News

The Department invites providers, consumers, sector representatives and other key stakeholders working in the aged care sector to complete an online survey about the Aged Care Quality Standards.

In addition, you can nominate to participate in an online focus group on the Quality Standards.

KPMG is conducting the survey and focus groups on behalf of the department to obtain feedback on the current Quality Standards, including the impact of the standards on consumers, providers and other key stakeholders.

The survey forms part of a broader evaluation of the Quality Standards.

How to participate:

The survey is open until midnight (AEST) on 3 September 2021 and only takes 15 minutes to complete.

Read more:

Survey: evaluation of the Aged Care Quality Standards

Evaluation of the Aged Care Quality Standards – Registration for focus groups

KPMG – Survey of the Aged Care Quality Standards

Please note the below advice provided by the Victorian Department of Health to support COVID-19 vaccination of residential aged care workers.

Currently there are priority bookings available across metropolitan and regional Victoria at both federal and state vaccination centres.

Individual Booking Options

All workers and residents in the residential aged care sector are eligible to receive the Pfizer vaccine (irrespective of age) and are able to access a priority booking to receive vaccination. Currently there are priority bookings available across metropolitan and regional Victoria at both federal and state vaccination centres.

Group Bookings

Registrations are now open for group bookings at Victorian vaccination centres. Residential aged care workers will be prioritised for group bookings. This provides a pathway for aged care workers to access vaccination as a group at one of the state vaccination centres.

Read more:

Vaccination for residents and workers in Victorian residential aged care facilities

Registration of Interest – Victorian COVID-19 Vaccine Group Bookings

Thank you to the large number of providers who have already responded to our survey on the sector’s current status and readiness for the new support at home program. Responses to date suggest providers are generally very positive about the reforms.

To ensure we continue to hear a broad range of provider perspectives, the survey end date has been extended to Friday 20 August 2021. Your input is valued and will help to inform program design and a strategy for change management and support.

Many providers have expressed interest in hearing the outcomes of this consultation process. If sufficient responses are received, the department will host a webinar for providers about the survey’s findings – so please take some time to complete the survey to ensure we have a robust picture to share.

Read more:

Home Care Reform: national provider survey

Survey of Aged Care Providers – July 2021 (.pdf)

In this edition:

• Single site funding support for COVID-19 impacted areas
• ACT Restrictions
• NSW Health – Updated advice
• QLD restrictions update and PPE use
• WA Health – Residential Aged Care Worker Vaccination webinar
• Support in the event of an outbreak
• Mental health supports
• Community Visitors Scheme

Read more:

Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update – 13 August 2021

In this edition:

• Single site workforce arrangements and funding support has been activated in the following areas in New South Wales
• Far North QLD restrictions

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Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update – 12 August 2021

The Australian Government is closely monitoring the situation across the country, particularly in New South Wales, Victoria, Queensland and the Australian Capital Territory.

Following the hotspot declaration in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT) by the Australian Government Chief Medical Officer, Professor Paul Kelly, workers at residential aged care facilities in the ACT are asked to limit their work to a single facility to reduce the risk of transmission and protect workers and residents.

Australian Government grant funding is now available to support implementation of these arrangements in the above area for an initial two-week period from 12 August to 26 August 2021.

Read more:

Single site funding support for COVID-19 impacted areas in the Australian Capital Territory

Declaration of the Australian Capital Territory as a Hotspot for Commonwealth Support

In this edition:

• Lessons from recent outbreaks in RACFs – what you can do now that will help
• NSW Health update
• Victoria – Update on restrictions
• WA – Directions for RACFs
• SA Health updated directions
• Reminder – Survey to evaluate the Aged Care COVID-19 Grief and Trauma supports

Read more:

Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update – 11 August 2021

Australia’s personal care workforce is being strengthened and increased under a $91.8 million Morrison Government initiative helping older people live at home for longer.

In another comprehensive response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Home Care Workforce Support Program will help administrators attract, train and retain approximately 13,000 new personal care workers by mid-2023.

Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt, said the program would rapidly increase the number and skills of people providing aged care in the home.

“The grants will support the employment of 6000 new personal care workers in 2021-22 and 7000 more in the following year, including an increase in Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander personal care workers,” Minister Hunt said.

“They will ensure new and existing personal care workers have the skills and support required to provide quality aged care services to all seniors who need them.”

It will also improve links with the training and recruitment, helping the broader aged care sector, including residential care, boost its work pool.

Read more:

Expansion of home care workforce underway

Current Grant Opportunity View – GO4990

In this edition:

• NSW Home Care Update
• QLD residential Aged Care update: Movement of healthcare, aged care, and disability workers
• Single site funding support for COVID-19 impacted areas in QLD
• 2021 Census – Residential Aged Care Facilities
• DVA clients and emergency leave during COVID-19
• ACT Health

Read more:

Protecting Older Australians: COVID-19 Update – 10 August 2021

The Morrison Government today recognises the extraordinary contribution of aged care employees across Australia.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said August 7 marked Aged Care Employee Day – an important opportunity to say thanks to more than 360,000 workers across the sector.

“Our aged care employees at every level work tirelessly to ensure the safety and quality of care of senior and vulnerable Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.

“These are people who never discriminate and always put the care and wellbeing of others at the forefront.

“It is the kind of dedication that deserves recognition.

“To all those employees we say thank you for providing the respect, care and dignity senior Australians deserve”.

Read more:

Acknowledging Australia’s aged care employees