Aged care news highlights from the fortnight ending 25 October 2024, aggregated by Ideagen.
The information in the ACE Wrap is aggregated from other news sources to provide you with news that is relevant to the aged care sector across Australia and worldwide. Each paragraph is a summary of the subject matter covered in the particular news article. The information does not necessarily reflect the views of Ideagen.
Residential Care and General Aged Care News
Aged Care Legislation Amendment Bill 2024
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, on 10 October, the government introduced the Aged Care Legislation Amendment Bill 2024. This Bill will amend the Aged Care Act 1997. This will improve integrity, choice and fairness ahead of the New Aged Care Act commencing on 1 July 2025. The Bill includes changes to:
- residential care data assurance reviews
- income and asset determinations and refundable deposit balances
- accommodation payments after voluntary moves within a service.
Similar measures are also included in the New Act for when it commences. The amendment Bill ensures that these changes occur as soon as possible. We will update you about these changes soon to ensure the sector is well prepared.
Public consultation on Aged Care Rules continues
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, public consultation on the draft Rules for the new Aged Care Act continues, with an overview of the future ways of funding aged care services now available. The overview covers the Rules for Chapter 4 of the Aged Care Bill 2024, and includes a range of topics including subsidies, contributions, means testing, accommodation and grants. The full Rules will be available shortly, at which point you will be able to provide feedback. Read more about the public consultation on the Aged Care Rules on our website.
Finalising the Act
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the Senate inquiry into the Aged Care Bill 2024 reveals broad support for reform but diverging opinions on specific provisions. Stakeholders advocate for transparency and sector-wide improvement as public hearings near completion.
Clouded with uncertainty: Providers show mixed confidence levels over aged care reform
According to Hello Leaders, aged care providers express mixed confidence about reforms, with 70% concerned about the sector’s readiness and 51% feeling it’s on the right track. Key challenges include staffing, funding, and tight reform timelines, which are raising concerns for smaller providers in particular.
Govt appoints Inspector-General of Aged Care
According to Australian Ageing Agenda, the government has announced bureaucrat Natalie Siegel-Brown as the incoming Inspector-General of Aged Care.
3 new staffing quality indicators
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, from 1 April 2025, residential providers will be required to collect data on 3 new staffing quality indicators:
- enrolled nursing
- allied health
- lifestyle officers.
The expansion from 11 to 14 quality indicators recognises the crucial role of staff in providing high-quality care. You can collect staffing data from 1 April 2025 (Quarter 4, 2024–25). You will need to report Quarter 4 2024–25 staffing data through the Government Provider Management System (GPMS) by 21 July 2025. Data for these indicators builds on existing reporting where possible. 4 of the 5 new data points that make up the 3 new indicators will come from the Quarterly Financial Report. This means no additional reporting burden for that data. We will publish more information to help you prepare for this change soon. Read more about the QI Program.
Aged Care Minister urges providers to “Hold up your end of the bargain”
According to Hello Leaders, Aged Care Minister Anika Wells announced a $17.5 billion investment to strengthen the sector. She urged aged care providers to deliver on promised care improvements, warning that delays in passing the new Aged Care Act could stall progress.
New regulatory model nominated contacts
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, as we begin preparing to transition to the new regulatory model, we will contact Government-funded providers to confirm a nominated contact. A nominated contact is a person who can make decisions on behalf of the organisation, such as senior management, the CEO or Board Chair.
We will contact you from either:
Please complete the short survey and include the name, position, email and phone number of the nominated contact for your organisation. If you have any questions, please email AgedCareRegModel@health.gov.au. Find out more about the regulatory model.
Aged Care Financial Reports due soon
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, aged care providers need to complete their Aged Care Financial Report by 31 October. What you report on depends on the type of service/s you provide. Read more about your reporting requirements. If you need help with your submission, contact Forms Administration on (02) 4403 0640 or email Health@FormsAdministration.com.au.
Sector Performance Report
According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) has published the latest Sector Performance Report for Quarter 4 (April to June). ACQSC has changed how they present data by size and type of provider. The report also shows a more detailed picture of compliance and areas of concern. Read the Sector Performance Report.
Ageing population and govt reform drive demand for dementia respite care
According to Aged Care Insite, the rise in dementia cases and government reform are driving increased demand for dementia-specific respite care, which is expected to expand significantly in the coming years. The DREAM project is helping prepare the workforce for this challenge.
Australia's rental crisis is pushing aged care workers out of their own communities
According to Aged Care Guide, aged care workers are struggling with rental stress as fewer than 1.5% of rental properties in Australia are affordable for them. Rising housing costs have made it difficult for many essential workers, including those in aged care, to live near their workplaces, exacerbating staff shortages. This is particularly concerning for an already strained sector, with nearly one-third of aged care workers considering leaving the industry by 2026.
Both paid and unpaid carers sacrifice their own wellbeing, data shows
According to Aged Care Insite, a national survey reveals significant mental, physical, and financial challenges for both paid and unpaid carers. Many report burnout, social isolation, and lack of recognition, highlighting the need for greater support.
Aged care innovation boosted with $13m in funding
According to Aged Care Insite, the government allocated $13 million to ARIIA to enhance innovation and technology in aged care. This funding will support evidence-based practices, improve workforce skills, and foster new technological solutions for aged care facilities.
Home Care News
No significant developments this week.
Legislation
Aged Care Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 [CTH] – introduced 10 October 2024
The purpose of the Aged Care Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 (the Bill) is to enable the Secretary to conduct residential care data assurance reviews with respect to specified residential care data, to mitigate the risk of future breaches of section 83 of the Constitution and better provide for voluntary moves within a residential aged care service. These proposed amendments aim to assure the completeness, accuracy and reliability of specified residential aged care data and ensure the financial information of care recipients that is relied on by the Commonwealth when making aged care subsidy payments are up to date and able to be updated efficiently.
Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 [CTH] – referred to Federation Chamber for further consideration 9 October 2024
The Privacy and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2024 (the Bill) seeks to enact a first tranche of reforms to the Privacy Act 1988 (the Privacy Act) to implement a number of the legislative proposals that were agreed by the Government in its September 2023 Response to the Privacy Act Review. The Privacy Act Review Report, released in February 2023, concluded that comprehensive reform is required to ensure the Privacy Act is fit for purpose and capable of addressing the heightened data risks of the digital age.
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