Your Aged Care Update # 04/24
Notable dates
Single Assessment System tender online information session
8 February
Webinar: Consultation on expanding the Quality Indicator program
26 & 27 February
News about the reforms
New Aged Care Act consultation – virtual workshops
Our public consultation on the draft for the new Aged Care Act is still open. We invite you to have your say on the draft Act before it becomes law.
We are running in-person consultation workshops until 14 February. You can still register to attend one of the remaining events.
We’re also holding virtual workshops in February. These workshops are now open for registrations.
Register to attend one of these events on upcoming consultation workshops.
If you’d like to have your say another way, you can:
complete a survey online or call our consultation line on 1800 318 209
send us an email or letter.
Sector news
Quarterly Financial Report for Quarter 2 (2023-24) is due soon
Providers must submit their Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) for quarter 2 2023-24
(1 October to 31 December) by 14 February 2024.
Reporting can now be completed through the Government Provider Management System (GPMS).
People in an organisation who 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 the 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.
COVID-19: Grants closing dates
COVID-19 grants are closing, applications submitted after these dates will not be accepted.
Closing dates:
Aged care worker COVID-19 leave payment grant on 16 February 2024
2023 COVID-19 Aged Care Support Program Grant on 3 April 2024.
From 1 February to 31 December 2024, the new Aged Care Outbreak Management Supplement will be available to eligible aged care providers, replacing the current
COVID-19 grants process.
Read more about support for providers and workers.
Influenza vaccination reporting due
Aged care providers must report influenza vaccinations provided in 2023 for:
staff working in home care services
staff and residents in residential aged care, Multi-Purpose Services, Short-Term Restorative Care and Transition Care Program services delivered in residential aged care settings.
This reporting is a legal requirement under the Aged Care Act 1997 Accountability Principles.
Use the online influenza vaccination reporting form to report by 29 February 2024.
Integrated Assessment Tool trial results available
From April to July 2023, we ran a trial of the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT), which will be used in the Single Assessment System from July 2024.
Over 900 assessors took part in the trial, completing more than 22,000 assessments with older people entering aged care. This included First Nations, culturally and linguistically diverse, rural and remote and in-hospital assessments.
The data we collected and assessor feedback from the trial have been put into the IAT’s design to improve usability for assessors.
Read the Integrated Assessment Tool live trial – Final Report 2023.
Support and resources for rural and remote providers
A new web page is available to support aged care providers in rural and remote areas.
Providers can go to delivering aged care in rural and remote settings to find a collection of information and resources. This includes supports available to improve viability and infrastructure, and resources to help providers attract train and maintain their workforce.
We understand that accessing and providing aged care in rural and remote communities presents unique challenges. You can now access relevant information in one place.
Find out what support and resources are available.
Updated Aged Care Schedule of Subsidies and Supplements
The Aged Care Schedule of Subsidies and Supplements has been updated. It includes the new Aged Care Outbreak Management Support Supplement, which is effective from 1 February 2024, as advised in last week’s update.
The schedule lists the daily rates of subsidies and supplements for government-subsidised aged care. It includes rates for home care, residential aged care, transition care and short-term restorative care (STRC).
Access the new Schedule of Subsidies and Supplements.
Residential care
Grant update: Electronic National Residential Medication Chart Adoption
Applications are open for Round 2 of the electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) Adoption grant.
This grant supports residential aged care services in the implementation of eNRMC systems with funding of up to $20,000 for each eligible service.
Due to overwhelming interest, additional funding is now available under Round 2 in place of a separate Round 3, which has now been cancelled. This will support more providers to access funding in the current round and implement eNRMC systems sooner.
Round 2 is scheduled to close on 28 March 2024 or earlier if all funding is expended.
Providers can apply via GrantConnect. For enquiries, contact eNRMC@health.gov.au.
2024 Residents’ Experience Survey underway
The 2024 Residents’ Experience Survey (RES) has begun and will run through to October 2024.
We have appointed HealthConsult and Access Care Network Australia to deliver the survey on our behalf. They have started contacting residential aged care homes to schedule a suitable survey date.
New resources are available for providers to view and download from Residents’ Experience Survey, including a guide for providers. The resources will help workers and residents to understand the purpose of the survey, answer some common questions and outline what to expect on the day.
For assistance or to schedule the survey, contact the survey team at RES@acna.org.au.
In-home care
Support at Home Q&A session for providers
We are hosting an online Questions and Answers (Q&A) session for providers on the new Support at Home program.
When: Thursday 22 February, 1.00 pm to 2.30 pm (AEDT).
This session is an opportunity for you to ask questions about the new Support at Home program. You can submit questions before or during the session.
Register now.
Find out more about the new Support at Home program.
Workforce
Webinar: Effective job ads to find great staff
The Department of Employment and Workplace Relations will be hosting a webinar on Effective Job Ads: Finding Great Staff.
When: Wednesday 14 February, 1:00pm (AEDT)
Hear from industry experts and guest speakers as they share ideas for creating job advertisements that motivate individuals with the right skills and experience to apply.
You’ll also receive information about tools you can use to write that perfect job advertisement.
Register now.