Aged care news highlights from the fortnight ending 30 August 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

Five-star ratings are being awarded to aged care facilities that are non-compliant with government standards

According to ABC News, the government launched a star rating system for aged care facilities in 2022, enacting a recommendation of the aged care royal commission. Research into the government's star rating website found dozens of non-compliant homes are scoring 3, 4 and 5 stars, against the government's own guidelines.

‘A knife fight for staff’: Nurse shortage threatens aged care fix

According to The Age, there could be a shortage of 13,000 nurses in the aged care sector by 2030. The national nursing federation says the industry has to do more to attract and retain nurses.

Nurses may have to wait years for wage hike

According to Community Care Review, in a submission to the independent workplace tribunal regarding the ongoing nurses and midwives work value case, the federal government is calling for any wage increase over 3 per cent to be phased-in over a period of up to three years.

Aged Care Reforms Survey for Older People

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the second Aged Care Reforms Survey for Older People is now open for older people, their families and carers to give feedback about the aged care reforms. The survey closes on 18 October. Read more about the survey or the previous survey results on the Aged Care Engagement Hub.

Updated provider finance information now on My Aged Care

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, the finance information of residential and home care providers has been updated on the My Aged Care website’s Find a Provider tool.  

New infection prevention and control guide

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, a new Aged Care Infection Prevention and Control Guide has been released by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care.

Monthly Care Statements: New guidance and templates

According to the Department of Health and Aged Care, residential aged care providers can offer voluntary Monthly Care Statements from 1 October. This is an opportunity for providers to get ready for when Monthly Care Statements become mandatory. We’ve released new resources to help you prepare. We’re also hosting a webinar about Monthly Care Statements for providers on 29 August, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (AEST). Register now.

Aged Care Act ‘beyond urgent’

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, if not introduced to parliament soon, there are fears the legislation won’t meet its commencement date.

Funding crisis could worsen aged care bed shortfall

According to Hello Leaders, the current Aged Care Act impasse and ongoing financial crisis are expected to leave the aged care sector thousands of beds short over the next five years with providers and consumers both likely to shoulder the pain.

Dementia guidelines refresh underway

According to Community Care Review, Monash University has received more than $1 million of government funding to update the country’s clinical guidelines for dementia care.

Planning for the move to provider registration categories under the new Act

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the Department of Health and Aged Care (department) is preparing government-funded aged care providers for the new registration system expected to be introduced in the new Aged Care Act.

When the new Act is proclaimed, the department will automatically set up existing providers as registered providers in the new registration categories. Each provider’s category or categories will be based on the services they provide. There will be 6 registration categories.

To make sure providers are registered in the right categories, the department will contact them to review and confirm their details. Providers should expect to hear from the department from September onwards. You can find more information on the department's website including how the department is preparing providers for the new regulatory model.

Stolen Generations Redress Scheme for people in aged care

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme is an Australian Government program that provides support to survivors of the Stolen Generations. If you’re an aged care provider supporting Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people who may be eligible for redress, please share information with them about the scheme. Applications close on 28 February 2026. You can find more information on the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme website or by emailing help@territoriesredress.gov.au.

Public consultation summary report: strengthened Standards guidance resources

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has published our report on the outcomes of our public consultation on the draft guidance resources for the new strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.

24/7 registered nurse coverage tool

According to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, the Department of Health and Aged Care (department) has created a 24/7 registered nurse (RN) coverage tool. The tool helps residential aged care providers with their monthly 24/7 RN reporting. The 24/7 RN tool can be downloaded on the department’s website.

Major banks back For Purpose Aged Care

According to Australian Ageing Agenda, Australian impact investment manager For Purpose Investment Partners has secured the support of NAB, CBA and Bank Australia with a joint $260 million debt facility to support its not-for-profit aged care platform For Purpose Aged Care Australia.

Australia is running low on oral morphine. What does that mean for pain relief in palliative care?

According to Aged Care Insite, Australia currently finds itself in the unusual position of being both in an opioid epidemic and experiencing a shortage of these critical medicines.

85% of residents would recommend their aged care home to someone

According to Aged Care 101, the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care's Residents’ Experience Survey Report 2022 and 2023 is a testament to the country’s 846 operators, their boards and their workforce.

Home Care News

Boost for allied health in home care

According to Community Care Review, the number of allied health workers in home care rose dramatically between 2020 and 2023, a new report reveals.

Legislation

No significant developments this week.