Reform

From 1 November, new rules under the Aged Care Act 2024 will hold providers accountable for the quality and safety of services delivered by third parties. Providers must show they can oversee complaints, feedback and workforce compliance across all associated providers, including contractors and franchisees.

Australia’s aged care system isn’t short of warnings; it’s short of beds. Years of policy drift on the national provision ratio have left the sector roughly 30,000 residential places below planning benchmarks, with hospitals now bearing the overflow.

With the new Aged Care Act and Strengthened Quality Standards set to take effect on 1 November, a national poll reveals only 3% of providers feel fully prepared. Governance, financial strain and workforce burnout top the list of concerns as confidence in government readiness remains low.

With aged care leaders leaving posts after shorter tenures, does the sector have to ask if longevity must be purposely pursued?

In an age of email noise, cutting through the fluff is a critical edge that providers must adopt. RFBI’s Anna-Maria Wade leverages her insight to avoid email openers that damage trust.

Statisticians point to a rapidly changing Australia. Inter-generational solutions may hold the key in readiness, to meet the hugely different care needs of the decades ahead.

OPAN launches two stems of e-resources for residents and providers ahead of new Act. Advocates maintain that building and reforming the Act must still continue.

Seniors on the national priority system waitlist, approved for but not receiving a home care package, has ballooned by 26% in three months.

Alex Lynch of peak body, CHA, reminds government that “implementation will not be perfect on 1 November”. Care excellence must always come first, “providers need the flexibility to focus on caring for older Australians”.

Victorian aged care facility floored by $1.7 million gift to help modernise dementia wing.