Sector news

Variations open: Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment grant program

Variations for round 2 of the Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment grant program (GO6557) are now open.

Providers have the option to request a variation if:

• they have received a funding agreement

• Registered Nurses have either missed out on receiving the payment or have been underpaid due to errors in the original application.

To request a variation, email acrnpayment@health.gov.au by 30 August. We will consider all variation requests that come in by this date.

Please note that assessment and payment of requested variations are subject to funding availability.

Learn more about the Aged Care Registered Nurses’ Payment program on our website.
 

Webinar: Digital Transformation Tech Talk

You are invited to join a webinar for an update on our digital transformation work for the aged care sector.
 
When: Tuesday 27 August, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm (AEST)

In this Digital Transformation Tech Talk webinar we'll share our regular briefing on all things digital transformation. This includes a program update and a preview of our upcoming October major release. You'll also learn about the new Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) for assessing eligibility for Australian Government subsidised aged care.

You can ask questions in the open Q&A.

Register now.

We run regular Tech Talk webinars for the aged care sector and IT professionals on our digital transformation work. Watch past Tech Talk webinars.
 

Have your say: Costs of delivering residential aged care

The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) has started its annual cost data cycle, the Residential Aged Care Cost Collection. This is to better understand resources and costs needed to deliver residential aged care services.

Data will inform pricing advice to the Australian Government. To make sure the advice represents the sector, we encourage all residential aged care providers to get involved.

In particular, we are seeking participation from providers in regional and remote areas, and government-operated facilities. 

Data will be collected until December.

Express your interest to participate.
 

Expressions of interest: Pilot study to improve end of life decision-making

The End of Life Law for Clinicians training program is seeking expressions of interest from aged care providers who deliver residential aged care and/or home care services for a pilot study.

The aim of the study is to develop the confidence, skills and knowledge for the aged care workforce about law on end of life decision-making.

Participants will complete online training modules, surveys and interviews.

Expressions of interest close 13 September.

Read more about the pilot study and how to apply.

Workforce

Guidance handbook for Volunteer Managers in aged care

A guidance handbook is available to help aged care Volunteer Managers access training and information to manage volunteers.

The handbook covers a range of topics, including:

• recruitment

• onboarding

• retention

• administration.

The handbook can also help aged care providers support their Volunteer Managers.

Access the guidance handbook on our website.

LGBTIQ+ inclusive palliative care training

This free course is for people working in aged care who are involved in caring for people nearing the end of their life.

Learn to provide respectful and inclusive palliative care, with a focus on LGBTIQ+ people.

The online course has four one-hour modules:

• introduction to LGBTIQ+ communities

• barriers to providing and receiving palliative care

• enablers for LGBTIQ+ people in palliative care

• having inclusive end of life planning conversations.

Access LGBTIQ+ palliative care eLearning to increase your confidence in providing inclusive care.

Working with a diverse workforce

The Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care NSW/ACT) has a free resource for providers: ‘A Guide to Supporting Inclusive Workplaces in Aged Care’.

The guide offers practical information to ensure your workplace is safe, inclusive and free from racism and discrimination. It explains how to create a welcoming work environment where all employees feel valued and respected, which improves job satisfaction, staff retention and quality of care for older people.

Making your services culturally inclusive is a requirement of the Aged Care Quality Standards.