News
Your aged care update #13, 2023
Your Aged Care Update #13: Star Ratings provider previews, volunteer training survey, latest HCP data report, and more.
Aged Care Alert – New Government Provider Management System (GPMS) for residential aged care providers
The Government Provider Management System (GPMS) was launched on the 3 April. This is a new IT system part of the Aged Care Digital Transformation initiative.
Your aged care update #12, 2023
Your Aged Care Update #12: new GPMS portal, financial reporting for Quarter 3, free business or workforce reviews, and more.
Your aged care update #11, 2023
Your Aged Care Update #11: Inspector-General of Aged Care Bill, new Quality Indicators for residential aged care, and more
Aged Care Alert – March 2023 indexation: Updated schedules, quarterly review and change to MPIR
Updated schedules for residential and home care will apply from 20 March 2023.
Your aged care update #08, 2023
Your aged care update #08: news about the reforms, sector news, information for residential care providers and more.
Your Aged Care Update #07, 2023
Your Aged Care update #07: Have your say on aged care reforms, updated HCP monthly statement template and more
Your Aged Care Update #06, 2023
Your Aged Care Update #06: Residents’ Experience Surveys, register for webinars and training, and more
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Newsletter 5 December 2022
What’s new: Recording of COVID-19 aged care update webinar, Festive season resources for providers and more.
Recognising our aged care volunteers
We recognise and celebrates our dedicated aged care volunteers today on International Volunteer Day.
Aged Care Alert – Important update: Residential aged care quarterly review of fees
Important update to the Residential aged care quarterly review of fees.
Protecting Older Australians – Advice for home and community aged care providers responding to emergencies
Flooding advice for aged care home and community providers.
Your Aged Care Update issue 24, 2022
Your Aged Care Update #24: Star Ratings webinar, payment system updates from Services Australia, and more
Protecting Older Australians – Flooding preparedness
In this edition: Flood events and aged care preparedness and High risk weather preparedness briefing webinar.
Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 update 14 October 2022
In this edition: Aged care COVID-19 update webinar and COVID-19 isolation requirements for high-risk settings, including residential aged care homes.
Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 update 30 September 2022
In this edition: webinar – aged care COVID-19 update, revised CDNA Guidelines and Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) update and more.
Protecting Older Australians – Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (VACRC) cessation 30 September 2022
The Victorian Aged Care Response Centre (VACRC) will cease operations on 30 September 2022.
Aged Care Alert – Are you ready for AN-ACC? Self-assessment tool available until 2 September
The new Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN‑ACC) funding model for residential aged care starts on the 1 October 2022.
Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 update 16 August 2022
In this edition: Weekly webinar on Aged Care and COVID-19; Grief and trauma support for the aged care sector and Emergency leave new claim type
Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 update 10 August 2022
In this edition: Weekly webinar on COVID-19 in aged care; Rapid Antigen Test Kit supply's continue and COVID-19 Vaccination and Antiviral treatment fact sheet.
Expansion of quality indicators in aged care
The National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program) is expanding in residential and in-home aged care. Learn more about how we will do this.
Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 Update 1 August 2022
In this edition: Weekly webinar on aged care and COVID-19, Resident COVID-19 vaccination rates by facility available and COVID-19 vaccination for aged care residents.
Your Aged Care update Issue 14, 2022
Your Aged Care Update issue #14: Dementia Carer Respite Program, in-home aged care reform, and more.
Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 Update 26 July 2022
In this edition: Weekly webinar on aged care and COVID-19, Extension of Australian Defence Force (ADF) support for residential aged care and NSW Chief Health Officer Update.
Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 update 14 July 2022
In this edition: release of the Aged Care Winter Plan 2022, COVID-19 oral treatments, improvements to outbreak reporting and changes to the provision of RAT test kits.
Chief Medical Officer’s statement on standard of care on COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments in residential aged care facilities
A statement from Professor Paul Kelly, Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, about the standard of care on COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments in residential aged care facilities.
Aged Care Alert – Release of AN-ACC funding and care minutes estimator and new fact sheets
Residential aged care providers can now access the AN-ACC funding and care minutes estimator and new fact sheets.
Winter dose clinics for residents and eligible workers – aged care facilities
Residential aged care facilities are responsible for ensuring residents have access to the recommended additional winter booster dose as soon as they are eligible.
Managing Influenza and COVID-19 in residential aged care
The Department of Health is operating in accordance with the caretaker conventions.
Aged Care Alert – AN-ACC funding reform updates
Residential aged care providers can now access the outcome of completed Australian National Aged Care Classifications (AN-ACC) shadow assessments
Protecting Older Australians – Emergency PPE deployment to Western Australian residential aged care facilities
Advice for Western Australian residential aged care facilities (RACFs) to remain alert and prepared for a potential outbreak of COVID-19.
Message from Queensland Health – Severe weather, emergency support and business continuity
Queensland disaster management plans to help residents and businesses prepare, respond and recover from various hazards, weather events and emergencies.
Webinar for residential aged care providers – updated CDNA guidelines
The department is hosting a free webinar for residential aged care providers on Thursday 24 February 2022 3.15pm – 4:15pm AEDT.
Aged Care Alert – January 2022 indexation – Updated Schedules, Quarterly Review and increase to MPIR
An update of the Schedules for residential and home care fees and charges will take effect from 1 January 2022.
Webinar on aged care funding reforms: 13 October
We are hosting a webinar on changes to aged care funding and reporting requirements.
September 2021 indexation: Updated Schedules, Quarterly Review and decrease to MPIR
An update of the Schedules for residential and home care fees and charges and subsidies and supplements will take effect from 20 September 2021.
Have your say: Guiding principles for medication management
Two publications for the national quality use of medicines (QUM) are being updated, we are asking for your input.
QLD Health update – restrictions for RACFs
Logan City Council has been declared as a Restricted Area by Queensland Health. Learn more about these restrictions, including other local government authorities that have extra requirements for residential aged care facilities.
Special COVID-19 webinar for Residential aged care workers in NSW
All residential aged care workers in New South Wales are invited to a special live webinar on Wednesday 1 September from 2.30pm – 3:30pm AEST
Reminder – Special Covid-19 webinar for Residential aged care workers in Queensland
All residential aged care workers in Queensland are invited to a special live webinar this Friday 27 August from 2.00pm - 3.00pm AEST
COVID-19 vaccination webinar series for residential aged care workers starts tomorrow
A series of jurisdiction-specific webinars on mandatory COVID-19 vaccination for residential aged care workers will commence from tomorrow, Thursday 26 August.
Supporting residential aged care workers to get vaccinated now
Vaccination rates among residential aged care workers are steadily rising as the September deadline for mandatory vaccination approaches and the number of vaccination clinics and hubs increase.
Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 Update 26 July 2021
In this edition: NSW Health update, SA Health update, QLD Health – updated directions and more.
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer opinion piece on improved COVID safety levels in Victorian residential aged care facilities
An opinion piece from Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer, Professor Alison McMillan, PSM, on the greatly improved COVID safety levels in Victorian residential aged care facilities.
Updated Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) guidance for residential aged care providers
Update to the SIR guidelines for residential aged care providers to help providers to understand their reporting obligations.
Update: Support for Aged Care Workers in COVID-19 (SACWIC) grant opportunity deadlines
This Grant Opportunity is now open to approved residential aged care providers, approved National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program (NATSIFACP) providers and approved home care providers. It is initially limited to Greater Melbourne and Mitchell Shire.
QI Program from 1 July 2021 - Manual 2.0 Part A now published
What's new: From the 1 July Residential aged care providers need to collect and report on new quality indicators under the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program).
Review of the Guiding principles for medication management in residential aged care facilities and in the community
The Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Carewill lead a review and update of the guiding principles for medication management in residential aged care facilities and in the community to support the safe and quality use of medicines.
Survey: Improving hearing health in residential aged care
This survey is seeking the views of residential aged care management and staff for Improving hearing health in residential aged care.
Invitation to participate in focus groups on a Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) for home and community aged care
You are invited to take part in a series of focus groups being run by KPMG that will look at expanding the SIRS. Currently only available in residential aged care, we are looking to extend this to home and community aged care. Have your say in this consultation.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 5 March 2021
What's New: COVID-19 vaccine consent – a reminder, GPs who provide care within RACFs included in phase 1a and more.
Protecting Older Australians – COVID-19 Update 2 March 2021
What’s new: Guidance on COVID-19 vaccine consent, COVID-19 vaccine scenario mapping and triage process, Aged care staff eligibility for phase 1a.
IPC lead training deadline
It is the responsibility of providers to support Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) leads to complete their studies.
Protecting Older Australians - COVID-19 Update 26 February 2021
What’s new: Update on the COVID-19 Vaccine rollout in residential aged care facilities, Guidance for monitoring side effects of COVID-19 vaccines, Translated information for aged care residents and workers.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update - 19 February 2021
This edition includes a friendly reminder about the new information available to prepare for the COVID-19 vaccine rollout.
Services Australia aged care quarterly review
The next Services Australia quarterly review for Residential Care and Home Care will take place on 16 January 2021 with a date of effect of 1 January 2021.
Information for the Aged Care Sector Issue 2020/27
What’s new: operation hours over the holiday period, the CARE-IT Report, Aged Care Signage to 57 languages, Home Care Packages Program Data Report and more.
Update advice for NSW Aged Care Providers
In response to the increase in number of COVID-19 cases in New South Wales, aged care providers are reminded to regularly visit the NSW Health website for updated advice and directions. Advice is being updated regularly including visitation arrangements.
Update advice for NSW Aged Care Providers
In response to a recent increase in the number of COVID-19 cases in New South Wales, NSW Health has issued updated advice to residential aged care providers and home care providers.
Applications for the 2020 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) are now open
The 2020 Aged Care Approvals Round is now open. Find out what you can apply for and when applications close.
Protecting older Australians: COVID-19 update 18 December 2020
Extending mental health support for aged care residents; resources from Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission; Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission visitor access campaign; reminder about entry restrictions to RACFs and more.
Interest rates for Residential Aged Care
An update of the schedules for residential and home care fees and charges will take effect from 1 January 2021.
Infection Prevention and Control training for Residential Aged Care Facilities in NSW
NSW Health has delivered Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) training to all residential aged care providers in NSW using a Train-the-Trainer format.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 11 December 2020
What’s new: webinars from ACSA, Safer Care Victoria and the VACRC, reminder about entry restrictions during the Christmas period, deadline for variations to payment 3 of the workforce retention bonus and more.
Selecting specialisations in My Aged Care – share your experiences
Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA) is reviewing the current arrangements for aged care providers to nominate specialisations in the My Aged Care Find a Provider tool. The online survey is available until 18 December 2020.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 4 December 2020
What’s new: survey on the surge workforce program, 2020 Aged Care Workforce Census, updated South Australian guidance, Webinar reminder – visitor access and resident movement.
New regulatory arrangements for aged care providers from 1 December 2020
From 1 December 2020 there are new regulatory arrangements for residential aged care providers and Multi-Purpose Services who provide care to NDIS participants.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 2 December 2020
What’s new: Government’s response to the Royal Commission’s Progress Report and the updated National COVID-19 Aged Care Plan, outbreak management planning for RACFs, virtual ACFI reviews, updated Directions for SA and Victoria and SACWIC Grants still open.
Aged Care Centre for Growth and Translational Research (CGTR) – online consultation is now live
Your opportunity to participate in the consultations to model the Aged Care Centre for Growth and Translational Research.
IPC Lead reporting now available
Infection Prevention and Control (IPC) leads can now report in the My Aged Care Provider Portal.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 25 November 2020
What’s new: extended timeline to apply for Business Improvement Fund Grants, updated NSW advice for Victorian visitors, translated aged care COVID-19 resources available and updated aged care visitation guidelines for residential aged care.
Important information: CHSP – Wellness and Reablement report
The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) Reablement Community of Practice has just been launched and provides a discussion forum for CHSP providers to engage with other providers about wellness and reablement.
Education program to help improve dementia care
A new educational program has been developed to support nurses and pharmacists who work within residential aged care facilities to learn more about person-centred care approaches and reconsider the role of these psychotropic medicines.
South Australian Updated Residential Aged Care Direction
Updated advice from SA Health for residential aged care facilities.
CHSP grandfathered client additional migration - My Aged Care provider portal now open
The My Aged Care provider portal is open for 10 weeks and will close at 11.59pm AEDT on Friday 29 January 2021.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 20 November 2020
What’s new: It’s OK to continue to receive home care in SA, Flu Vaccination information, and the Aged Care Workforce Retention Payment 3 and audit program.
Advice for South Australian Aged Care Providers during lockdown
Information to assist aged care providers during the SA lockdown.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 18 November 2020
What’s new: updated Direction for South Australian residential aged care, ACQSC assessment contacts of South Australian residential services, ACOC & ACOS closing this Friday, providers to use ACPP instead, Victorian Guiding Principles ending on 30 November and updated NSW advice for aged care.
Updated South Australian Direction for Residential Aged Care Facilities
Details the updated direction from SA Health for residential aged care facilities
Aged care providers in South Australia reminded to stay vigilant
A reminder for aged care providers in South Australia to remain vigilant.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 13 November 2020
What’s new: extension of the COVID-19 support line and updated Victorian Department of Health and Human Services Directive.
The Guiding Principles in Victoria are ending
Announcing the end of the Guiding Principles for Victorian residential aged care facilities on 30 November 2020.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 11 November 2020
What’s new: infection prevention and control leads in aged care facilities, one week to go to start using the Aged Care Provider Portal for online claims, ACQSC ‘Lessons Learned’ project and a reminder for the webinar on grief and trauma support.
Further guidance on infection prevention and control lead requirements
Providing further information on IPC lead requirements.
Reminder: Role of lump sum accommodation payments survey
The residential aged care sector survey closes Friday 13 November.
Protecting older Australians: COVID-19 update 6 November 2020
What’s new: new mental health campaign launched, residential aged care visitation assistants available in Victoria, testing of asymptomatic residential aged care workers in Victoria, Queensland update on RACF visitations and South Australian update on workforce restrictions.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 4 November 2020
What’s new: grief and trauma webinars for the aged care community, updated NSW Health advice on masks in RACFs, Zoom tools for people living with dementia and Aged Care Funding Instrument Desk Reviews
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 23 October 2020
What’s new: grief and trauma support webinar, guide to buying PPE for COVID-19, nutrition for seniors and ACQSC translated resources.
Improved Payment Arrangements budget measure – bill 2 introduced
Bill 2 of the Aged Care Legislation Amendment has been introduced to support the implementation of the Improved Payment Arrangements measure announced in the 20–21 Budget.
Webinar series: Changes to regulatory arrangements for residential aged care providers supporting NDIS participants from 1 December 2020
Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) is currently delivering a series of webinars to help Residential Aged Care (RAC) providers.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update 21 October 2020
What’s new: updated directives for Victorian aged care workers, update on VACRC early warning system, living well in the COVID-19 pandemic and mental health support for aged care workers.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 16 October 2020
What’s new: testing of asymptomatic residential aged care workers in Victoria, grief and trauma support for the aged care sector, new COVID-19 supplement, extended support for aged care workers in grant, hay fever and COVID-19 and updated NSW restrictions.
The Australian National Aged Care Classification Shadow and Trial
The Australian Government has announced its continued development of the possible replacement for the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI), the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC).
Update: Further extension of the Support for Aged Care Workers in COVID-19 Grant
The Support for Aged Care Workers in COVID-19 Grant opportunity has been extended until 30 November 2020.
New COVID-19 Supplement
Announcement from Minister Colbeck of a new supplement to assist residential aged care providers prepare and respond to COVID-19.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 14 October 2020
What’s new: updated visitor exclusions for NSW aged care facilities; updated visitor restrictions, mask rules and testing requirements in Victoria; mental health support available; translated resource: Six steps to stop the spread of COVID-19; and a reminder to stay home if unwell.
COVID-19 Reminder of preparedness and infection control measures
Reminder to aged care providers on COVID infection control measures.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 9 October 2020
What’s new: Federal Budget 2020-21, VACRC PPE donning and doffing posters and reminder of translated resources available.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 7 October 2020
What’s new: updated directive from Queensland Health, additional PPE for Victorian providers, DHHS resources for Victorian providers, latest COVID-19 data update for aged care providers and LASA National Ten Days of Congress.
Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 update 2 October 2020
What’s new: Aged Care Royal Commission COVID-19 report, additional P2/N95 masks for Melbourne and the Mitchell Shire, advice on returning to work for aged care workers in Victoria, updated NSW advice for providers and a reminder on the third retention bonus payment.
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