News

In this edition:

• Commissioner’s message
• Aged care reforms update
• Food, nutrition and dining
• Governing for reform
• Training and resources

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Aged Care Quality Bulletin #60 – December 2023

This collection includes fact sheets about various aspects of the proposed new Aged Care Act.

The new Act will be introduced to Parliament in 2024, with a further amendment Bill introduced to establish the Support at Home program to start in 2025.

Webinar:

Webinar – December 14: New Aged Care Act and Support at Home program update

Consultation papers:

A new Aged Care Act: exposure draft – Consultation paper no. 2 (.pdf)

A new Aged Care Act: exposure draft – Consultation paper no. 2 summary – Plain English version (.pdf)

Exposure draft – Aged Care Bill 2023 (.pdf)

Diagrams:

The new Aged Care Act – What’s new? What’s different? (.pdf)

Aged care system governance under the draft new Aged Care Act (.pdf)

Making a nominee arrangement under the draft new Aged Care Act (.pdf)

Who will be able to access aged care under the draft new Aged Care Act (.pdf)

A stronger aged care regulator under the draft new Aged Care Act (.pdf)

Phases of aged care reform (.pdf)

A rights-based approach under the draft new Aged Care Act (.pdf)

Upholding the rights of older people under the draft new Aged Care Act (.pdf)

Aged care services model under the draft new Aged Care Act (.pdf)

Whistleblower protections under the draft new Aged Care Act (.pdf)

Frequently asked questions:

A new Aged Care Act – Frequently asked questions (.pdf)

Webinar slides:

New Aged Care Act and Support at Home program update – webinar slides – 14 December 2023 (.pdf)

Ms Andrea Kelly has been named as the interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner. She is a much-respected First Nations leader and brings 32 years’ experience engaging with First Nations communities and developing public policy.

‘I am delighted to accept the role of Interim Commissioner and for the opportunity to advocate for and work directly with First Nations people regarding their aged care needs.’

Ms Kelly is a proud Warumungu and Larrakia woman, with strong family connections throughout the Northern Territory.

The interim Commissioner will be engaging with First Nations communities and stakeholders on the design and functions of a permanent Commissioner role, including where it is located.

Read more:

Announcement of interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner

Sector news

• Fourth Quarterly Financial Snapshot of approved providers released
• Webinar recording: Publishing provider reporting
• Changes to Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program
• Aged Care Wages – Historical Leave Liability Grant Opportunity

Residential care

• Reminder to keep your accommodation deposit approvals up to date
• Care minute targets for January to March 2024
• Quality Indicator program – new template
• New places to people guide – Preparing for a more competitive market
• COVID-19: Keeping aged care residents connected
• Submit your payment claim to Services Australia by 15 December

In-home care

• Fair Work Commission Home Care Packages Supplementation Grant

Workforce

• Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payments Round 2
• Maggie Beer Foundation: New online training modules
• Micro training course: Culturally inclusive service delivery

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Your Aged Care Update: Issue 48

The Albanese Government’s aged care reforms are already delivering with the latest financial outlook showing a sector providing more minutes of care per resident, while recovering to a more stable and sustainable setting.

The latest Aged Care Quarterly Financial Snapshot (QFS) shows the overall financial performance of residential aged care providers improved throughout the 2022-23 financial year. This follows the Albanese Government’s immediate introduction of the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding model, which came into effect 1 October 2022.

The snapshot shows that residential aged care providers delivered an average of 194 minutes of care per resident per day in the final quarter of 2022-23, an increase of 4 minutes. The Labor Government’s 200 mandatory care minutes came into effect from 1 October 2023.

Read more:

Ambitious aged care reforms delivering

Sector news

• COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program extension grant finalisation
• Celebrating volunteers in aged care
• Free translating and interpreting services
• National Principles to Address Coercive Control

Residential care

• AN-ACC price increased
• Be prepared for power outages
• Online survey: Medication Advisory Committees

In-home care

• Support at Home to be rolled out in two stages
• Home Care Packages Program Data Report
• Transition of Disability Support for Older Australians Program

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Your Aged Care Update: Issue 47

On 1 December 2023, the Australian Government announced an investment of a more than $2 billion in residential aged care. This increases the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) price to $253.82.

This additional funding supports aged care homes to pay the full increase in award wages for care staff, as handed down by the Fair Work Commission.

Funding includes:

• $ 2.2 billion in AN-ACC funding
• $21.5 million in 24/7 registered nurse supplement funding.

The funding increase includes back pay for the 1 July to 30 November period.

Read more:

Schedule of Subsidies and Supplements for Aged Care – from 1 December 2023 (.pdf)

More than $2 billion boost for aged care homes to fund award wage increase

The Albanese Government is investing billions of dollars to increase the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) price to $253.82 from 1 December 2023.

Our $2.194 billion commitment will support residential aged care providers to fund the Fair Work Commission’s Annual Wage Review decision, which increases the award wage for aged care staff by 5.75%.

The increase accounts for back pay funding for the 1 July to 30 November period and ensures aged care homes are funded to pay the increased award wages for registered nurses, enrolled nurses, assistants in nursing, personal care workers and recreational activities officers (lifestyle workers).

As part of this uplift to support the award wage rise, an additional $21.5 million has been committed for 24/7 RN supplement funding, also commencing 1 December 2023.

Read more:

More than $2 billion boost for aged care homes to fund award wage increase

As we help our approved provider clients prepare their governing bodies to include a majority of independent non-executive persons, we are continuing to see questions and confusion about whether advisory or non-voting persons can help to meet this requirement. The Commission’s Regulatory Bulletin (RB2023-23) released 28 November 2023 also helps to clarify certain aspects.

In our 17 October 2023 alert, we dispelled the myth that a member of the governing body need not be a director. For most approved providers, including companies and associations, the governing body will be the board of directors or committee of management, however described.

We have recently been asked by a number of providers whether they can appoint “associate directors”, advisory or non-voting directors to their governing body. The idea arises from broadly circulated comments from some advisors.

Read more:

Beware: associate, advisory or non-voting directors as members of an approved provider governing body

Sector news

• COVID-19: Vaccination update
• Report on the Operation of the Aged Care Act
• Grant Forecast: Aged care wages – historical leave liability
• Verification for specialised aged care services
• Webinar: Digital Transformation Tech Talk
• Evaluation of the National Aged Care Advocacy Program
• Webinar: Human Centricity in Aged Care

Residential care

• Developing staffing Quality Indicators
• COVID-19: Prevent and prepare

Workforce

• Aged care worker pay rise survey

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update: Issue 46