Media Release: 17 March 2018

From today, unannounced quality and safety audits will come into force across all Australian residential aged care homes, as the Turnbull Government builds on its aged care reforms.

The Aged Care Minister, Ken Wyatt AM, said enactment of the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency Legislation Amendment (Unannounced Reaccreditation Audits) Principles 2018 means homes will no longer be given notice of the date of their re-accreditation audit.

“Our commitment to safe, high-quality care is non-negotiable and I am sure is shared by all Australians,” said Minister Wyatt.

“These changes will strengthen the oversight of aged care services to provide greater assurance that standards of care are consistently maintained, not just at re-accreditation times”.

“While the vast majority of Aged Care homes provide excellent service all year, this reform is designed to give residents and their families’ greater confidence in care delivery.”

Minister Wyatt signalled the Government’s intention to introduce unannounced re-accreditation audits by the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency when he released the Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes last October. This enhancement to the audit system was a key recommendation.

Read more:

Taking action: Strengthening aged care homes quality compliance

More information on unannounced re-accreditation audits can be found on the Department of Health website at https://agedcare.health.gov.au/ensuring-quality

Information can also be found at the Quality Agency website https://www.aacqa.gov.au/providers/news-and-resources/moving-to-unannounced-audits

The Quality Agency publishes accreditation and compliance decisions and resident feedback results on its website www.aacqa.gov.au

The report on the Review of National Aged Care Quality Regulatory Processes can be found at https://agedcare.health.gov.au/quality/review-of-national-aged-care-quality-regulatory-processes-report