Aim of the review
It is important that the aged care sector has a fit for purpose regulator upholding the rights and standards of best-practice care for older Australians.
The review looked at whether the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has the appropriate resources, workforce and skills to:
- meet its legal and regulatory responsibilities
- accredit aged care providers
- deliver education activities to ensure the protection, safety and welfare of older people using aged care services
- investigate complaints to ensure providers comply with the Aged Care Quality Standards and take action if required
- work closely with aged care providers
- promote an aged care experience that our community expects, and older Australians deserve.
The commission will continue to perform its regulatory functions as normal while the government considers the review’s recommendations.
Terms of reference
The terms of reference set out the main principles and governance arrangements for the review.
We consulted national peak bodies and other stakeholders across the aged care sector to develop the terms of reference.
Terms of reference – Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission capability review
Timing of the review
The review commenced in October 2022 and took six months to complete.
Final Report
Submitted to Government in the first half of 2023, the final report provides advice on how to strengthen the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, as the national aged care regulator, in order to ensure the safety and wellbeing of older Australians and meet the challenges of the Australian aged care sector.
The final report contains 32 recommendations that are key enablers to build on the aged care regulator's capabilities.
The government will carefully consider all recommendations as a matter of priority.
Final Report – Independent Capability Review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Lead reviewer
Mr David Tune AO PSM led the review with a dedicated support team. He is a former public servant and is the Chair of the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority.
Mr Tune has led reviews across both state and federal governments, including:
- Co-chairing the independent review of Parliamentary Entitlements for the Commonwealth Government (2015)
- Legislative Review of Aged Care (2016)
- Independent review of the National Disability Insurance Scheme (2019)
- Independent review into the Total and Permanently Incapacitated Payment (2019)
- Function and Efficiency Review of the National Archives of Australia (2020)
- Independent review of the Regional Investment Corporation (2021).
Consultations and submissions
The public submission process closed on 2 December 2022 and received 62 submissions. Information on the target questions is available on the Consultation Hub.
The review team also undertook more than 50 targeted stakeholder consultations with peak bodies and key aged care stakeholders, to inform the review.
Contact
