Residential Care
Quality and Safety Reforms
and Beyond

Reforms

Residential Care Quality and Safety Reforms

Summary of Quality and Safety Reforms

Reform activities will strengthen the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission to further protect senior Australians.

The Australian Government will invest $231.9 million to:

  • enable the Commission to do 1,500 more site audits
  • enforce regulation of physical and chemical restraint use
  • expand the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) into home care
  • increase funding for the Dementia Behaviour Management Advisory Service and the Severe Behaviour Response Teams
  • give specialist dementia training to aged care providers

A new star rating system will highlight the quality of aged care services providing informed decision-making for senior Australians, their families, friends and carers.

Investment in independent advocacy will support greater choice and quality safeguards, funding will also assist providers to understand the diversity of the community and barriers to accessing aged care.

The government will improve primary care support between aged care and health care systems with $365.7 million to:

  • boost the Aged Care Access Incentive and increase GP face-to-face care
  • expand the Greater Choice for At Home Palliative Care Pilot
  • better support Primary Health Networks (PHNs) telehealth services and help health practitioners to care for vulnerable patients
  • produce better data and evidence for workforce planning
  • improve medication management in residential care

Residential Care Quality and Safety Reforms Timetable

  • Immediate improvement to the quality of care in dementia, diversity, food and nutrition services
  • Stronger clinical care services developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care
  • Up to 120,000 additional GP services through the boosted Aged Care Access Initiative
  • Increased dementia care capability delivers better outcomes for people living with dementia
  • Palliative care services expanded to support end-of-life care at home

  • Residents access improved care through Primary Health Networks facilitating telehealth and out-of-hours triage services
  • Expansion of the Serious Incident Response Scheme gives 1 Million Senior Australians receiving home and community care greater protection
  • Stronger presence of Aged Care Quality and Safeth Commission in facilities with and extra 1,500 on-site audits
  • Providers to report regularly to residents and families on care and commencement of Star Rating System

  • Improved support and training in dementia care and minimising restraint (restrictive practices)

  • National Aged Care Data Strategy improves the information that is available to senior Australians about the quality in aged care
  • New independent regulatory authority established following review of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

  • Senior Australians receive high quality compassionate care
  • Confidence in Aged Care is rebuilt by the Commonwealth and aged care providers, and regained by the Australian community

Residential Care Guide

Eligibility and Assessment
NEW Aged Care Homes
Residential Care FINANCIALS

Centrelink Form SA457 Explained
Centrelink Form SA485 Explained
Residential Care Agreement Paperwork
Age Pension Current Rates

Home Care Guide

Eligibility and Assessment
Home Care Fee Categories
Current Home Care Fees and Charges
Centrelink Form SA456 Explained

Urgent Aged Care Placement

Do you need to arrange an immediate aged care placement?
Arrange the Placement Now

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

Source: Anika Wells - Star Ratings working to Improve Aged Care


Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety

Summary of Recommendations and Download the Complete Report