. The series spotlights insights from subject matter and industry experts across a multitude of sectors.
Enrol in the free Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program to register to attend the webinar, listen to the podcasts, and explore other learning activities.
Reminder: Star Ratings webinar
The launch of Star Ratings for residential aged care is approaching. Residential providers, find out what this will mean for you at the Star Ratings webinar, 1pm‑2pm AEDT on Friday 18 November.
Please register to attend if you haven’t already.
The department will walk through the purpose, development and design of Star Ratings. The webinar will include a Q&A session to answer any questions you may have; it will be recorded and available on the department’s website.
Star Ratings resources will soon be available, including fact sheets, FAQs and a detailed provider manual. Find out more about Star Ratings on the department’s website.
Quality and Safety Commission review: Public submissions now open
Public submissions for the capability review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission may be made from now until 2 December.
Mr David Tune AO PSM, former Secretary, Department of Finance, is conducting the independent review. It will respond to recommendations 10 and 104 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
The review will support the aged care regulator to deliver safe and high-quality care for older Australians now and into the future.
Visit the Consultation Hub to access the public submission process or find more information about the capability review on the department’s website.
Grant Forecast Opportunity: Improving respite care for people with dementia and their carers
Information is now available on GrantConnect for a grant program that aims to improve respite care for people with dementia and their carers.
The program opens in mid‑November 2022 and provides funding of up to $61.63 million (GST excl) over 4 years to increase support to informal carers and families caring for a person living with dementia, through access to dementia–specific respite services.
Grant activities will focus on new approaches to improve the quality and experience of respite care for people living with dementia.
Find more information on the GrantConnect website.
Webinar: Dementia: An introduction
Join Swinburne’s Wellbeing Clinic for Older Adults for their upcoming free webinar on ageing at 4.45pm‑6pm AEDT on Friday 11 November.
This webinar is for people employed in aged care, as well as psychologists, social workers, counsellors and volunteers who work with older adults.
Clinical psychologist Denise Wissmann provides an introduction to the symptoms and brain changes associated with dementia. The webinar also outlines the impact of dementia on the person’s functioning and their carers, family, friends and significant others.
Find out more information and register for the webinar.
Information Sessions: Voluntary assisted dying in Queensland
Voluntary assisted dying will be available to eligible Queenslanders from 1 January 2023.
Queensland Health invites aged care workers and providers to an online information session where an expert panel will discuss:
- Queensland’s Voluntary Assisted Dying Act 2021
- the role of aged care workers
- obligations for residential aged care facilities from 1 January 2023
- the Queensland Voluntary Assisted Dying Support and Pharmacy Service model of care, functions and support.
Two sessions will be held:
For providers: Tuesday 15 November at 12noon AEST – register for the session
For workers: Wednesday 16 November at 12noon AEST – register for the session
You can submit a question in advance by emailing vadimplementation@health.qld.gov.au
Find more information on the Queensland Health website.
Webinar: Supporting Older People from CALD Backgrounds with a Hearing Impairment
The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing (PICAC Victoria) is hosting a webinar on supporting older people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) backgrounds with a hearing impairment at 2pm‑3pm AEDT on Wednesday 23 November.
This webinar aims to help aged care services to provide culturally safe, appropriate and inclusive care, aligned with the Aged Care Quality Standards. It will showcase 2 hearing projects on the needs of older people from CALD backgrounds with a hearing impairment.
Register for the Supporting Older People from CALD Backgrounds with a Hearing Impairment webinar.
You can watch recordings of the Centre’s previous webinars at any time. Webinars are posted to the website about 2 weeks after each session.
The webinar is part of the online 2022–23 Diversity Webinar Series.
Webinar recording: Aged care Australian Apprenticeships (Traineeships)
The recording of the ‘Expanding the aged care workforce through Australian Apprenticeships (Traineeships)’ webinar held on 26 October 2022 is now available.
It shows how the Australian Apprenticeships scheme can develop new aged care workers and advance the skills of existing workers. The joint webinar was hosted by the department and the Department of Employment and Workplace Relations.
A recording of the webinar and presentation slides are available on the department’s website.
The first webinar, Attracting workers into aged care, is also available on the department’s website.
Providers are encouraged to visit the Australian Apprenticeships website and make contact with an Australian Apprenticeship Support Network provider in their region.
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 program has expanded nationally and includes a general suicide prevention online course followed by a workshop contextualising the training for older people. The two 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.
Update on national provider of CHSP GEAT services
The national Goods, Equipment, and Assistive Technology (GEAT) provider for the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) geat2go has introduced temporary measures to manage higher than expected demand.
There is a growing demand for equipment and assistive technology. Geat2go will manage within their 2022-23 budget fairly, to ensure as many older Australians as possible get the support they need.
Once demand reaches capacity each month, geat2go will cease accepting new requests for items. Registered users of the geat2go portal will be notified when this occurs. geat2go will recommence accepting new requests on the first of the next month.
You are encouraged to refer clients to other local GEAT providers in the area.
Find GEAT providers on the My Aged Care website.
Vision Australia webinar: Vision loss tips for CHSP providers
Vision Australia is presenting a webinar at 2pm‑3pm AEDT on Wednesday 16 November on how Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers can support Australians experiencing vision loss.
The webinar will cover tips on:
- how to ensure vision-impaired clients are safe and comfortable when receiving services in their home
- practical ways to help people who are blind or have low vision in social and community settings
- strategies to ensure programs are inclusive.
This session will help providers interact confidently and respectfully with vision-impaired clients to continue to support them to live independently.