Delivering reforms to improve aged care

We invite you to stay involved in the reforms. To engage with us about the aged care reforms, visit the Aged Care Engagement Hub.

Reforms delivered

On this page you will find a chronological account of reform activities that have been delivered, including a visual representation of past activities. For future reforms please visit the main Aged care reform roadmap page.

July 2023

• The Responsibility for financial monitoring has transferred from the department to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC), as part of the ACQSC’s expanded role as the prudential regulator.
• The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) has replaced the previous Community Visitor Scheme.
• The new Food and Nutrition Advisory Support Unit (FND Unit) – Staffed by specialists within the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and dietitian experts has been established.
• The government funded 15 per cent award wages increase for many aged care workers has commenced.
• The Office of the Inspector General of Aged Care was established and the appointment of the acting Inspector-General commenced.
• The requirement for approved residential aged care services to have a registered nurse onsite and on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week commenced on 1 July.
• Integrated Care and Commissioning trials progressively rolled out in 10 sites around Australia in geographically and culturally thin markets, focussing on opportunities to support providers and communities to deliver services across care and support sectors especially aged care and disability.

June 2023

• Aged Care Taskforce[DM4]  established. First meeting held 16 June 2023.
• Commencement of the Elder Care Support Program to recruit and train a skilled workforce to provide face-to-face support to assist older First Nations people in navigating and accessing aged care services (68 staff). The initiative is in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).

May 2023

• Funded Fair Work Commission’s decision on the Aged Care Work Value case of a 15% increase to award wages for aged care workers to take effect from 30 June 2023.
• The role of a new Complaints Commissioner in the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission commenced.

April 2023

• Monthly Care Statements for residential aged care. Stage 2 of the pilot underway to improve the quality of information shared between a residential aged care home and its residents.
• New IT System,  Government Provider Management System (GPMS) launched. Over time  it will allow for greater connectivity and data sharing between aged care providers and government.
• Six additional Aged Care Quality Indicators for residential aged care providers were introduced. We have expanded the Quality Indicators (QI) Program to include 6 additional quality indicators.
• New Council of Elders Chair appointed.

March 2023

• Inspector-General of Aged Care Bill introduced to Parliament.
• Residents’ Experience Surveys (previously Consumer Experience Interviews) underway for 2023 to offer older people in residential aged care the opportunity to share feedback about the quality of care they receive.

February 2023

• The Australian Digital Health Agency launched the project My Health Record Registration. The project aims to connect 80 per cent of residential aged care facilities to My Health Record by June 2024. The national rollout has commenced with Victoria and New South Wales.
• First Quarterly Financial Snapshot of the Australian Aged Care Sector published to provide information on the financial performance of the Australian aged care sector.

January 2023

• Home Care Package admin and management fees capped from 1 January 2023 to reduce excessive administration and management costs in the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program.
• Care Finder Program launched. It provides support for vulnerable older people to interact with My Aged Care, access aged care services and access other relevant supports in the community.
• Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care commenced in role.

December 2022

• Code of Conduct for Aged Care launched 1 December for the aged care workforce. Commencement of strengthened safeguards for older Australians receiving aged care services.
• Serious Incident Response Scheme expanded to home care and flexible care provided in a home or community setting to reduce abuse and neglect in Australian Government-subsidised aged care.
• Strengthened provider governance measures put in place to improve the quality and transparency of aged care services.
• Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care announced.
• Star Ratings system for residential care commenced, for older people, their families and carers, to make informed choices.

November 2022

• New Quarterly Financial Report data submitted, mandatory food and nutrition reporting for residential aged care providers included.
• Financial Report on the Australian Aged Care Sector published.
• Home Care Package recipients can access up to $2,500 for urgent goods, equipment and assistive technologies through the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).

October 2022

• New Residential Aged Care funding model Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC), commenced to ensure residential aged care funding meets the cost of caring for older people.
• Independent review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) commenced to assess capability of the aged care regulator.
• System Changes to Support Carer Referrals from My Aged Care to Carer Gateway and/or Dementia Australia.
• Food and Nutrition in residential aged care homes, 12 month report published.
• Aged Care Financial Report Annual reporting due.

Previous Budget fact sheets

Supporting people from diverse background and experiences

• Measures to support people living with dementia and their carers
• Reforms to support Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Aged care measures to support people from diverse backgrounds

Home care

• Supporting senior Australians to remain independent for longer
• Support for informal carers
• Immediate investment to address critical need
• Connecting senior Australians to aged care services
• Enhanced program oversight in Home Care Packages
• Future design and funding

Residential aged care

• Improved funding for residential aged care
• Improving choice for senior Australians through a more innovative, resilient and competitive market
• Reforming residential care funding to drive better care and a viable system
• Reforming accommodation settings in residential aged care
• Mandatory care time standards and reporting
• Residential care funding uplift
• Independent hospital and aged care pricing authority

Quality, safety and choice 

• Assuring access to multidisciplinary care and maintaining effective quality audits
• Protecting consumers by strengthening regulatory powers and capability
• Strengthening provider quality
• Improving access to primary care and other health services
• Empowering consumers of aged care with information to exercise choice
• Improving quality and safety across the aged care sector include the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)

Workforce

• Growing and upskilling the workforce to improve care for older Australians
• Single assessment workforce for aged care
• National care and support worker regulation
• Extending the care and support workforce national campaign

Governance

• Delivering a strong regulatory framework and growing community engagement
• New Aged Care Act
• More equitable access to aged care for First Nations people and special needs groups
• Strengthening provider governance
• Strengthening regional stewardship of aged care
• Strengthening and streamlining current governance arrangements