Aged Care Reforms

Reforms

Aged Care Reforms - 2024 and Beyond

The 5 Pillars of Aged Care Reform

As a result of the recent Royal Commission into Aged Care, the Commonwealth has undertaken plans to dramatically reform the aged care sector.

The government’s aged care reform plan is focused around 5 pillars:

Aged Care Reform Timetable

The Australian Government will apply these initiatives over 5 years:

  • 40,000 more home care packages released
  • 325 Services Australia centres to provide assistance and information about aged care services
  • Aged care specialists in 70 Service Australia centres
  • Extra support for informal carers
  • Supplement of $10 per resident per day
  • Homeless and viability supplements continued increase
  • New monitoring, compliance and intervention to help providers build financial sustainability, capability and resilience
  • Improvements to dementia, diversity, food and nutrition services
  • Stronger clinical care standards
  • Up to 120,000 more GP in-reach services for aged care residents
  • Increase dementia care capability and training
  • Palliative care services expanded
  • Up to 6,000 new personal care workers
  • Surge workforce increase in regional and rural locations
  • Initial rollout of expanded regional network
  • Establish a Council of Elders and National Aged Care Advisory Council

  • Another 40,000 home care packages released
  • 8,400 more respite services available
  • Single assessment workforce introduced
  • Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding model begun
  • Average care minutes increased to 200 minutes per day, including 40 minutes of registered nurse time and 16 hours per day on site
  • Structural Adjustment Program to increase provider viability
  • Better reporting for comparison between services (star rating)
  • Primary Health Network (PHN)-led telehealth and out-of-hours services
  • Expanded Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)
  • 1,500 more Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission site audits
  • Up to 7,000 new personal care workers
  • 33,800 additional training places rolled out
  • Registered nurse incentive and financial support schemes

  • 500 Community Care Finders to give specialised support for accessing aged care services
  • New support at home program
  • Mandatory minimum care times
  • Review of Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
  • New Independent Hospital and Aged Care Pricing Authority
  • New Aged Care Act

  • Improved service sustainability that ensures Senior Australian’s care needs are met
  • Improved aged care workforce staff levels, skill mix and training
  • Strong and effective governance of aged care in place

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Aged Care Star Rating System


Where can I find the Star Ratings?

From , the Government has started to use the STAR RATING system for registered aged care homes (new homes will be allocated a Star Rating after 12 months of operation).

Star Ratings are displayed on the Aged Care Provider Search within the My Aged Care website.

The Star Rating is based upon 5 levels with the middle rating denoting only a minimum baseline of ‘Acceptable’ care quality and services.


Continuous Improvement

The Star Rating System has revealed that 41 % of aged care homes are performing at a 5-star (excellent) or 4-star (good) level.

Star Ratings also reveal that astonishingly 5 % are performing below the minimum standards set, receiving a dismal and disturbing (Improvement Needed) or (Significant Improvement Needed) Star Rating.


Star Rating Support

We support full public disclosure of those aged care homes that are making the effort to exceed the regulated standards and community expectations.

We also support the naming of aged care homes that do not currently provide quality levels of aged care services to the frail elderly and vulnerable members of our community.

The Star Rating system is a key component of the aim for continuous improvement to our aged care system.


Total Homes in each Star Rating level



Excellent
54 homes
2.16 %



Good
964 homes
38.56 %



Acceptable
1357 homes
54.28 %



Improvement Needed
119 homes
4.76 %



Major Improvement
6 homes
0.24 %


TOTAL Homes

2500

Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

Summary of Recommendations and Download the Complete Report