News about the reforms

Consultation: Draft of the new Aged Care Act

Our consultation on the draft of the new Aged Care Act is now open.  
 
The new Act will impact everyone connected to aged care, and it will put the rights and needs of older people at the centre of aged care. Have your say on the draft of the Act before it becomes law. 
 
If you’re an aged care provider, please encourage your care recipients and residents to provide their feedback. They can: 

• attend a face-to-face workshop in their local area 

• complete a survey online or by calling the consultation line on 1800 318 209 

• send us an email or letter.  

Before providing feedback, please read one or more of our online consultation resources.  

These resources meet accessibility requirements, or you can email us to order printed copies. 

Read more about the new Aged Care Act consultation.  

Public consultation closes 16 February 2024. 

Consultation: New staffing Quality Indicators now open

We’re developing 3 new staffing quality indicators for the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program), and we’d like to hear from you.

The new quality indicators in residential aged care will focus on:  

• enrolled nursing 

• allied health  

• lifestyle services. 

To have your say, you can: 

• Read the consultation paper and share your feedback by 5 March. 

• Register to take part in workshops hosted by HealthConsult by emailing QI@healthconsult.com.au. 

We’re also looking for providers to test the new staffing quality indicators in practice at aged care homes. We will carry out a pilot in March.

If you’d like to take part in the pilot you can:

• register to attend a pilot webinar hosted by HealthConsult

• submit an expression of interest online.

Sector news

Time to submit your Quarterly Financial Report

Providers can now complete their Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) for quarter 2-2023/24 (1 October to 31 December 2023) on the Government Provider Management System (GPMS).

Reporting is due on 14 February 2023.

People in an organisation who will need to use the QFR application in GPMS are called Financial Reporting users. Each GPMS administrator will need to set up access for their Financial Reporting users and check they can access the ‘Financial Reporting’ tile in GPMS.

More information is available on QFR and GPMS resources.

If you need help logging into GPMS call the My Aged Care Service Provider and Assessor Helpline on 1800 836 799.
 

Aged Care Wages: Historical Leave Liability Grant Opportunity closing soon

A reminder to eligible providers: the Aged Care Wages – Historical Leave Liability Grant Opportunity (GO6625) is closing 2 pm (AEDT) Wednesday 31 January 2024.

The grant will fund 50% of the cost of increased leave entitlements in the 2023-24 financial year attributable to the Fair Work Commission’s 15% wage increase.

For more information, refer to the Grant Opportunity Guidelines and provider factsheet.
  
If you have questions, please email Grant.ATM@health.gov.au and quote GO6625.
 

Refer an older person to receive visits from a volunteer

If you know an older person who may be feeling isolated or lonely, consider referring them to the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS).

Regular visits from an ACVVS volunteer can improve the quality of life of older people and help them feel less isolated. The program will match an older person with a volunteer based on the details provided at the time of referral.

Older people can be referred to the program by: 

• aged care service providers 

• family members 

• friends 

• themselves. 

Visits are available to anyone receiving government-subsidised aged care services in an aged care home or through a Home Care Package (HCP).

This includes care recipients approved or on the National Priority System and excludes those with a Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).

You can refer someone you think would benefit from a volunteer visitor. Complete an online request or download a referral form.
 

Free business and workforce advice for aged care providers

From 22 January 2024, eligible providers can apply for free, independent and confidential advice to improve their financial and business operations.

We have engaged the consulting and strategy firm EY to provide a Business and Workforce Advisory Service for aged care providers.

EY can advise residential aged care and home care providers on: 

• addressing issues around cash flow management, occupancy, direct care costs, budgeting, pricing, competition, strategy, reform impacts, governance and demand

• responding to workforce challenges including strategic workforce planning, workforce management, rostering, capability development, HR processes and leadership and culture.  

Providers operating in regional, rural and remote locations are encouraged to apply.

Visit the Aged Care Business and Workforce Advisory Service website to learn more about the program.

For enquiries, contact agedcareadvisory@au.ey.com.

Dates for Services Australia’s regular reviews of aged care fees

Services Australia runs regular reviews of residential and home care fees. The first review of 2024 was on Monday 22 January. 

Upcoming review dates (subject to change): 

• Tuesday 20 February 

• Wednesday 20 March 

• Monday 22 April 

• Wednesday 22 May 

• Thursday 20 June 

Services Australia Aged Care systems have read-only access from 3 pm on review dates until 8 am the following day. During these times providers can lodge service claims but not care recipient events in the Aged Care Provider Portal.

Services Australia will send letters to both people receiving care and providers advising any fee changes or refunds resulting from the reviews.

Find out more about Residential Care fee reviews and Home Care fee reviews on the Services Australia website.