News

Media Release: 08 April 2016

A new four-strain flu vaccine, protecting against the nasty Brisbane virus, is being made available for at-risk Australians for free from this month by the Turnbull Government, to help them build up their immunity in time for the peak flu season due in August 2016.

Minister for Health Sussan Ley today announced the Federal Government had already begun rolling out the new 2016 vaccine, with $31.3 million made available for up to 4.48 million free doses of the new flu booster.

Ms Ley said the Turnbull Government had moved quickly to upgrade Australia’s flu vaccine stocks from three strains to four, after the arrival of the Brisbane flu strain last year led to 2015 being recorded as the worst flu season in years.

Read more:

New four-strain flu vaccine available from this month (.pdf)

The Department of Health has released a new edition of its ‘Information for Aged Care Providers’ newsletter.

Information for Aged Care Providers – Issue #2016/6 (.pdf)

The Best Practice Food and Nutrition Manual for Aged Care Facilities (2nd edition) is now available for free download from the Central Coast Local Health District, Public Health Nutrition webpage.

This manual has been developed to help aged care homes provide optimal, safe, nutritious and enjoyable food for residents.

The major themes throughout the new edition are maximising resident food enjoyment and minimising malnutrition. Emphasis is on enjoying everyday foods and removing unnecessary dietary restrictions which can lead to malnutrition.

Read more:

Best Practice Food and Nutrition Manual – Edition 2 (.pdf)

The Department of Health has released a new edition of its ‘Information for Aged Care Providers’ newsletter.

Information for Aged Care Providers – Issue #2016/5 (.pdf)

The Maximum Permissible Interest Rate (MPIR) applicable to ‘refund periods’ for refundable deposit balances and accommodation bond balances and for accommodation prices will increase from 6.22% to 6.28% for the period of 1 April to 30 June 2016.

The Base Interest Rate remains unchanged at 3.75%.

Read more:

Refundable Deposit Balance and Accommodation Bond Balance Refund Interest Rates

The Maximum Basic Daily Fee for Residential Care from 20th March 2016 is now: $48.25.

For pre 1 July 2014 residents the Protected, Phased and Non-Standard rates have also changed (see .pdf below)

The complete list of updated DSS Schedule of Fees and Charges can be found below:

Schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care: from 20 March 2016 (.pdf)

Schedule of Fees and Charges for Pre 1 July 2014 Residents: from 20 March 2016 (.pdf)

Media Release: 18 March 2016

Thousands of Australians will benefit from a substantial increase in funding for aged care services, with the Australian Government announcing 17,385 new aged care places worth an estimated $910 million.

Announcing the results of the 2015 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) and new arrangements for the 2016 ACAR, Minister for Aged Care Sussan Ley said the additional funding would benefit thousands of older Australians.

Of the 17,385 new places, 10,940 include new residential places worth an estimated $678.3 million and 6,445 new home care places, worth an estimated $232.4 million.

“These new home care places help our elderly remain in their own home and receive the care they need, which is particularly important for anyone with high-level needs,” Ms Ley said.

Read more:

$910 million boost creates over 17,000 new aged care places (.pdf)

A total of 17,385 new aged care places (10,940 residential aged care places and 6,445 home care places) were allocated across Australia in the 2015 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR). These new places have an estimated annual recurrent funding value of over $910 million.

In addition, $67 million in capital grants has been allocated nationwide to help aged care providers to establish new services or upgrade existing facilities.

Read more:

Results of the 2015 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR)

The Australian Aged Care Quality Agency has released the March 2016 issue of their ‘Quality Standard’ newsletter.

Read more:

Quality Standard – March 2016 (.pdf)

The Department of Health has released a new edition of its ‘Information for Aged Care Providers’ newsletter.

Information for Aged Care Providers – Issue #2016/4 (.pdf)