News

A new independent statutory authority called the Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care has been established today. This new authority will help improve the aged care system so older people can get the care they need. It will do this by calling out problems and identifying areas for improvement, through reports to the Australian Parliament.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended that the Australian Government set up this office. The government did this through the Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023.

The Act gives the Inspector-General powers to:

• investigate systemic issues across the aged care system, including complaints management processes
• report on the Government’s implementation of the recommendations from the Royal Commission’s final report.

The Inspector-General will report findings and recommendations on systemic aged care issues to the Australian Government, parliament and public.

The government is currently going through a selection process to appoint the Inspector-General. Until this happens, Mr Ian Yates AM is the acting Inspector-General.

Read more:

New statutory agency to investigate systemic issues in aged care

Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care

Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023

On 1 October 2023, mandatory care minutes targets were introduced for residential aged care. Aged care providers must now deliver a sector average of 200 minutes of care per resident per day, including at least 40 minutes from a registered nurse.

Mandatory care minutes targets complement the requirement for aged care homes to have a registered nurse on-site, around the clock.

These new requirements mean that people living in aged care will have better access to personalised care to meet their individual care needs. Family members of aged care residents can have greater trust and confidence that their loved one is receiving the right level of care.

The majority of aged care homes are already meeting these new workforce responsibilities.

In August 2023, the sector reported that, on average, a registered nurse was on-site and on duty 98.08% of the time, 23.5 hours a day.

Read more:

Early signs of success with new aged care workforce responsibilities – Statement from Janet Anderson PSM, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner 11 October 2023 (.pdf)

In this edition:

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

Read more:

Aged Care Quality Bulletin #58 – October 2023

Updated Schedules

Updated Schedules for residential and home care will apply from 20 September 2023.

View the updated Schedule of fees and charges for care recipients who started care:

• on or after 1 July 2014
• before 1 July 2014

View the updated Schedule of subsidies and supplements.

Quarterly Review

Services Australia’s quarterly review of residential and home care fees will take effect from 20 September 2023, updating care recipients’ fees to align with any changes in their financial circumstances.

The quarterly review for residential and home care will take place on 23 September 2023. The online claiming system for home care and residential care will be unavailable from 6pm Friday 22 September to 8am Monday 25 September.

Read more:

Aged Care Alert: September 2023 indexation: updated schedules, quarterly review and change to maximum permissible interest rate

This report includes information, data and insights into how aged care providers performed in Quarter 4 (Q4) 2023. Q4 covers the period from 1 April to 30 June 2023.

The report uses information collected by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission through our work.

Most frequently cited requirements where non-compliance was found

1. 3a: Safe and effective personal and clinical care
2. 8d: Risk management systems and practices
3. 8c: Effective governance systems
4. 3b: High impact or high prevalence risks managed effectively
5. 7a: Number and mix of workforce
6. 2e: Regular reviews of care and services

Most common complaint issues

1. Medication administration and management
2. Personnel number/sufficiency
3. Personal and oral hygiene
4. Representative/family consultation
5. Falls prevention and post fall management

Read more:

Sector performance report – April – June 2023 (.pdf)

Sector news

• Aged care reporting due soon
• Webinar: Hiring mature aged workforce – investing in experience
• Free diversity program for aged care providers
• Webinar: Diversity of thought – a shared approach to leadership in aged care
• Webinar: End of life and palliative care – what you need to know

In-home care

• Updated Home Care Package pricing report now available
• Webinar: How to connect older people with smart technology

Residential care

• Care minutes targets are now mandatory
• 24/7 registered nurse reporting for September 2023 due now
• Webinar: Improving quality in residential aged care

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update: Issue 38

The Albanese Government continues to deliver on our commitment to improve care for people living in aged care homes.

From today, aged care homes must deliver a sector average of 200 care minutes per resident per day, including 40 minutes of registered nurse care.

This means older Australians in aged care homes have better access to personal and clinical care delivered by registered nurses, enrolled nurses, personal care workers and assistants in nursing.

This comes following the introduction of the 24/7 registered nursing responsibility on 1 July 2023, with a registered nurse now on-site and on duty 98.08% of the time across the aged care sector.

Minimum care time standards were recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which identified that staffing levels are vital to high-quality aged care.

Read more:

Mandatory care minutes boost care levels for older people in Australia

The Aged Care Royal Commission (ACRC) found significant failures in approved providers’ governance systems, including a lack of oversight from the governing body and as a result a suite of new requirements have been rolled out targeting these issues. The legislative reforms are aimed at improving transparency and accountability as well as ensuring that approved providers focus on the best interests of their care recipients.

A major part of the reforms is the Governing Body Statement of Compliance and increased reporting of provider operations. These reforms directly relate to the ACRC’s recommendations to ensure annual reporting that will increase scrutiny. One of these new obligations is the requirement to provide a Statement of Compliance on behalf of the governing body. This statement is due no later than four months after the reporting period (i.e. 31 October 2023).

Read more:

Prepare for Aged Care Governance Reform: “Statement of Compliance” ahead

In this edition:

• Commissioner’s message
• The referendum and access to residential services
• Our reports
• Aged care reforms update
• Food, nutrition and dining
• Webinars
• Governing for reform
• Training and resources

Read more:

Aged Care Quality Bulletin #57 – September 2023

News about the reforms

• Webinar: Quarterly Financial Reporting – what’s changed
• Changes to governing body membership requirements

Sector news

• New apps for clinicians and carers supporting people with dementia
• National Dementia Data Improvement Plan and Updated Dementia in Australia report now available
• In-home care
• Make your website, social media, emails and documents accessible to all

Residential care

• Reminder: Quality Indicator reporting opens soon
• COVID-19: Aged Care Support Program Extension grant
• It’s time to get prepared for high-risk weather
• Webinar: Update – Aged Care COVID-19 outbreak management supports
• Reminder: Supporting older people to vote

Read more:

Your Aged Care Update: Issue 37, 26 September 2023