Month: July 2022

The Albanese Labor Government has announced it will conduct a capability review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

Minister for Aged Care the Hon. Anika Wells today confirmed that the capability review would proceed after the former Morrison Government failed to act on the Royal Commission recommendation.

“Australians told us that quality and safety in aged care is of utmost importance, and the Albanese Labor Government is progressing this review,” Minister Wells said.

“The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is responsible for protecting and improving the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life for older Australians receiving funded aged care services.

“It is critical that the Commission is fit for purpose.”

Read more:

Capability Review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

News about the reforms:

• In-home aged care reform to be delivered by 1 July 2024
• Update: Aged Care Financial Report
• Quarterly Financial Reporting and care minutes

Other news:

• Aged care providers need to have specialised services verified on My Aged Care
• Dementia Carer Respite and Wellbeing Program
• Free online healthy ageing tool
• Webinar: Volunteering and Swinburne’s Digital Story Program in Aged Care
• Online Aged Care Mental Health Training

For residential care providers:

• Residential respite care funding under AN-ACC

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update newsletter – Issue #2022/14 (.pdf)

The reform agenda anticipated in the wake of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Royal Commission) has recommenced.

On 27 July 2022, the Government introduced two new aged care Bills to the House of Representatives:

1. Aged Care Amendment (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022 (Care Reform Bill); and
2. Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment (Royal Commission Response) Bill 2022 (Royal Commission Response Bill 2022).

The Royal Commission Response Bill 2022 quickly progressed through the House of Representatives, and passed the Senate on 2 August 2022 without amendment.

The Care Reform Bill was referred to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, with a report due on 31 August 2022.

Approved Providers should act quickly to ensure compliance with these Bills, with some reform expected as soon as 1 October 2022.

Read more:

New Aged Care Bills have landed – An overview of expected reform

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission new and updated resources.

Read more:

Reportable incidents workflow (July 2022) (.pdf)

SIRS reportable incidents – Unlawful sexual contact or inappropriate sexual conduct (July 2022) (.pdf)

COVID-19 oral antiviral treatments in residential aged care services – July 2022 (.pdf)

How prepared are you for a COVID-19 outbreak? – fact sheet (.pdf)