About Support at Home program assurance
Support at Home program assurance reviews and activities will start as soon as possible. We will focus on key risks to value for money for participants and the Australian public because:
- participants cannot appropriately exercise their right to choice
- funds are used fraudulently
- funds are used inappropriately or inadvertently/error.
We will conduct evidence-based checks to ensure registered providers use Support at Home funds efficiently, effectively and for approved purposes.
Why program assurance is important
As proven with program assurance for the previous Home Care Packages Program, our review activities, findings and outcomes help improve compliance and performance.
By conducting risk-based assurance reviews and activities for Support at Home, we will
- help ensure that participants benefit from maximum funding going towards their services
- help minimise payment misuse, fraud and error
- increase providers’ knowledge of Support at Home to support continuous improvement and help them meet program requirements
- support ongoing improvements.
Approach to reviews and activities
Consistent with our previous approach, the following principles will underpin our program assurance reviews and activities for Support at Home:
- continuous improvement
- risk-based and data driven, and
- collaboration, engagement, and trust.
Before we begin Support at Home program assurance activities, we will release the:
- program assurance framework
- program assurance plan.
Support at Home Community of Practice
The Support at Home Community of Practice supports all registered providers, not just those subject to a program assurance review or activity.
The Community of Practice also offers a space for providers to talk with us and each other on program assurance reviews and related matters.
We encourage providers to join the Community of Practice.
Sharing results
As we finalise Support at Home program assurance reviews, we will share findings with participating providers.
We will use our Community of Practice to share relevant learnings with providers.
As required, we will develop and publish summary reports to share key findings with the sector.
Legislative powers
Under the Aged Care Act 2024 (the Act), we are delegated the role of System Governor from our Secretary to protect the integrity and government investment in the aged care system.
Under the Act (sections 508-513), our assurance activities may focus on any aspect of the System Governor’s functions, including but not limited to, how providers:
- use subsidy or grants and charge for services, including justification for costs charged
- structure their financial accounting for delivery of services
- deliver funded aged care services
- work with the individuals to whom they deliver funded aged care services
- keep records and information
- apply and document procedures.
In undertaking assurance activities we can request that a provider or other person give information and documents that are relevant to the assurance activity.
We may publish reports on program assurance activities, which may include findings, conclusions or recommendations in relation to a provider
Providers must cooperate with the review process including relevant findings. Failure to do so could result in consequences under the Act.