Star Ratings previews released
Every residential aged care provider should have received their Star Ratings preview.
If not, Organisation Administrators should contact the My Aged Care (MAC) service provider and assessor helpline on 1800 836 799 and select option 4. The helpline is open 8am-8pm weekdays and 10am-2pm, Saturdays.
If you’re uncertain about your ratings, by 17 December 2022 please:
- Check and correct self-reported:
- Quality Measures via the MAC Provider Portal, following the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program Manual 2.0 - Part C.
- Staffing data against the Quarterly Financial Report. Email corrections to health@formsadministration.com.au.
- Understand calculations via Star Ratings Provider Manual.
- Report IT or technical errors to the MAC helpline on 1800 836 799.
For more information visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Have your say: Exposure Draft of the Inspector-General of Aged Care Bill
Consultation on the exposure draft of the Inspector-General of Aged Care Bill is now open.
The Inspector-General will play a critical role in driving improvement across Australia’s aged care system by calling out system-wide and significant problems and making recommendations for improvement. They will also report to Parliament on progress of the implementation of Royal Commission recommendations.
Aged care providers, sector representatives, peak bodies, older people, carers, families, and other interested stakeholders are invited to review the draft Bill and consultation paper and submit comments or a survey response by 5:00 pm AEDT Friday 27 January 2023.
To review the consultation paper and exposure draft of the Bill, please visit www.agedcareengagement.health.gov.au/InspectorGeneral.
An Inspector-General cannot be appointed until the position has been established under legislation and passed through Parliament. Until an Inspector-General is appointed, Mr Ian Yates AM has been appointed as the Interim Inspector-General. Mr Yates will commence in the role on 30 January 2023.
For further information on the Inspector-General of Aged Care, visit www.health.gov.au/our-work/inspector-general-of-aged-care
In-home aged care reform update for CHSP providers
The Australian Government is planning to deliver a reformed in-home aged care program from 1 July 2024 that improves aged care for older people living at home.
We recognise the value of the current mix of local government, community and private sector organisations delivering in-home aged care services. The proposed reforms are being designed to enable service providers from across these sectors to continue delivering high quality services in the community.
We expect the majority of CHSP providers to continue delivering services under the reforms. However, we are aware that there are some providers who are considering whether to cease delivering aged care services under the proposed new program.
The proposed funding model outlined in A new program for in-home aged care discussion paper and summary, includes:
- considerable funding certainty for community transport, meals delivery and group services through supplementary grants
- prices set by the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority that will cover the full cost of delivering services
- client budgets and activity-based payments, allowing providers to expand their services to meet growth in new clients
- supplementary grants to meet the costs faced by providers operating in thin markets.
Providers who are concerned about the reforms are encouraged to engage with the department through a range of consultation opportunities over coming months that will help to shape the final program design.
We will continue to work with providers about the reforms and do everything we can to achieve a better in-home aged care program for older people.
Read more about the new in-home aged care program.
Webinar: Aged care sector reforms – current status and what’s next?
Approved providers are encouraged to attend the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s webinar, ‘Aged care sector reforms – current status and what’s next?’ at 3pm-4pm AEDT on Thursday 15 December.
As of 1 December 2022, the Code of Conduct for Aged Care, SIRS in home care and strengthening provider governance apply.
This webinar will recap these reforms and the education and resources available for providers, workers and consumers.
Participants will also hear about the Commission’s assessment and monitoring process and what to expect from site visits.
The webinar will include a moderated Q&A session and the recording will be available on the Commission’s website.
Register to attend the webinar.
Home Care Packages Program Data Report available
The department has released the Home Care Packages Program Data Report for the period 1 April – 30 June 2022.
The report shows that 236,928 people had access to a Home Care Package (HCP) at 30 June 2022, which is an increase of 21% over the previous 12 months. In the June 2022 quarter, 19,251 people entered a HCP for the first time.
The number of people in the National Priority System waiting for a HCP at their approved level dropped to 49,717, which is a decrease of 38% since 30 June 2021.
HCP price capping FAQs and webinar recording now available
More than 770 people attended our webinar about capping Home Care Package administration and management charges.
Thank you to everyone who attended and submitted their questions. A list of Frequently Asked Questions is now available.
If you were unable to attend the webinar, a recording is now available.
For more information about the pricing changes commencing 1 January 2023, visit the department website.
Watch the video of the latest webinar on AN-ACC, care minutes and 24/7 nursing
The video, slides and transcript of the latest aged care funding reform webinar are now published on the department’s website.
The webinar, held on 17 November, gave updates on the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) and important information for providers, including:
- 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.
The questions and answers from this webinar will be published soon on the AN-ACC resources web page.
For more information see the AN-ACC Funding Guide and Care minutes and 24/7 nursing requirements guide.
Specialisation Verification: Online application process and webinar recording
Are you an aged care provider who delivers specialised services for people with diverse experiences, backgrounds and needs? Now is the time to apply online via the My Aged Care (MAC) service and support portal to have the specialisation claims on your MAC provider profile verified.
Unverified specialisation claims will be removed from your MAC provider profile from February 2023. To give you an overview of the changes, we have created a Specialisation Verification timeline.
If you missed the webinar on the new online Specialisation Verification application process, you can now watch a recording on the department’s website.
New online learning platform for the My Aged Care Screening and Assessment Workforce
The department is investing to deliver an enhanced online learning platform for the My Aged Care Screening and Assessment workforce.
The new platform MAClearning will support ongoing implementation of minimum training requirements under the My Aged Care Screening and Assessment Workforce Training Strategy.
MAClearning will go -live for enrolment of new screening and assessment staff from 1 March 2023.
The workforce, including the My Aged Care contact centre and assessment organisations, will be supported during a teach-out period from the current My Aged Care Learning Environment (MACLE). Enrolments will cease on 28 February 2023.
More information on transition to the MAClearning platform will be communicated in early 2023.
Improving provider information on My Aged Care: Maintaining data
The My Aged Care website provides tips on updating your information in the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal, to help providers make sure their profiles in the Find a Provider tool are accurate and helpful to older people.
Guidance is available on:
- writing informative summaries
- presenting and updating costs
- adding images, brochures or other additional information.
Providers are reminded to review and update their profiles regularly, as this helps clients find you, and helps My Aged Care to refer clients to your service.
For information about maintaining a strong provider profile, access the profile tips information on the My Aged Care website.