CHSP Provider Community of Practice Hub

The Department of Health and Aged Care have released the Aged Care Wages - Stage 3 Historical Leave Liability - Tranche 1 Grant

• Grant details are available here
• GO7428
• Closes 6 March 2025

This grant opportunity provides $21.326 million in 2025 - 26 to fund wage increases effective from 1 January 2025. The purpose of this grant opportunity is to provide one-off funding to eligible providers to pay eligible aged care workers to take their leave entitlements at the higher rates of pay for Tranche 1 increases only that begin to take effect from 1 January 2025.

• Residential Aged Care providers for 25 per cent of the eligible increase to leave entitlements associated with paying the higher cost of leave entitlements for aged care workers whose wages have increased as a result of the FWC’s decision.
• 50 per cent of the eligible increase to leave entitlements associated with paying the higher cost of leave entitlements for aged care workers whose wages have increased as a result of the FWC’s Stage 3 decision for the following providers delivering the
  • Home Care Packages Program,
  • CHSP,
  • Transition Care Program,
  • Short Term Restorative Care Program, and
  • National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program

Applications can only be accepted from Aged care service providers that have increased aged care worker wages as a result of the FWC’s Stage 3 decision, and:

• are an approved aged care provider of one or more of the programs listed below:
  • Residential aged care; and / or
  • Home Care Package Program; and / or
  • CHSP; and / or
  • Transition Care Program; and / or
  • Short-Term Restorative Programme; and / or
  • National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program.

• have in scope aged care workers whose wages have been increased as a result of the FWC Stage 3 decision and are employed under the following awards (or under an Agreement that is underpinned by these awards):
  • Aged Care Award 2010
    • Direct care aged care employees include assistants in nursing/nursing assistants, personal care workers, recreational or lifestyle activities officers; and
    • General and administrative services employees include administration staff, drivers, maintenance staff, gardeners, laundry hands, cleaners, and food services assistants
  • Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHADS) Award 2010 (Schedule F)
    • Home care employees whose primary role is to provide home care to aged care clients.

Please note: If you employ workers through the Indigenous Employment Initiative and those workers have eligible accumulated leave liabilities as of 31 December 2024, include those workers in your claim

Grant Activity Timeframe:

Potential grantees are advised that an election for the House of Representatives may be called before this grant process has been concluded. If an election is called and the House of Representatives is dissolved, then caretaker arrangements will apply to the business of Government. By convention, decisions are not taken during this period that would bind an incoming Government and limit its freedom of action. Consequently, potential grantees need to be aware that any grant processes which have not been concluded before the caretaker period, or which commence during the caretaker period, may experience delays in finalisation and could potentially be revised or cancelled.

The Department of Health and Aged Care have released the Support At Home and new Aged Care Act Transition Support 2024-2025 Grant Opportunity.

• GO7421
• Information Technology Systems
• Closes 25 February 2025
• See grant details here

As part of the Australian Government’s reform of the aged care system, the Support at Home (SaH) program will replace the Home Care Packages Program (HCP) from 1 July 2025. HCP providers will require changes to their IT systems to meet new obligations for claiming payments for services delivered and reporting under the SaH program and the Aged Care Act 2024.

To align the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) with the new Aged Care Act 2024, changes to CHSP reporting requirements will be implemented from 1 July 2025 to reflect new legislative requirements ahead of the CHSP transitioning into the SaH program no earlier than 1 July 2027. CHSP providers will require changes to their IT systems to meet their new CHSP reporting obligations.

This grant opportunity will be open to HCP and CHSP providers, providing one-off funding of $10,000 in the 2024-25 financial year towards the cost of IT system upgrades to meet the obligations under SaH, the CHSP and the Aged Care Act 2024.

Applications can only be accepted from the below aged care provider types:

• existing approved providers of HCP (must provide your current aged care Approved Provider ID, which you may also know as your NAPS ID or GMPS ID).
• existing CHSP providers who have an executed grant agreement with the Commonwealth, as represented by the Department of Health and Aged Care, to deliver CHSP services that is due to expire on 30 June 2025 (must provide your current CHSP funding agreement ID).

What the grant money can be used for

Eligible grant activities

To be eligible, you must use the grant funding to update your IT systems to meet the new arrangements under the Support At Home Program, new Aged Care Act and / or the CHSP from 1 July 2025.

This includes:

• paying a vendor to make the required IT system changes, or
• payment of wages to internal IT staff for their time to make the changes, and / or
• payment of wages to internal staff for training related to the IT system changes.

The Department of Health and Aged Care updated the CHSP 2025-2027 Extension Fact Sheet in December 2024.

The Fact Sheet includes information on:

• The new grant agreement
• Aged care reforms
• Changes to CHSP
• New service list
• Changes to DEX reporting
• Changes to Specialised Support Services (SSS)
• Changes to Sector Support and Development (SSD)
• Loading for remote and very remote areas
• Registration categories
• Registration of clients
• Changes to flexibility provisions
• Additional grants and rollover funds
• Funding amounts and indexation
• Unit pricing
• Client contributions
• CHSP compliance activity
• Provider relinquishments and transition timing
• New CHSP Manual

It is important that CHSP Providers stay up to date with the reforms and changes.

Please read the fact sheet here.

Fellow Sector Support and Development Providers have released resources to assist with reform planning.

Aged Care ACT Readiness Checklist

• Aged Care Act Readiness Checklist

• Register for the upcoming webinar here - 22 February 2025

• Developed by fellow Sector Support and Development Providers - Ethnic Communities Council of NSW, Inner West Sydney Sector Support and Sector Support, Development & Training NSW Central Coast

• This checklist is designed to help CHSP and home care providers to review their preparedness for the Bill for a new Aged Care Act. The checklist has been prepared by Paul Sadler Consultancy, funded by the Central Coast and Inner West Sydney Sector Support & Development Projects. It has been reviewed by Russell Kennedy Lawyers.

• The checklist is intended to be used as a self-reflection tool for CHSP providers. It helps organisations to consider of all aspects of compliance with the Aged Care Act. It is designed to be used either by the organisation’s leadership alone, or by a Sector Support and Development provider (or other consultant) assisting key personnel to reflect on their level of preparedness.

• The checklist is made available in two formats: (1) the checklist format (this document), and (2) an action plan format in an Excel spreadsheet.

Board Briefing Toolkit

• Board Briefing Toolkit - Aged Care Reform

• Watch the launch webinar here

• Developed by fellow Sector Support and Development Providers - Eastern Sector Development Team

• This resources has been deisgned to support CHSP senior leaders in briefing Board Members about the ongoing aged care reform agenda. It is a helpful guide, though not exhaustive, and contains information available at the time of its publication (October 2024).

• The Board Briefing Toolkit provides a summary of the crucial changes impacting CHSP Providers. It is divided into four sections.

  • Orientation adn Guidance: An introduction to the resource, including tips and suggestions for conducting successful Board briefings.

  • Summary of key changes: An overview of significant changes affecting CHSP organisations, with reflective questions to help you assess your organisation's current state and prepare for the future.

  • Example Board Briefing resources

  • Additional resources and staying informed

The New Single Assessment System teams commenced on 9 December 2024.

At the recent Invox Conference, it was advised that many of the new Single Assessment Teams are currently recruiting, establishing their services, and training assessors. It was recommended that CHSP Providers allow these teams to establish themselves, before inviting them to network meetings and the like.

It was recommended instead that CHSP Providers take the opportunity to look at their public-facing information on My Aged Care with fresh eyes. The information that you provide on My Aged Care forms part of your promotional strategy to future clients AS WELL as the Single Assessment Teams. This is your time to promote what you do to the Assessors - what sets you apart from the other providers, when and where to you provide your services. Put as much information as possible within your 1000-character limit. If you provide information in the attachments, be aware that few assessors look at this information.

The new single assessment team system aims to:

• make it easier for people to access different aged care services as their needs change
• is simpler to navigate
• provides a single pathway to access all government-funded aged care services
• ensures older people only have to tell their story once
• adapts to changing needs
• offers assessments in regional, rural and remote areas
• has shorter wait times.

The Department of Health and Aged Care have worked closely with assessment organisations to support a smooth transition. There should be no disruptions for anyone currently waiting for an assessment.

Find out more and explore the searchable map of assessment organisations or the list provided. If care recipients would like more information, please direct them to the fact sheet.

Staged price caps announced for Support at Home

The Department of Health and Aged Care has announced it is staging the introduction of price caps on services in the new Support at Home program. From 1 July 2025, in-home aged care providers will continue to set their own prices for Support at Home services, as currently occurs in the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program. A pooled approach to care management, based on 10% of ongoing Support at Home classification funding, will still commence from 1 July 2025.

Prices for CHSP have not yet been announced.

From 1 July 2026, government Support at Home price caps will apply.

The phased approach provides time for providers to prepare for the transition, including reviewing prices to ensure quality care management while accommodating administrative and overhead costs.

Home Care Package providers are encouraged to begin discussions with clients about Support at Home pricing as they will need to agree any price changes to commence from July 1 2025.

Further details can be found here:

• Fact sheet for in-home aged care providers
• Fact sheet for older people, families and carers

The Department of Health and Aged Care has opened grant GO7358 for Fair Work Commission (FWC) Stage 3 (Tranche 1) Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) Base - Closes 9 January 2025

The purpose of this grant opportunity is to provide one-off funding of the actual cost to CHSP service providers to meet the costs of increased wages of eligible aged care workers to the new minimum award wage from 1 January 2025.

Click here for details.

Please ensure that your organisation reviews the criteria and applies by 9 January 2025 if eligible. This funding relates to the recent Fair Work Commission ruling and provides funding to cover the additional wage costs.

Applications can only be accepted from:

• An existing CHSP service provider that:
  • has an executed grant agreement with the Commonwealth, as represented by the Department of Health and Aged Care, to deliver CHSP services that is due to expire on 30 June 2025; and
  • employs CHSP direct and indirect aged care workers that are paid under one of the following eligible award types that are impacted by the FWC Stage 3 decision (and must provide evidence of this through a completed Employee Workforce Capture Template and where relevant Enterprise Bargaining Agreement (EBA) that shows the eligible workers and award payment type / amount):
    • Aged Care Award 2010
    • Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHADS) Award 2010 (Schedule F – Home Care) , and
  • employs CHSP aged care under one or more of the below CHSP service types:
    • Allied Health and Therapy Services
    • Assistance with Care and Housing
    • Centre Based Respite
    • CHSP Personal Care
    • CHSP Transport
    • Cottage Respite
    • Domestic Assistance
    • Flexible Respite
    • Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology
    • Home Maintenance
    • Home Modifications
    • Meals
    • Nursing
    • Other Food Services
    • Service Systems Development
    • Social Support – Group
    • Social Support – Individual
    • Specialised Support Services

The Department of Health and Aged Care has released three documents outlining proposed changes to CHSP from 1 July 2025.

While these documents include information on proposed changes, they are very informative and show the direction that the Department is heading. It is a good opportunity for you to map the information included within against your current service delivery, data management and reporting, identifying opportunities and challenges, as well as any changes that you may need to make. The Department received a high response rate of 70% of providers from a recent survey about some of these changes, and the Department is working through the responses now. It is anticipated that the Unit Costs for 2025-2027 will be made available in March 2025.

• Proposed changes to Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) service list from 1 July 2025 – Fact sheet
• CHSP Service Catalogue
• Proposed changes to CHSP Data Exchange (DEX) from 1 July 2025

Proposed changes to Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) service list from 1 July 2025 – Fact sheet This fact sheet outlines what CHSP Providers need to know about the proposed changes to the service list from 1 July 2025. Changes relate to the alignment of CHSP's service list with that of the Support at Home service list. While this information is proposed only, it gives you a good opportunity to map your services against these proposed changes and the new service list, prior to the deeming process that is to occur. It may also be helpful to look at the services you provide now, and those that you may want to provide in the future.

CHSP Service Catalogue This chart shows the types of services provided as part of CHSP.

Proposed changes to CHSP Data Exchange (DEX) from 1 July 2025 This fact sheet outlines what CHSP providers need to know about the proposed changes to reporting requirements to reflect service list changes. Proposed changes include recording details against clients' My Aged Care ID and collecting more detailed information on the services provided. Note that these are proposed changes only, and concern about the changes and feedback have been provided to the Department via the recent survey undertaken to providers. While these are still proposed changes, a useful activity for your organisation to undertake now would be to map the data you currently collect and the capability of your data management systems, against what is being proposed.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has provided updated material for In-Home Aged Care Providers.

• Aged Care Reforms - A guide for providers - This booklet gives providers of in-home aged care and residential aged care an overview of what reforms will impact them, as well as how they can access support and have their say about the reforms.
• Aged Care Reform Roadmap - 2022 to 2025 - Updated timeline of key reform activities.
• Quarterly financial snapshot of the aged care sector - Quarter 4 2023-2024 - April to June 2024 - This snapshot provides information on the financial performance of the Australian aged care sector from April to June 2024. It includes analysis of residential care and home care.
• Service continuity and emergency events in aged care - provides information for residential and home care providers.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has released another round of Consultation - Funding for the new Support at Home Program.

They invite providers to give their feedback with this consultation covering Chapter 4 of the Aged Care Bill 2024.

It includes Stage 2a – Funding for Support at Home program which covers subsidies, individual contributions and means testing for older people. Stage 2b will be released later and covers the remaining Rules in Chapter 4.

This marks the second consultation stage on the Rules for the new Aged Care Act, following last month’s consultation on the Service List.

You can provide feedback via their online form.

Consultation closes on 6 December.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has released a survey to consult with CHSP Providers - Closes 13 November 2024.

This consultation opportunity is open for a short period only, closing 13 November 2024. It is important for your service to provide feedback, as responses will be used to inform decisions by the Department of Health and Aged Care for the CHSP 2025-2027 Extension.

Complete the survey here.

Before completing the survey, read the following documents:

• CHSP 2025–27 Extension Provider Survey Overview
• All applicable factsheets:
  • Changes to CHSP
  • Proposed changes to CHSP service list from 1 July 2025
  • Proposed changes to CHSP Data Exchange from 1 July 2025

This survey asks CHSP Providers about the proposed changes to DEX reporting, 2025-2027 unit pricing for CHSP, Sector Support and Development services and Specialised Support Services.

Please see the PDF version of the survey here - this is to assist you in knowing what questions are in the survey. You will need to complete the survey through the online link. PDF responses will not be accepted.

Now is your opportunity to influence the delivery of CHSP 2025 to 2027.

Support at Home program updates

The Department of Health and Aged Care has added key Support at Home resources to one section of their website. It can be viewed here. It includes webinars, webinar slides, fact sheets and reports that related to Support at Home.

See a message from the Department below.

Details of the Support at Home program were announced on 12 September 2024 by the Minister for Aged Care, the Hon Anika Wells MP.

The Support at Home program will replace the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Program from 1 July 2025. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition to the new program sometime after 1 July 2027.

Under the new Support at Home program, older people with more complex needs will have access to higher levels of care in their home. This will help them to stay in their home for longer.

Older people will only pay for services that have been delivered and they will never pay for clinical support. Based on their financial situation, older people will be asked to make a fair contribution to help pay for high-quality care and services – services that will help keep them independent and support everyday living.

How much people who are already receiving or are assessed as eligible for a package will contribute, will be based on a ‘no worse off’ principle. This will be for anyone already receiving a package, on the National Priority System, or assessed as eligible for a package on 12 September 2024. These people will be no worse off because of the reforms. They will make the same contributions, or lower, than they would have made under the HCP Program.

The Department of Health and Aged Care will keep working with HCP and STRC providers to make sure they’re prepared to move to Support at Home on 1 July 2025.

More information

The Department has a range of information and resources about the Support at Home program on their website. This includes recordings of their recent webinars and fact sheets.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has published a new section on their website - Changing aged care for the better - what you need to know

The new website section is located here.

It provides information on the following:

• Changes for older people
  • Learn more about how the reforms will strengthen your rights if you currently or will soon access aged care services
    • About the new Aged Care Act and how it will impact older people
    • Statement of Rights
    • Holding providers to account
    • Making a complaint
    • Strengthened Quality Standards
    • Getting involved
    • Supporters
    • The Act in practice
• Changes for providers
  • Learn more about how the reforms impact you as an existing aged care provider or if you're thinking about becoming a provider
    • About the new Aged Care Act and key changes for providers
    • Statement of Rights
    • Registration and renewal
    • Strengthened Quality Standards
    • Code of Conduct for Aged Care
    • Worker screening
    • Regulating the new Act
    • The Act in practice
• Changes for workers
  • Find out what you need to know about the reforms if you're working or thinking about working in the aged care sector
    • About the new Aged Care Act and key changes for workers
    • Strengthened Quality Standards
    • Statement of Rights
    • Code of Conduct for Aged Care
    • Protection for whistleblowers
    • The Act in practice

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has published the Complaints about aged care services - Year in review (2023-2024) Report

This is their second full year report exploring complaints that the Commission receives about aged care services. In this report, attention is drawn to clear patterns and trends in the complaints made about residential care and home services for 2023–24.

The Commission has provided 3 links on their page:

• Complaints about aged care services – Year in review (July 2023-June 2024).
  • Pages 13 to 17 relate to complaints about home services (including CHSP), pages 17 to 21 relate to information for people receiving care, and pages 21 to 27 includes information for aged care providers
  • In 2023-24, the Commission received 4,031 complaints about home care, an increase of of 0.4% and a 7.8% increase in issues
  • QLD had the second highest rate of complaints
  • Concerns about consultation and communication was the number one issue idendified
• Complaints about aged care services – Insights for providers report 2023
• Complaints about aged care home services – Insights for people receiving care (July-December 2023)

These patterns and trends tell the Commission where they need to target our monitoring and assessment of providers – holding them to account for addressing older people's needs and preferences. The details within also allow providers to benchmark themselves across the sector, and to identify opportunities to connect with aged care recipients and their families.

Everyone receiving aged care services has the right to safe, compassionate care. They deserve to be treated with dignity and respect. Providers and their governing bodies are responsible for protecting the rights of people in their care and delivering high-quality services.

If you’re a provider of aged care services, the Commission encourages you to read the report for the latest data, insights and lessons from the sector. Providers should use the report to examine their own performance and identify areas where they need to improve.

The report also covers:  

• information for people receiving care and the importance of sharing your concerns
• information for providers and how to make sure that your complaints management process is meaningful and effective
• the Commission’s complaint handling performance.

They want to empower people receiving care to speak up, offer feedback and raise concerns if something doesn’t seem right. They also want to help providers to understand their obligations to support and manage feedback and complaints.

Complaints about aged care services can be made to the Commission by telephone on 1800 951 822 or by visiting our website. You can also find more information about making a complaint on their website.

Read the full report - Complaints about aged care services – Year in review (July 2023 to June 2024).

The Department of Health and Aged Care has engaged IHACPA - The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority, to come up with the service list prices for Support at Home. IHACPA is currently consulting - Consultation Paper on the Pricing Approach for the Support at Home service list 2025-26. They invite you to have your say.

• For Home Care Package Providers, the prices set will come into play 2025 when you transition over to Support at Home.
• For CHSP Providers, the prices set for Support at Home in 2025-26 will give you an indication of the prices for when you move across to Support at Home no earlier than July 2027. These prices may or may not impact on your prices for the CHSP 2025-2027 extension contract.
• It is very important for CHSP Providers to participate in this consultation, as it will impact on your finances and continued viability as an aged care provider.

IHACPA invites you to have your say on the pricing approach for the Support at Home service list 2025–26 consultation paper. The Australian Government’s Support at Home program will combine existing in-home aged care services into a single, simplified program designed to assist older people to live independently at home for longer. The program will replace the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme from 1 July 2025. 

Consultation on the new Aged Care Act - Services List

Public consultation across the entire aged care sector continues to inform the development of these important new laws.

See details here

The Department of Health and Aged Care has released Stage 1 - Service List for consultation. This round of consultation closes 31 October 2024. The Stage 1 release contains the service list. This outlines the care and services that will be available to older people under the new laws. You can submit feedback on the service list via the online form. Submissions close 31 October 2024.

Thank you to Sector Support and Development colleagues at YourSide for putting this list of consultation opportunities together.

Pilot program EOI: New In-home aged care quality indicator pilot

Expressions of Interest extended until Friday 11 October 2024 client-satisfaction The Department of Health and Aged Care is working to introduce quality indicators for in-home aged care. HealthConsult is running a 12-week pilot from early October 2024 to test the proposed quality indicators. Quality Indicators measure important aspects of quality of care that can affect an older person’s health and well-being. The pilot is open to CHSP, HCP or STRC providers. The full spectrum of in-home aged care service providers are encouraged to participate to ensure the final QIs are practical, relevant and effective in driving improved quality of care for all older people. Register your interest: Department of Health and Aged Care

Subordinate legislation released: Stage 1 Release - Service List
Outlining care and services that will be available under the new act. (here 1)
Feedback on the service list open until 31 October here 1

Co-design workshop: CALD communications project co-design workshop (online)
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is developing a Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communications and engagement strategy to help CALD communities understand the upcoming changes to aged care and what it means for them. Join a co-design workshop on proposed messaging, communications channels, and communication barriers and opportunities.

• Aged care workers and provider representatives: Wed 9 October 2024, 2:00pm to 3:30pm AEDT
• Older people, their family, friends & representatives: Thurs 10 October 2024, 2:00pm to 3:30pm AEDT
  Register your interest: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission 1

Survey or Written Submissions: Draft National Nursing Workforce Strategy
Closing 20 October 2024
The Department of Health and Aged Care is developing Australia’s first National Nursing Workforce Strategy. The strategy will establish priorities for enhancing the nursing workforce, aiming to bolster the delivery of health and aged care to all Australian communities. It offers a comprehensive framework to foster collaboration and drive action among stakeholders in shaping the future of workforce planning, investment and reform.
Read the Draft National Nursing Workforce Strategy.
Submissions: Department of Health and Aged Care

Pricing for the Support at Home service list 2025-26
Closing 25 October 2024 unit-costing
The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) is seeking feedback on their development of unit prices for the Support at Home service list. Your feedback will ensure IHACPA provides pricing advice that meets the needs of the aged care sector and accurately reflects the cost of delivering safe and high-quality services.
Submissions: IHACPA

Expressions of Interest: Implementing Aged Care Reforms: discussions with the Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission (For aged care workers and providers)
The Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission is seeking aged care providers and workers to join an informal network to provide insights and expertise on the development of processes and resources. Previous discussions covered the Strengthened Standards, website updates and educational products.
Register your interest: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission 1

The Department has released Outcomes from the 2021, 2022 and 2023 Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) Wellness and reablement reports.

CHSP providers are required to report on wellness and reablement approaches in their service delivery practices through an online report each year. The results measure providers’ progress towards embedding wellness and reablement approaches. They also help us to understand the impact of service delivery approaches and identify what is working well and common challenges.

• 2023 Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) wellness and reablement report outcomes

  • Analysis of 2023 report data and written responses suggests that CHSP service providers see the benefit in embedding wellness and reablement approaches, but many find it challenging to implement and maintain. Data from the 2023 report reveals reporting levels consistent with the 2022 reporting on the frequency that providers develop care plans, accept referrals, and deliver short-term CHSP services.

  • Analysis of the reported benefits and successes of wellness and reablement identified the following themes:

    • Active involvement and engagement of clients in planning their assessments, care plans, goal setting and tailoring approaches to their needs resulted in empowered clients, informed service delivery and increased client satisfaction.
    • Communication with the client including active listening, building relationships with them, ensuring they were comfortable with services provided, and asking for feedback resulted in positive wellness and reablement outcomes.
    • Social wellbeing (including communication benefits) was enhanced through interactions between staff and clients, improvements made to clients’ homes, and group activities, which reduced feelings of loneliness and isolation.
    • Education of staff and clients in the application of wellness and reablement enhanced client outcomes as this addressed expectations and improved levels of engagement.

  • CHSP service providers shed light on the challenges associated with embedding wellness and reablement approaches. The most significant challenges for wellness approaches were capacity, client-related issues, cost, demand and staffing. The most significant challenges for reablement were client-related issues, capacity, demand, staffing, process and cost.

• 2021 and 2022 Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) wellness and reablement report outcomes
• Outcomes of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) wellness and reablement report 2019–2020
• Outcomes of the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) wellness and reablement report 2018

Aged Care Providers have been notified in the Your Aged Care Update (YACU) newsletter on Tuesday, 24 September 2024.

If you have any questions, email WellnessAndReablement@health.gov.au

You would have seen some big announcements in recent weeks regarding the upcoming Aged Care Reforms.

Please continue to remain on top of these reforms, as they will impact every CHSP Provider. I've attempted to provide a summary of the past few weeks.

On the 12^th of September, the Australian Government:

• Introduced the Aged Care Bill 2024 to Parliament
• Released its response to the Aged Care Taskforce
• Announced details of the Support at Home program

The full ACT and the tabled documents are available here. A plain English fact sheet is available here, and Minister Well's Media release is available here.

The Aged Care Bill 2024 is for a new Aged Care Act – the main law that sets out how the aged care system operates. This new law aims to improve the quality, regulation and transparency of aged care services:

• Quality Standards: Emphasis on person-centred care, tailoring services to individual needs and rights.
• Regulatory Measures: Stricter reporting and assessments, through criminal penalties for providers have now been excluded.
• Transparency: Greater access to provider performance information to support consumers to make informed choices.

CHSP Providers will come under the Aged Care ACT for the first time, come 1 July 2025 (expected date of commencement). Once the Bill is passed, the Sub-Ordinate Legislation will be developed and distributed. This is also known as the Rules. The ACT sets out legally how the aged care system operates. The Rules is where you will see reference to CHSP, and it will set out in more detail what the program looks like. Fellow Sector Support and Development Provider Yourside has provided a good summary of information on the Aged Care Bill.

Organisations and individuals have the opportunity to provide feedback on the Aged Care Bill 2024 by 30 September 2024. Responses will be published on the Senate Committee website, and will inform parliamentary debate and the Committee's response on the Aged care Bill. See details here.

Support at Home aims to provide:

• more tailored support, with 8 ongoing classifications up to $78,000 per year
• support for home modifications
• fast access to assistive technology, including a new equipment loan scheme
• a no worse off principle for people already in the aged care system.
• Government-covered clinical care for older Australians.
• Means-tested contributions for non-clinical care.
• New funding arrangements including a higher maximum annual payment for clients and a new 8-level classification system for care delivery.

Support at Home is expected to commence 1 July 2025. Home Care Packages will move to Support at Home 1 July 2025. CHSP will move into Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027. While the move is now a few years away, 1 July 2025 will be the first time CHSP will come under the Act, and the Department is undertaking activity for CHSP's move to Support at Home now. To maintain compliance under the Aged Care ACT, and to transition across to Support at Home Program, you will need to remain engaged in the process - there are a lot of changes coming, so stay informed and act.

Note that new Quality Standards will commence at the same time as the ACT and Support at Home - 1 July 2025 (expected date). CHSP providers will be deemed across into Registration Categories, based on what services you are currently funded for. Please note that the proposed Registration Categories have been modified from previous versions- view information here. You will need to understand which Categories your services are within, as the new Quality Standards will be applied dependent on those Categories.

The proposed registration categories have recently been updated:

• Social Support and Community Engagement has moved back to Category 3.
• Meals and Nutrition have been separated into two distinct items, with meals set to Category 1 and Nutrition set to Category 4.
• Care Management (Basic) previously Category 3, is now Care Management Category 4.
• Care Management (Complex) previously Category 5, is now Care Management Category 4.

Department Webinars

Please view the webinar recordings listed below, and register for the upcoming webinars. These Webinars and Recordings are critical to your understanding of what is happening.

• Ensuring the future of quality aged care - Webinar - 13 September. The recording and slides are available here.
• Support at Home program update - Webinar - 19 September. The recording and slides are available here.
• 24 September - Support at Home Questions and Answers Session - In-home Aged Care Providers - register here
• 22 October - CHSP 2025-27 Extension Webinar - register here.

COTA Queensland will continue to keep you informed by promoting webinars and resources relevant to CHSP Providers via our CHSP Provider Hub and news emails. We are currently digesting the information recently released and will provide updates where we can.

2023 Aged Care Provider Workforce Survey

The 2023 Aged Care Provider Workforce Survey was commissioned by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. The 2023 Survey follows five previous reports conducted to examine the aged care workforce published between 2003 and 2020. These reports provide benchmark data to inform the Australian Government and the aged care sector on the size and growth of the workforce and the attributes and skills of the workforce which are central to the delivery of quality aged care services.

You can access the Gen Data survey results here, and the summary report here.

To look at CHSP figures - select Home Support.

Home Care Workforce Support Program - Legacy Website

COTA Queensland partnered with Skills Hubs and Skills Generation to deliver the Home Care Workforce Support Program in Queensland. In response to the Final Report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Program aimed to provide targeted support to assist the aged care sector increase the size of the personal care workforce, as well as build the capability of the existing workforce.

While the program recently ended, the Consortium has built a legacy website - https://workforce.cotaqld.org.au/ - containing important information on how we can continue to attract, train and retain workers. By visiting this site you will hear stories from workers, carers and consumers and access industry and learning resources including toolkits, guidance documents and guidelines.

One of the resources available is the - Some New Aged Care Knowledge (SNACK); a podcast designed for CHSP and Home Care Package staff, or people training in or planning to join the home care workforce. There are four seasons of byte-sized inspiration and vital information for person-centred aged care. These podcasts were produced in partnerships with the Queensland Council for LGBTI Health, serving Queensland's LGBTI, Sistergirl, and Brotherboy communities; Ethnic Communities’ Council of Queensland, which looks to represent the needs and goals of multicultural communities; and EmPauR, a Torres Strait Islander-owned business dedicated to fostering cultural understanding and empowerment within Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities. Listen to the podcasts here - https://workforce.cotaqld.org.au/podcasts/, or on your favourite podcast platform.

Recent webinar recordings relevant to CHSP Providers are now available

• 9 September 2024 - Elder Abuse Case Study Webinar - How to seek assistance as a CHSP Provider
  • The COTA Queensland and Meals on Wheels Queensland Sector Support and Development Teams spoke with Detective Senior Sergeant Debbie Phillips (Queensland Police Service), Anne-Louise McCawley (Caxton Legal - SLASS), and Rose Brown (Tenants QLD). They provided information for CHSP Providers, staff and volunteers on Elder Abuse, red flags, reporting and support services available.
  • Watch recording here | Slide Deck | Elder Abuse Resources | Capacity for decision-making, guardianship and options community of practice invitation.

• 5 September 2024 - Community of Practice Session - Innovating for Success with Inclusee - Part 2
  • The COTA Queensland Sector Support and Development Team spoke with Tatia Power, Engagement Manager - Inclusee. In this second session, Tatia provided valuable information on: * innovation, risk and AI * the strengths of neurodiversity in innovation * the importance of collaboration and fostering a culture of idea generation We encourage you to watch Tatia's first recording where she provides: * an overview of Inclusee * detail on Inclusee's eleven step plan for innovation * information on innovation as a concept, the risks of not embracing it, and its impact on the aged care industry
  • Watch recording here | Tatia can be contacted here

• COTA Queensland's CHSP Provider Online Hub makes available
  • COTA Queensland's Community of Practice recordings. These are located on the right hand side of the page, under the Calendar of Events
  • Government, COTA Queensland and other Sector Support and Development Provider recordings. These recordings, as well as accompanying slide decks and resources, can be accessed by clicking on the Recordings Available Tab next to the Latest News Tab

The Department of Health and Aged Care has recently updated their online information about the new aged care regulatory model.

It is encouraged that you become familiar with what is currently outlined. See information here.

• About the new model
• How the new model will work
• New programs to be regulated
• Provider obligations and support
• Next Steps
• Related Information
• Contact

Note that the provider registration categories have been altered since Consultation Paper 2 was released. These changes have not be discussed in recent webinars or reports, so be mindful that these may not be the final categories.

• Category 1 - Home and community services - Domestic assistance, Home maintenance and repairs, Meals, Transport
• Category 2 - Assistive technology and home modifications - Equipment and products and home adjustments
• Category 3 - Advisory and support services - Hoarding and squalor assistance, Social Support and Community Engagement (Note, this was previously in Category 4)
• Category 4 - Personal care and care support in the home or community, including respite - Allied health and other therapy, Personal care, Nutrtion, Therapeutic services for independent living, Home or community general respite, Community cottage respite, Care management (this was previously in Category 3), Restorative care management
• Category 5 - Nursing and transition care - Nursing care, Assistance with transition care
• Category 6 - Residential care (including respite) - Residential accommodation, Residential everyday living, Residential services, Residential clinical care

Please be aware, that there is no formal transition period for when the new Aged Care Quality Standards and ACT come into play (proposed 1 July 2025). This means that now is your transition period. You are encouraged to prepare for the transition now. If your services sit in Category 1, 2 or 3, you will not need to go through the formal auditing process. However, this does not mean that your governance, quality and safety measures cease. There will be a level or each that you will be expected to achieve, and desk-top audits completed.

Fellow Sector Support and Development Providers ACCPA and Eastern Access Community Health (EACH) Sector Support and Development is current surveying CHSP Providers on CHSP Volunteer Recruitment and Training.

As a sector, we know that recruiting new volunteers, retaining existing volunteers and managing volunteers can be quite challenging. While these Sector Support and Development Providers are based in NSW, they are seeking involvement from CHSP Providers across Queensland. The network of Sector Support and Development Providers is strengthening each day, and the outcomes of this survey will be shared across this network, with the aim of providing more targeted support to CHSP Providers around Volunteer Recruitment and Training.

This survey aims to explore the possibility of forming partnerships to share these activities across multiple stakeholders and will be summarised into a report. Your feedback will be crucial in helping them improve and expand support efforts.

This survey will take only a few minutes to complete. Complete the survey here.

As a reminder, the Department of Health and Aged Care recently released the Guidance handbook for Volunteer Managers in aged care.

Following on from the recent launches (see previous Latest News items) of the ITC Toolkit and Evaluation of Platforms report, Enkindle Consulting and Three Digital are establishing a Home Care Technology Communities of Practice.

This free online forum is designed exclusively for Home Care Providers, including CHSP Providers.

This community of practice will offersa supportive space to connect, share experiences, and learn from one another.

In our 2024 Home Care Outlook Survey, 75% of respondents revealed that their current Home Care IT system is either not fit for purpose, unprepared for the upcoming Support at Home program, or non-existent. Enkindle understands the many challenges and anxieties providers face when selecting and implementing new IT systems—especially the risk of investing in a solution that doesn’t deliver the expected benefits.

Enkindle Consulting and Three Digital have collaborated with members of the the Sector Support and Development network, in providing tools, tips, and essential information to guide Home Care providers on their technology journey. However, they recognise the growing need for providers to connect with peers, share insights, and learn from each other’s experiences.

To meet this need, they are launching the Home Care Technology Communities of Practice, which will run for the next twelve months. Their first session is scheduled for Thursday 17th October, 9.30am - 11.30am, and it is open exclusively to providers of CHSP and HCP services. This forum acknowledges that many home care organisations do not have IT managers or technology experts on staff. Anyone in your organisation who is responsible for, or interested in technologies in home care is welcome.

Please click here to register. Please provide your position and organisation so they can tailor breakout rooms accordingly.

For any inquiries, please email hello@enkindle.com.au.

The Home Care Client Management System (CMS) Solutions: A 2024 Evaluation and Guide has been released

Earlier this year we provided you with an ITC Toolkit - A Practical Guide to Implementing a home care Client Management System (CMS). CHSP Providers have found this toolkit useful, with step by step instructions on how best to source and implement a home care client management system.

A second report has now been released - The Home Care Client Management System (CMS) Solutions: A 2024 Evaluation and Guide. This report consolidates information on eleven leading Home Care Client Management System (CMS) solutions for the home care sector in Australia. With the increasing demand for high-quality aged care services, selecting the right CMS is critical for providers to ensure efficient operations and optimal service delivery. Each software application has been evaluated according to multiple criteria, including functionality, user-friendliness, technology integration, and industry compliance. By providing a comprehensive analysis, this report aims to help guide home care providers in understanding the various capabilities of Home Care CMS solutions in the market and assist them in making better-informed decisions on their CMS selection. This will enhance their service delivery, streamline administrative tasks, and ultimately improve the quality of care for their clients.

This report was funded by Sector Support and Development partners from New South Wales— Central Coast, Central West, Inner West Sydney, South West Sydney, Orana Far West, and aims to provide a valuable resource for the sector, by offering comprehensive information and analysis to aid in the decision-making processes involved in selecting a new home care CMS solution.

It is a downloadable document, ensuring recipients are advised if any updates or changes are made to the document. With that in mind, please do not distribute the actual document but feel free to share the download link: https://innerwestagedcareservices.org.au/page/itc-evaluation-report-for-ssd

This document is not to be published on websites or directly distributed.

If you have any questions regarding this report, you can contact NSW Central Coast SSD jodi.livesley@wesleymission.org.au

You can view the recording of the Launch Webinar here.

The COTA Queensland Sector Support and Development Team would love to hear from you about the usefulness of this report, and how you have used it within your service - CHSPSectorSupport@cotaqld.org.au

The Health Workforce Scholarship Program (HWSP) provides scholarships and bursaries to help health professionals in remote and rural Australia retain and enhance their skills, capacity and scope of practice.

​The HWSP is an initiative of the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Health Workforce Program, administered in Queensland by Health Workforce Queensland. If you are providing services in other States or the Northern Territory, please visit Health Workforce Scholarship Program Australia website.

Scholarships or bursaries are available for medical, nursing/midwifery, dental, allied health and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health workers providing primary health care services in rural and remote Queensland in private practice, an Aboriginal Medical Service (AMS), Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Services (ACCHS) or a non-government or not-for-profit organisation.

Eligible locations:

• Qualified health professionals providing primary health care in rural and remote locations in Queensland in a MMM 3-7 location; or
• Qualified health professionals providing primary health care employed by an AMS and ACCHS in MMM 1-7 location

What funding is available?

• Scholarship: up to $10,000 per year can be provided for up to two years study, to attain a postgraduate qualification of either a postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, Master, or PhD.
• Bursary: payments of up to $10,000 within a 12-month period that covers the cost of training or course fees and/or cover or partially cover training-related expenses, where appropriate. For example, an accredited industry conference, vocational education, online workshop, and training courses.

When is funding is available?

• Round 3 2024 applications are open between 23/09/2024-13/10/2024
• Round 1 2025 applications are open between 20/01/2025-03/02/2025
• Round 2 2025 applications are open between 24/03/2025-07/04/2025
• Round 3 2025 applications are open between 08/07/2025-22/07/2025
• Round 4 2025 applications are open between 22/09/2025-06/10/2025

See complete details here.

Free professional development opportunities for CHSP Providers - Enhancing Cultural Competence

Fellow Sector Support and Development Providers, The Ethnic Communities Council of Qld’s (ECCQ) Multicultural Partners Program (formerly Multicultural Advisory Service), provides free professional Development in Cultural Diversity for CHSP providers, including Respite Centres.

ECCQ also work with older people from Culturally and Linguistically Diverse (CALD) communities to provide information on aged care, assist in accessing services, advocate, promote your services and provide consultation and resources.

Now is the time to ensure professional development for staff in cultural diversity and responsiveness to meet the needs of multicultural communities in Australia. Training topics include:

• Communicating Across Cultures
• Culture and Mental Health
• Culture, Health and Wellbeing
• Working effectively with Professional Interpreters.

Each topic can be delivered for 2hrs, 2.5hrs or 3 hrs to suit your needs. Please contact Thana Roysmith - thanar@eccq.com.au to book a training session.

Now is a good time to review your Emergency and Disaster Management Plan

October to April is high-risk weather season. This means flooding, bushfire, tropical cyclones, storms and heatwaves are all more likely. As the high-risk season is approaching, now is the time to develop or update your Emergency and Disaster Management Plan.

The aged care sector is vulnerable during this time, and may face evacuations, staff shortages, power outages and problems accessing essential supplies. Even during emergencies, aged care service providers must maintain continuity of care for older people both in aged care homes and receiving home care. The best way to do this is by having a plan in place.

Resources to assist:

• Department of Health and Aged Care's Service continue and emergency events in aged care
  • As a provider, you must maintain quality care to older people during an emergency. This is required by the Aged Care Quality Standards (Quality Standards) and the Aged Care Act 1997. It might also be required for your grant or aged care funding agreement.
  • Poor or slow responses to an emergency increases risk to older people and staff. The Quality Standards require you to maintain effective risk management systems and practices. These systems ensure you can manage high-impact risks to the care of older people during an emergency. Emergency risk management falls under Standard 3 and Standard 8.
  • If your service cannot meet its obligations under its grant or aged care funding agreement with respect to emergencies, contact your state office. In Queensland contact Engagement.Qld@health.gov.au
• Safe Work Australia's:
  • Emergency management plan template
  • Preparing for an Emergency Event – Home Care
  • Preparing for an Emergency Event – Commonwealth Home Support Programme
• Heatwave Service for Australia
  • Caring for older people in heatwaves – Home care and CHSP
• Flood and storm information and support

Aged Care SNACK Podcasts - Seasons 3 and 4 now available

SNACK Podcasts – Some New Aged Care Knowledge

As part of our work with building the capacity of the personal care workforce, COTA Queensland has created a podcast series called SNACK – Some New Aged Care Knowledge. Seasons 3 and 4 have recently been released.

SNACK has been designed for home care staff, people training or planning to join the home care workforce, and focuses on the real experiences of providing, and receiving, person-centred care.

SNACK breaks down some of the big questions around what it really means to be person-centred, with insights from those in the know including people who use care services, care staff, and other experts in the field. The conversations on the podcast cover lots of ground, including ageism and attitudes, autonomy and risk, self-care, advocacy and allyship, diversity and inclusion, and communication, plus more.

Each episode is a short, accessible piece of inspiration and information for anyone looking to understand and develop person-centredness. Listen whenever you get your podcasts or listen here www.cotaqld.org.au/snack

Season Four episodes are brought to you by COTA Queensland and EmPaur, exploring the complex relationships involved in delivering and receiving culturally appropriate care for Torres Strait Islander people. Through honest conversations and touching stories, the podcast aims to show how important family bonds and cultural traditions are in the changing world of caregiving.

Season Four episodes include:

• Through the Wisdom of Elders
• Exploring Language and Identity

Season Three episodes are brought to you by COTA Queensland and The Ethnic Communities’ Council of Queensland, exploring issues and supports for working and caring for culturally and linguistically diverse people.

Season Three episodes include:

• Strategies to communicate effectively with culturally diverse clients
• Working well with culturally diverse clients - the perspective of a bilingual home care worker
• The value of engaging professional interpreters
• The experience of accessing culturally appropriate aged care in regional areas - a carer's perspective
• Respectful curiosity - approaching mental health in diverse communities
• Embracing solutions to culturally appropriate care
• The importance of a cultural assessment to better understand multicultural consumers

Season Two episodes are brought to you by COTA Queensland and Queensland Positive People (QPP), focusing on the unique needs of older individuals living with HIV.

In this season, QPP takes a person-centred approach to care, exploring the factors that contribute to the health and wellbeing of older People Living with HIV (PLHIV). The episodes provide essential insights for the aged care and home care workforce, offering a nuanced understanding of the challenges faced by this demographic. From historical stigma and discrimination to the impact of isolation and a higher prevalence of chronic illness, SNACK equips caregivers with the knowledge and sensitivity needed to provide optimal care. This series navigates the intricacies of aged care and home care, fostering a deeper understanding of the diverse needs of older PLHIV and paving the way for a more compassionate and informed caregiving community.

Season Two episodes include:

• A New Frontier - Caring for older Australians living with HIV
• Unveiling Truths - Aged care worker's guide to HIV myths and stigmas
• Ageing with HIV - It's the same but different
• Let's Talk Meds - Opening doors in HIV Home Care
• Safe Spaces, Diverse Faces - Person-Centred Care for PLHIV

Season One episodes are brought to you by Dr Andrea Petriwskyj, COTA Queensland's former Project Lead, Engagement and Education, hosts a number of conversations, covering lots of ground, including ageism and attitudes, autonomy and risk, self-care, advocacy and allyship, diversity and inclusion, and communication, and more.

Season One episodes include:

• Craving some aged care inspiration? It's time for a SNACK
• Person-centred - what's the difference?
• Building your toolkit
• No small roles
• Respect
• Who's the boss?
• A question of trust
• What difference do our differences make?
• It's not just what you say
• When something's not right
• One of those days (and series wrap-up)

Listen whenever you get your podcasts or listen here www.cotaqld.org.au/snack

The Department of Health and Aged Care have advised that the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) has now replaced the National Aged Care Screening and Assessment Form.

The IAT is the new tool for assessing eligibility of older people for government subsidised aged care.

The commencement of the IAT is the first stage of implementing the Single Assessment System which aims to make it easier for older people to access aged care and adapt services as their needs change. The IAT will allow assessors to collect more complete information about the person seeking services to tailor recommendations and referrals.

There are no changes to aged care eligibility requirements or referrals to urgent services.

Read more about the new Integrated Assessment Tool.

The Department has also released an updated list of Regional Assessment Service (RAS) organisations by state, territory and region.

Draft new Aged Care Act consultation – feedback report

The Department of Health and Aged Care has announced that feedback and submissions from the recent consultation on the draft new Aged Care Act are now available. The Department of Health and Aged Care:

• received over 320 submissions and over 800 surveys
• heard from more than 10,000 people at 3 webinars, 42 workshops and 5 roundtables.

Some of the most common issues people raised were:

• the time available to implement the new Act
• how people’s rights will be upheld
• how supported decision-making, whistleblower protections and the new definition of high-quality care will work in practice
• the suggested new duty for board members and people in positions of responsibility to make sure that aged care providers don’t negatively affect the health and safety of older people in their care
• the level of independence of the Complaints Commissioner.

This feedback will be drawn on by the Government to shape the final version of the Bill to be introduced to Parliament.

Depending on parliamentary processes, the new Act will start on 1 July 2025 alongside the launch of the new Support at Home program. The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards will also apply from the commencement of the new Act.

The consultation feedback report and submissions are now available on the department’s website.

The Department of Health and Aged care have updated the CHSP Manual.

This 2024–2025 manual provides an overview of the CHSP, including the service types it funds and requirements for delivering those services. It is for CHSP providers to use, and forms part of their CHSP grant agreement.

The CHSP Manual 2024–2025 has been updated to reflect minor changes to policy and program requirements and has had a formatting update with a view to make the manual more reader friendly. This version supersedes previous versions.

Updates include, but are not limited to:

• the inclusion of Aged Care Reform information
• eligibility and waitlists
• domestic assistance, Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology, meals and nursing
• consideration of carers
• sector support and development
• MMM loadings
• flexibility provisions
• quality and complaints
• Serious Incident Response Scheme
• financial responsibilties
• compliance
• reporting

Be sure to familiarise yourself with the updated manual. Access the manual here.

• CHSP Provider Manual
• Appendix A - Context and history of the CHSP
• Appendix B - Embedding wellness and reablement in the CHSP
• Appendix C - Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) contacts, supports and resources
• Appendix D - CHSP client and carer supports, resources and information
• Appendix E - CHSP Police Certificate Guidelines
• Appendix F - Guide to the National CHSP Client Contribution Framework
• Appendix G - CHSP National Unit Price Ranges and reasonable client contributions
• Appendix H - CHSP Compliance Framework 2024–25
• Appendix I - CHSP service catalogue
• Appendix J - CHSP Community Transport Pricing Pilot - This appendix is coming soon
• Summary of changes to the CHSP Manual 2024–2025

The Department of Health and Aged Care has released the Draft new Aged Care Act consultation feedback report.

Earlier this year, the Department consulted on the Draft new Aged Care Act. As part of the consultation, the Department received 320 submissions and 800 surveys, and heard from 10,000 people at their webinars, workshops and roundtables.

The consultation feedback report and submissions are now available. COTA Queensland's Sector Support and Development Team participaticated in a face to face workshop in Logan.

The most common matters raised were:

• the time available to implement the new Act
• how people’s rights will be upheld
• how supported decision-making, whistleblower protections and the new definition of high-quality care will work in practice
• the proposed new due diligence duty on board members and responsible people
• the Complaints Commissioner’s independence.

The feedback received is informing the final Bill, which will be introduced to Parliament. Subject to parliamentary processes, the new Act will commence on 1 July 2025 to align with the launch of the new Support at Home program.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has released some information on preparing providers for the new model - Provider registration and the deeming process.

We encourage you to read the information here.

This information applies to you as CHSP Providers.

Briefly:

• There will be 6 registration categories, with group service types based on similar care complexity and risk. Registration requirements, provider obligations, and regulatory oversight will be proportionate to the registration categories.
• Providers will be able to register into one or more of the 6 categories relevant to the type of services they provide. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will oversee provider registration and renewal.
• The standard registration period will be for 3 years. For existing aged care providers, the Commission will stagger these dates after the new Act commences to allow the orderly management of registration renewal. The timeframes for re-registration will depend on the provider's registration categories, and whether an audit against the Quality Standards is required. This process may begin up to 18 months prior to the registration period ending.
• Providers will need to demonstrate their suitability, capability, viability and propriety to deliver aged care services to the Commission at entry, and then again at renewal.
• Existing providers will be automatically 'deemed' to be registered when the new Aged Care Act commences and this will be based on the services they are currently delivering. Aged care providers currently providing services will not need to apply to become a registered provider ahead of the new Act commencing.
• Once the new Act commences, providers will operate under the new regulatory model and the related obligations of registration categories will apply at that time.
• Existing providers do not need to take action at this time. Providers will continue to operate as normal through the transition deeming process.

Please read the Department's information here.

Fellow Sector Support and Development Providers, Grampians Region Sector Development, have released a resource -Exploring Diversity & Wellness, A Toolkit for reflective conversations.

The Exploring Diversity & Wellness toolkit has been designed to support conversations and learning opportunities to broaden the understanding of the many people we work with. This toolkit provides a foundation to explore diversity, inclusion, wellness and reablement through case studies for organisations providing Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).

Access the Toolkit here.

If you are new to this resource it is recommended you download the Welcome Guide & Matrix for further information. To access the online resource, click on each of the individual icons below within the Matrix, this will allow you to open specific documents and use them accordingly. Each Topic has an individual Facilitator Guide & Question Card. To access the Case Studies click on the relevant icon in line with the Topic you wish to discuss. Please note there are short animated clips for some of the case studies, these are accessible when clicking on the relevant case studies or by clicking the link below.

Fellow CHSP Sector Support and Development Providers, MCCSA, have released a new resource - AI and Aged Care: From basics to adoption (video series)

MCCSA is excited to share with you a brand new explainer video series on AI (and particularly generative AI) and its potential to transform the way aged care organisations operate.

Introducing “AI-Powered Aged Care: From Basics to Adoption,” a comprehensive four-part series that explores the world of artificial intelligence and its applications in the aged care sector. Presented by Aiden, an AI-generated avatar, this series is designed to help aged care providers understand the fundamentals of AI, discover its practical uses in streamlining their daily operations, and guide them through the steps for successful implementation.

Through this video series, you will:

1. Gain a deep understanding of AI and its transformative potential in aged care
2. Learn about generative AI and how it can streamline your daily operations
3. Discover the 6 key steps for successfully adopting AI in your organisation
4. Explore the challenges, ethical considerations, and regulatory landscape surrounding AI in aged care

Aged care organisations in Australia can stay ahead of the curve and position themselves at the forefront of the AI revolution. By embracing this transformative technology, they can enhance the lives of older individuals, support their staff, and set a new standard for care delivery.

Access the complete video series now by visiting this link 5.

Home Care ICT Platforms Survey

Last year, CHSP Sector Support and Development teams from Victoria, in collaboration with Enkindle Consulting, released the ITC Toolkit - A practical guide to implementing a home care client management system. We have heard from a number of CHSP Providers in Queensland how useful this Toolkit has been for them.

Phase Two of the Project involves the NSW Sector Support and Development Network, in collaboration with Enkindle Consulting, in independently evaluating ten Home Care Client Management systems on behalf of CHSP Providers. The report once finalised will be shared with you. The project team want to balance what the IT vendors show providers in their demonstrations with the experience home care providers have using their systems. To assist with the evaluation, the team are seeking feedback from CHSP Providers as to what platforms you are currently using, and what you like and dislike about them. To complete the survey, click here.

Share your feedback on the following draft documents by midday AEST, 30 April 2024:

• Guidance for providers on strengthened Quality Standards 1-7 
• Audit Methodology 
• Evidence Framework 
• Guidance for Aged Care Workers 
• Pre-audit Preparation Tool 
• Request for Information Templates
• Glossary of Terms.

Read the documents and provide feedback here

The Australian Government’s Care Finder program targets people who require intensive support to engage with My Aged Care and access relevant community support. Care Finders help vulnerable people - who do not have anybody else who can support them – to learn about, apply for and set up support services.

Some older Australians need additional support due to

• Communication and language barriers

• Difficulty processing information due to cognitive decline

• Reluctance to engage with a need for support

• Reluctance to engage with government services.

To search for a Care Finder organisation in your area, go to the My Aged Care Care Finders Directory here

The Australian Government established the Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) service that can help older people in more detail with their Aged Care matters such as:

• providing in-depth information on the different types of aged care services

• checking if a person is eligible for government-funded services and making a referral for an aged care assessment

• helping you appoint a representative for My Aged Care

• providing financial information about aged care services

• connecting you to local support services.

Older people, their family and/or a nominated representative can book a free face-to-face appointment with an ACSO at a Services Australia office or a via video chat (if they have a current MyGov account)

More information including downloadable resources can be found here

On the 12th of March 2024, the Department of Health and Aged Care released the Final Report of the Aged Care Taskforce.

This report examines the recommendations proposed by the Aged Care Taskforce to support an aged system that is sustainable, fair and facilitates greater innovation in the sector.

It provides information on:

• The need for change
• Aged Care Funding Principles
• Recommendations
  • Support older people to age in place
  • Equitable and sustainable funding
  • Quality, innovation and transparency

Some snippets of information is provided below however it is recommended that the full report be read to provide context and for further information.

The Aged Care Funding Principles listed

• Support older people to age in place
  • The aged care system should support older people to live at home for as long as they wish and can do so safely
• Equitable and sustainable funding
  • Aged care funding should be equitable, easy to understand and sustainable
  • Government is and will continue to be the major funder of aged care. Government funding should be focused on care costs as well as delivering services in thin markets. Personal co-contributions should be focused on accommodation and everyday living costs with a sufficient safety net.
  • The residential sector should have access to sufficient capital to develop and upgrade accommodation, including in rural and remote areas and First Nations communities.
• Quality, innovation and transparency
  • Aged care funding should be sufficient to deliver person-centred, quality care by a skilled workforce
  • Aged care funding should support innovation to improve aged care services and their relationships with the health and hospital systems
  • There should be transparency and accountability for how aged care funding is received and spent while minimising regulatory burden.

Recommendations

1. Underpin the Support at Home Program with inclusion and exclusion principles and clearly definted service lists
2. Continue the significant role for government funding of aged care services. A specific tax or levy to fund aged care is not recommended
3. It is appropriate older people make a fair co‑contribution to the cost of their aged care based on their means
4. Ensure a strong safety net for low means participants to meet aged care costs
5. Make aged care fees fairer, simpler and more transparent so people can understand the costs they will incur if they access aged care
6. Establish appropriate arrangements to allow older people and providers to smoothly transition to any new arrangements, including grandparenting arrangements for those already in residential aged care and phasing in for home care
7. Establish a fee-for-service model for Support at Home that ensures participants only pay a co‑contribution for services received
8. Introduce Support at Home participant co‑contributions that vary based on the type of service accessed
9. Continue to focus government funding in residential aged care on care costs, with a significant role for resident co-contributions in non-care components
10. Funding for daily living needs to cover the full cost of providing these services. It is recommended this be composed of the Basic Daily Fee and a supplement
11. Enable residents and their representative and providers to negotiate better or more daily living services for a higher fee, subject to at least:
    1. publishing prices and services
    2. only allowing agreement to higher fees for agreed services to be made after a participant has entered care
    3. a cooling off period and regular review opportunities to ensure the resident still wants the services and can still use them.
12. Following an independent review in 2030, transition the sector by 2035 to no longer accept RADs as a form of payment for aged care accommodation and move to a rental only model, provided that the independent review finds there is improved financial sustainability, diversified and adequate sources of capital to meet future demand and residential aged care is affordable for consumers
13. Require providers to retain a portion of the RAD in the near‑term to make an immediate improvement to sector financial sustainability. Base the amount on length of stay, with a cap on the number of years a RAD is subject to retention to protect residents who stay for a long time
14. Review the Accommodation Supplement, including improving incentives to meet the accommodation design principles.
15. In addition to the other accommodation recommendations, develop a package of measures to improve accommodation funding, equity between residents and transparency in the near-term. This will help place accommodation income on a long-term sustainable footing and position the sector for the ultimate phase out of RADs
16. Establish appropriate safeguards and incentives to protect access to residential care for supported residents
17. Consider the appropriateness of the current remoteness classification system
18. Continue block funding in thin markets where appropriate and necessary. Consider any other supports necessary to ensure access to care in under serviced markets
19. Consider ways to encourage providers to develop and scale innovative care models, invest in technology, and conduct research into best practices, including through:
    1. the recommendations outlined in this report to improve the viability of the aged care sector
    2. tasking the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission with supporting innovation by identifying innovative practices and promoting these across the sector.
20. Raise awareness of existing financial products that enable older people to utilise their wealth in retirement and provide confidence they can afford future aged care costs
21. Task the Behavioural Economics Team of the Australian Government (BETA) to provide advice on how to encourage people to consider their future aged care needs at an appropriate stage of life
22. Review and streamline financial reporting to government where possible to ensure reporting is genuinely enhancing transparency
23. Improve communications between the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) and providers and participants regarding its pricing advice and decisions, and task IHACPA with:
    1. a review of its pricing in rural and remote areas
    2. costing of the supplement for everyday living.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has provided an update on the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) 2024-25 extension.

The fact sheet can be read here. This fact sheet outlines what existing CHSP providers need to know about the CHSP 2024–25 Funding Extension Grant Opportunity and other program updates. Key points include:

• All providers will be issued with a variation to their current grant agreement for the CHSP 2024-25 extension. In January, CHSP providers should have received a letter from the Department outlining their organisation's proposed funding and outputs. The letter also scoped whether any variations to existing arrangements (funding, location, services, unit prices and exits) were required and sought providers' intent to continue delivering services in 2024-25. Only providers who requested changes through the January 2024 process or have MMM loading to be applied are eligible for consideration of changes and the Department will process these requests for the 2024-25 contract adjustments. It is anticipated that formal offers will be made from the end of April 2024. A visual timeframe is provided within the fact sheet.
• In 2024-25, CHSP providers will retain grant agreements similar to current arrangements. Fixed monthly payments in arrears return based on 1/12th of the toal value of the grant agreement, following the payment changes in 2023-24 for the Fair Work Commission processes. Monthly performance reporting will continue through the Data Exchange. Reporting will be due 10 usiness days after the end of the month. Nationally consistent unit price ranges with the exceptions of Assistance with Care and Housing (ACH) Hoarding and Squalor. and Goods, Equipment and Assistive Technology (GEAT) and Home Modifications. which are reported in dollars. There will be additional loading for service delivery in remote and very remote areas. Compliance activities that may result in certain grant agreements being reviewed and varied by reducing the amount of Commonwealth funding paid in 2024-25 to account for unexpected funds from previous years, to better reflect performance or to address local service needs.
• The 2024-25 extension is not an opportunity to request additional funds. Providers will not be allowed to roll over any unspent 2023-24 fundings into 2024-25. The Department is looking at growth funding opportunities for 2024-25 and further information will be available in the coming months. Providers who applied and were successful for the FWC CHSP Base Funding Grant will have these funds included in their CHSP grant agreement from 1 July 2024.
• From 1 July 2024, the CHSP National Unit Price Range will be indexed and adjusted accordingly. See the Table within the fact sheet for the National Unit Price Ranges. The unit price increases will automatically be applied to the CHSP 2024-25 proposed funding and outputs as outlined in the formal letter of offer to providers. In-scope CHSP providers will have their unit price range adjusted if they were successful in applying for the FWC CHSP Base Funding Grant. This FWC funding will be automatically applied to their CHSP base funding from 1 July 2024. Stage 3 of the Aged Care Work Value case is still being considered by the FWC. The outcome may impact CHSP providers during 2024-25. Further advice will be provided following the FWC decision. In the meantime, the National Unit Price Range does not reflect the impact of stage 2 of teh Aged Care Work Value case, and associated grant funding awarded to some CHSP providers. Unit prices will be reviewed once the Aged Care Work Value case is finalised, with a new National Unit Price Range expected to be in effect from 1 July 2025.
• The Department has been working with providers to fully understand the increased costs of service delivery in remote and very remote areas, compared to metropolitan, regional and rural areas. Since 1 July 2023. a loading of up to 40% was made available for providers delivering 50% of more services in remote and very remote areas (MMM 6 and 7). This loading will continue to be applied in the 2024-25 Extension for eligible organisations.
• The current pricing architecture for CHSP community transport does not take into consideration service location or the service delivery model. The Department is undertaking a pilot study for transport services between now and 30 June 2027. The core objective of the pilot is to develop and test a more accurate way of accounting for service delivery components, and their relationhip to costs, including consideration of the social captial elements and complexity. The pilot aims to develop. test and evaluate alternative evidence-based funding policies for CHSP transport. ahead of CHSP transitioning to the Support at Home Program no earlier than 1 July 2027. Click here for information on the Pilot.
• Specialised Support Services (SSS) have been worked with to ensure the services being delivered are aligned with the most appropriate service type. Clinical services are not provided under SSS. Older people requiring clinical services can have these supports delivered under the CHSP Nursing and/or Allied Health and Therapy service types or alternate programs funding by the Government or other means. If an organisation delivers clinical services under SSS they should contact their Funding Arrangement Manager to discuss their funding allocation under an alternative service type.
• Ongoing compliance activities are undertaken and examine service delivery and performance across all funded CHSP providers. Where providers have historical under-delivery, active monitoring will continue. This information will inform potential reductions of 2024-25 funding where significant under-delivery against the contracted outputs is not justified. We are in discussions with CHSP providers engaged in the compliance process about their 2024-25 funding.
• Flexibility provisions will continue in 2024-25. The flexibility provision applies across all CHSP service types and sub-programs, with the exception of SSD and ACH. Service providers that use flexibility provisions to establish funded service types in an Aged Care Planning Region (ACPR) must keep a minimum of a 50% footprint for the relevant service type in the ACPR. This ensures those services remain in the ACPR and align in part to the grant agreement. The Department will continue to monitor the flexibility provisions holistically across contracted services in 2024-25 to gauge compliance and will take into consideration unit price variance between service types delivered.
• If a provider plans to discontinue delivering CHSP services in 2024-25, they must notify their Funding Arrangement Manager and the department in writing of their proposal to transfer all or part of their services as soon as possible and include a draft Transition Out Plan. The proposed withdrawal date must be a minimum of 4 months from the date of the first draft Transition Out Plan. CHSP providers must negotiate with the department on a suitable transition date with the replacement organisation. Funding Arrangement Managers can provide a copy of the Transition Out Plan template.
• The CHSP Manual will be updated prior to 1 July 2024, and will include the updated unit prices as outlined in the fact sheet. There will be no significant changes in the CHSP Manual for 2024-25.

We’ve recently updated our CHSP Provider Online Hub to include recordings from our Community of Practice Sessions. Thank you to all those who have shared their experiences and connected with others throughout this process.

Our next Community of Practice session is on Thursday 18 April 2024 at 1.30 - 2.30pm QLD Time. Lea Readdy from Meals on Wheels Queensland will provide information for CHSP providers to consider when sub-contracting services or being contracted by HCP providers. Register here.

15 February 2024 - The Reforms and CHSP | The Queensland CHSP Sector Support and Development Network* spoke with Russell Herald, Assistant Secretary of the Home Support Operations Branch, Australian Department of Health and Aged Care. Russell responded to questions from CHSP Providers and discussed the Department of Health and Aged Care’s current view on CHSP, the Aged Care Reforms and Support at Home.

7 December 2023 - Person-Centred Care | COTA Queensland’s Sector Support and Development Team spoke with volunteer mentors Christine Jenkins and Celsie Mead. Christine and Celsie share their personal experiences of receiving home care support services and participating in co-design processes, providing valuable insights into what quality care looks like for an older person.

12 October 2023 - Provider Viability and Preparing for the Transition | COTA Queensland’s CHSP Sector Support and Development Team spoke with Donna Leigh, CEO at ECHO, Malanda. Donna spoke about the decisions she needed to make to keep the service viable, along with how they’re preparing for the reforms. Donna discussed challenges, thoughts behind the decisions she made, and how ECHO have positioned themselves to transition through the aged care reforms.

24 August 2023 - Growing Your Aged Care Workforce | The COTA Queensland Sector Support and Development Team spoke with Lisa Steele, a Regional Workforce Coordinator with Skills Hubs. Lisa provided information on the Growing Your Workforce trial. While the trial is coming to an end, Lisa shares recruitment and retention learnings from the trial which are relevant to providers now and into the future.

24 August 2023 - Looking for Opportunities in Rural Communities | COTA Queensland’s Sector Support and Development Team spoke with Margaret Lewis and Lee Cotter, Gemfields Community Support Organisation. Various topics were covered, including the involvement of university students and community services, as well as staff becoming allied health assistants.

15 June 2023 - Digital Transformation | COTA Queensland’s CHSP Sector Support team spoke with Peter Devine, General Manager at Byron Shire Respite Service. Peter shared his organisation’s digital transformation journey of change.

20 April 2023 - The Aged Care Workforce | COTA Queensland’s CHSP Sector Support and Development Team spoke with Ian Montague, Director of Skills Hubs. Ian provided insights into recruitment and retention for the aged care workforce, as well as discussing the Home Care Workforce Support Program.

16 February 2023 - Business Innovation and Growth | COTA Queensland’s Sector Support and Development Team spoke with Cheryl Dalton, CEO of South Burnett Care. Cheryl spoke about business innovation and sustainability, approaching this from the head and the heart in growing her organisation.

20 October 2022 - Aged Care Reform - Our journey so far | COTA Queensland’s Sector Support and Development Team spoke with Melissa Bannerman, Chief Operations Officer with STAR Community Services about their journey moving through the many years of aged care reform and the catalyst for change.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission invites your feedback on their draft guidance resources for providers and workers on the new strengthened Quality Standards. Feedback closes 30 April 2024.

We encourage you to view these documents so that you can provide feedback, but also so you can start preparing for the new Quality Standards.

The Commission are consulting on their draft guidance resources to help providers, aged care workers and other stakeholders to understand the new strengthened Quality Standards and their roles and responsibilities in meeting them. Further draft resources will be available shortly that are specifically for older people receiving care and their representatives.

Along with the new Aged Care Act, the strengthened Quality Standards are expected to be introduced from 1 July 2024.

The Commission welcomes responses from providers, aged care workers, older people and their representatives, and other stakeholders. Your responses will help them to produce resources that are fit-for-purpose, easy-to-understand and support the delivery of quality, person-centred aged care.

They are particularly interested to hear about any information you think is missing or that needs further explanation. The draft resources aim to provide the information a provider needs to meet the Quality Standards while providing safe, quality aged care. If this is not the case, let them know what improvements they can make.

Before submitting your feedback, please download and read the:

• Draft guidance for providers:
  • Introduction | This introduction provides an overview of the guidance documentation supporting the strengthened Quality Standards.
  • Standard 1 - The Person | Outlines the way that providers and workers are expected to treat older people.
  • Standard 2 - The Organisation | Sets out the expectations of the governing body to meet the requirements of the strengthened Quality Standards
  • Standard 3 - The Care and Services | Describes the way providers must deliver care and services for all types of services being delivered
  • Standard 4 - The Environment | Ensures that older people receive care and services in a physical environment that is safe, supportive and meets their needs.
  • Standard 5 - Clinical Care | Supports providers to improve the quality and safety of clinical care delivered through Commonwealth subsidised aged care services.
  • Standard 6 - Food and Nutrition | Supports providers in delivering food services in line with the needs, goals and preferences of older people.
  • Standard 7 - The Residential Community | Ensures older people feel safe and at home in the residential community, have opportunities and are supported to maintain connections.

• Draft audit methodology - Provides insight into the guidance and framework used to assess provider performance against the strengthened Quality Standards.
• Draft evidence framework - Gives insight into the evidence gathering processes, by providing a standardised set of targeted questions and examples of evidence.
• Draft guidance for aged care workers - Supports workers in the delivery or person-centred quality care and outcomes. It also aims to promote best practice in service provision.
• Draft pre-audit preparation tool - Supports providers to prepare for upcoming audits or can be used as a plan for continuous improvement. It was suggested at a recent webinar that providers use this tool if they are currently auditing their service.
• Draft request for Information template - category 4 & 5 - Gives insight into the information, documents and records that will be requested from a Category 4 and 5 provider prior and during an audit against the strengthened Quality Standard.
• Draft request for Information template - category 6 - Ensures older people feel safe and at home in the residential community, have opportunities and are supported to maintain connections.
• Glossary - supports the draft strengthened Quality Standards Guidance documentation by explaining key terms.
• Framework analysis (Provided for information, not for review) - The purpose of this document is to show providers how the Quality Standards have been strengthened. This analysis is current as at 10 January 2024 and based on the draft strengthened Quality Standards as at 14 December 2023.

Submit feedack via the survey.

Further information:

• The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards – Final draft
• Stronger Standards, Better Aged Care

The Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program transitioned from a KPMG page to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website on 1 January 2024. All Program learning activities and resources can now be accessed on the Commission’s website.

The Program is now open to anyone in the sector wanting to strengthen their corporate and clinical governance capabilities and enact critical reforms. Previously the page was password protected, resulting in some resources and webinars being difficult to access or share. Moving the webpage to the Commission has opened up access to all.

The Governing for Reform in Aged Care Program supports governing body members, leaders and emerging leaders to strengthen corporate and clinical governance capabilities and enact critical reform. The New Aged Care Act is enhancing governance and board requirements. It is essential that CHSP providers keep up to date with governance aspects of the reform,especially as 2027 will be your first time coming under the Act.

The Program has a schedule of events and activities, as well as learning resources.

Access the website here and subscribe to the Program's mailing list here.

New Aged Care Act

The Australian Government is developing a new Aged Care Act to strengthen Australia's aged care system. The new Act aims to ensure that people who access aged care services funded by the Australian Government are treated with respect and have the quality of life they deserve. Anyone with an interest in aged care can provide their feedback and help shape the Bill before it is introduced to Parliament in 2024. The exposure draft includes the parts of the Bill that incorporate the most significant changes proposed to the aged care system. The Government wants feedback on these changes as a priority before they finalise the Bill.

Opportunities to be involved in the consultation

• Consultation on the new Aged Act - Closes 8 March 2024
• Complete the feedback survey. A survey phone line will soon be available.
• Attend the Aged Care Act Webinar - Thursday 18 January 2024
• Written submissions by email or post are due no later than 6pm QLD time on Friday 16 February 2024
• Upcoming Consultation Workshops - Consultation workshops are being held in capital cities and some regional centres across Australia to discuss the draft new Aged Care Act and hear your feedback. Online drop-in sessions will also be available
  • Brisbane - 19 January
  • Cairns - 29 January + 30 January
  • Mackay - 31 January
  • Gold Coast - 9 February
  • Toowoomba - 13 Febrauary
  • Logan - 14 February

Consultation Papers / Diagrams

• Exposure draft - Aged Care Bill 2023 - This is an exposure draft of the Bill for the new Aged Care Act that is the focus of the current public consultation.
• A new Aged Care Act: exposure draft - Consultation paper no. 2 - The detailed paper guides the current public consultation on the draft new Aged Care Act
• A new Aged Care Act: exposure draft - Consultation paper no. 2 summary - Plain English Version -This paper is a plain English summary of the detailed consultation paper which guides the current public consultation on the draft new Aged Care Act
• The new Aged Care Act - What's new? What's different? - This diagram outlines what is new and what is different in the draft new Aged Care Act
• Aged care system governance under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines the system governance functions to be included in the new aged care system under the draft new Aged Care Act
• Making a nominee arrangement under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines the steps to make a nominee arrangement under the draft Aged Care Act
• Who will be able to access aged care under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines who will be able to access Commonwealth-funded aged care and the common process to access care under the draft new Aged Care Act
• A stronger aged care regulator under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines the functions and powers of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission under the current legislation and under the draft new Aged Care Act
• Phases of aged care reform - This diagram outlines the phases of aged care reform from 2022 to 2026
• A rights-based approach under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines the key points that place the person and their rights at the centre of the draft new Aged Care Act
• Upholding the rights of older people under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines how the rights of older people can be upheld under the draft new Aged Care Act
• Aged care services model under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram shows the links between service types and other aspects of the aged care services model under the draft new Aged Care Act
• Whistleblower protections under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines the requirements for whistleblowers to make a qualifying disclosure, under the draft new Aged Care Act

Resources

• A new Aged Care Act - Frequently asked questions - This document answers frequently asked questions about the draft new Aged Care Act
• A new Aged Care Act: The foundations - Consultation summary report - This report summarises the feedback received from the new Aged Care Act foundations consultation held in August and September 2023
• New Aged Care Act and Support at Home Program Update - This webinar provided updates on the development of the new Aged Care Act, a new model for regulating aged care, the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, and in-home aged care reforms, including the new Support at Home Program
• Ask questions of the Government via email

Department of Health and Aged Care Updates - Late December 2023

The Department held a webinar on the New Aged Care Act and Support at Home Update on 14 December 2023. It is recommended that all CHSP Providers watch the recording and view the slide deck as it provided important information on:

• current consultations
• the Aged Care Act Exposure Draft
• the New Regulatory Framework
• Strengthened Quality Standards
• the Support at Home Overview and Staging

Here are some points that the team took away from the webinar:

• New Aged Care Act consultation - closes 16 February 2024. It is important to provide feedback on the Act as this informs the Support at Home program and its implementation. When CHSP transitions to Support at Home in 2027, this will be the first time that CHSP Providers come under the Act.
• New Regulatory Framework - Consultation Paper 2 outlined 6 categories, containing the service list. These categories have changed since the release of Consultation Paper 2, and may impact on whether your services come under the quality standards or only the Code of Conduct.
• The Strengthened Quality Standards final draft has now been been published. Each of the 7 standards includes: an expectation statement for older people; the intent of each standard; outcomes that providers would be assessed against; and actions - which are how providers might demonstrate achievement of the outcome. Between January and June 2024, guidance and education activities to assist with implementation will be released.
• Timing
  • July 2024 - Single assessment system commences
  • July 2025
    • Support at Home replaces Home Care Packages and Short Term Restorative Care
      • New funding model
      • New Assistive Technology & Home Modifications (ATHM) Scheme
    • CHSP
      • Continued grants
      • Review settings for alignment where possible
      • Pricing indexation for the 2024-2025 year
  • No earlier than July 2027
    • CHSP Transitions into Support at Home
    • Single program
    • Participants can choose to have a single provider or access services from multiple providers
    • Same funding model across all providers
    • Single ATHM program
• Pooled funds is being explored
• They are no longer proposing a flexible pool of funds for when participants need additional services. Instead they are now proposing that people can retain unspend funds of up to $1,000 for unexpected expenditure
• There will be price caps for each service
• Reassessment is needed when the participant needs change significantly
• Thin market grants
  • Proposed grant model
    • competitive process to apply for grant
    • 3-5 year terms
    • Flexible use with minimal reporting
    • Ad hoc grants also available
  • Draft eligibility criteria to apply for grant
    • Fewer than 500 clients across registered site or
    • Deliver in MMM 3-7 or
    • Deliver services to CALD communities or
    • Deliver to First Nations communities or
    • Deliver specialised services to other cohorts (LGBTIQ, Forgotten Australians, homeless, veterans, socially disadvantaged).
  • Draft assessment criteria
    • Costs exceed revenue that could be generated through fee-for-service prices
    • Organisational expertise
    • Contribution to the community
• Questions and Answers
  • Seeking feedback on timeframes/phasing - eg Quality standards
  • Sole traders - register for particular services - proportionate application of standards. Expect post 2027.
  • Existing HCP - continue as is, just get quarterly payments from 2025.
  • CHSP providers will be deemed into the new model

ITC Toolkit - A Practical Guide to Implementing a home care Client Management System (CMS)

Yesterday at the In Home Support - From the Head to the Heart Conference, the CHSP Sector Support and Development teams from Warrnambool City Council, Bayside City Council, West Gippsland Healthcare Group and Grampians Region launched the ITC Toolkit - A Practical Guide to Implementing a home care Client Management System. They engaged Enkindle Consulting to develop a toolkit that will be an important resource to enable CHSP providers to better understand each step of the CMS selection and implementation process, helping to avoid common pitfalls when purchasing and setting up a new CMS.

The COTA Queensland CHSP Sector Support and Development Team hear weekly from CHSP Providers the challenges associated with selecting a Client Management System. This Toolkit will help your organisation move through the process. It includes:

• ITC Toolkit: A Practical Guide to Implementing a Home Care
• Customer Journey Map Template
• Detailed Systems Requirements Tool (xls)
• Request for Proposal Template
• Request for Proposal Vendor Response Template
• Business Case Template
• Project Governance Kit

Click here to access the Toolkit.

Five resources that may be of interest to CHSP Providers - 23 November 2023.

* Report: Duty of care: Aged-care sector running on empty - This is the third report in CEDA’s series on the workforce challenge facing Australia’s aged-care sector. This report outlines the causes and flow-on effects of the worker shortage, in particular low wages, a lack of affordable housing and the impact on the healthcare system.

* Caring for older people in warmer weather – Home Care and CHSP - This Department of Health and Aged Care checklist is for home care and Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers. It has what to do before and during a heatwave.

* Progress Report: Implementation of the Recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety - The Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care prepared this preliminary assessment of the progress the Australian Government has made in implementing the changes recommended by the royal commission.

* Inclusive Engagement: Information about inclusion and engagement of particularly vulnerable or marginalised groups of our community - This toolkit was developed to support the inclusion and engagement of particularly vulnerable or marginalised groups of our community. Engagement is about communicating and interacting with people and involving them in planning and decision making.

Yesterday at the In Home Support - From the Head to the Heart Conference, Nick Morgan from the Department of Health and Aged Care announced changes to the dates for CHSP's transition to Support at Home. The CHSP transition will occur no earlier than July 2027.

Today the Hon Anika Wells MP released a media release advising - Support at Home to be rolled out in two stages. From 1 July 2025, Support at Home will replace the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) Program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) Programme. The Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), which provides lower levels of support to older people to help them remain at home, will transition to the new program no earlier than 1 July 2027.

In the Conference yesterday, Nick Morgan advised of the following:

• July 2024 - Single assessment workforce commences
• July 2025 - Support at Home commences with Home Care Packages and Short Term Restorative Care
• No earlier than July 2027 - CHSP joins Support at Home

Staging implications:

• July 2025
  • HCP / STRC transitions to Support at Home
  • Single provider
  • New funding model
  • New ATHM scheme (ATHM = Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme)
  • CHSP
    • Continue Grants
    • Review settings for alignment where possible
• No earlier than July 2027
  • CHSP / HCP / STRC
  • Single program
  • Multiple providers
  • Funding model across all providers
  • Single ATHM program

What this means for CHSP Providers

• 2024-2025 - One year grant agreement currently being finalised
• 2025-2026, 2026-2027 - Two year grant agreement

Preparing for transition after July 2027

• New payment system operational ahead of transition
• Prices tested with Support at Home Providers
• Consumer contribution arrangements tested in Support at Home
• New Act and regulatory framework bedded down
• Thin market arrangements tested in Support at Home
• Time to refine and test changes (like transport pricing)

Areas the Department has been consulting on

• Care Management access for older people, proposed scope, how it would be funded, and information sharing agreements
• Pooled funding for older people in group settings to pool funds for shared services - eg onsite nurse, mini-bus service, social support
• End-of-life care pathway to support older people who have been diagnosed with less than three months to live to remain in their own home

COTA Queensland's Sector Support and Development Team will be monitoring these changes and considering how best to support the sector over the coming years. We encourage you to attend the Department of Health and Aged Care's Webinar on 14 December 2023 where these changes will be discussed.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has developed a new factsheet to assist local government and councils understand the aged care wage increase.

It is available here.

It includes information on:

• how to implement the Fair Work Commission’s 15 per cent wage increase for workers
• how the government funding applies across the different aged care programs.

Read more about Better and Fairer Wages.

Earlier this year, the Department of Health and Aged Care advised that they were undertaking their third and final CHSP data migration exercise to capture all eligible clients who do not have an active client record in My Aged Care and are receiving services. They asked CHSP providers to submit client data by 26 May 2023 so that they could transfer them into My Aged Care.

We're aware that some CHSP Providers did not complete this task, and still have grandfathered clients. I asked a Government representative recently whether there's an opportunity for Providers who did not complete this task to submit a late application - the response was no.

The response received from the Department of Health and Aged Care regarding the grandfathering of CHSP clients is as follows. Please ensure that you support Grandfathered clients to go through the My Aged Care process and be assessed so that they are able to continue accessing services and you can continue to be paid for providing services.

DoHA

As CHSP has been around since 2015 any clients that do not have a My Aged Care record in 2023 and are receiving CHSP services must have a re-assessment of their needs at which point a My Aged Care record will be created for the client.

With the new Support at Home program providers will not be able to claim for the services delivered under the new program to clients without a My Aged Care record.

As service providers are required to report service delivery at the client and service type level in the Data Exchange to inform the performance management of service providers against the key performance indicators in their CHSP Grant Agreements, providers should be:
• Referring any clients without a My Aged Care record for reassessment
• Reporting all service delivery on DEX

COTA Queensland

Thank you.

To confirm - there’s no opportunity for Providers who missed the 26 May deadline to provide the information to DoHA. These people are no longer considered grandfathered and to continue receiving CHSP services they need to be reassessed.

Is that correct?

DoHA

This is correct. All clients now receiving services should be registered on My Aged Care – there will be no further opportunity to provide the information.

New standards for data collection and reporting

The Department of Health and Ageing has provided early notice of the data standards that will apply from July 2024.

A new set of data standards, Aged Care National Minimum Data Set (NMDS) are available to software vendors, developers and providers. The NMDS is a core set of standardised data elements for the collection and reporting of aged care data. New data standards for aged care will be progressively released as part of the NMDS each year.

Releasing the NMDS gives software vendors and providers early notice of the data standards that will apply from July 2024. There is no immediate action needed other than being aware of what is coming. When you are reviewing your systems, forms or policies that relate to the capture of data or intake, keep this information in mind as you will need to capture the new minimum data set from July 4. You may also wish to ask your current/future software platform provider if and when they will be updating the minimum data set.

Having standards across our aged care data systems will give older people, care providers and services, government and researchers the data they need to make informed decisions and choices.

For more information visit the Aged Care National Minimum Data Set 2023-24 through METEOR and the Data Improvements page through GEN Aged Care Data.

New video series: introduction to Aged Care

The Department of Health and Aged Care has released a new Introduction to Aged Care video series. The videos are designed to help attract workers to the sector and support staff induction.

Each video includes a facilitation guide and topics include:

• getting a job in aged care
• infection control
• scope of practice.

The videos feature First Nations staff working in aged care with their local communities and can be used for any culturally and linguistically diverse people. Rural, remote, and First Nations providers will find the video series very useful to introduce or reinforce knowledge of the aged care system.

View the Introduction to aged care – videos and facilitator guides on their website. The videos are also available on YouTube: Introduction to Aged Care.

The Department of Health and Aged Care held an Aged care wage increase webinar on 15 June.

Click here for the webinar slides. This includes information for CHSP Providers, Home Care Package Providers, and Residential Aged Care Providers.

The Webinar recording will be available here before the end of June.

Minister Wells has written a letter and fact sheet t to providers (including home care) with information on the aged care worker wages - Guidance.

We understand that this wage increase may be confusing for many, so please keep an eye out for additional information and resources.

The email address to contact the Government regarding Aged Care Wages is AgedCareWages@health.gov.au

Queensland's Home Care Workforce Support Program will be holding a Fair Work Commission Minimum Wage Increase - An update on what this means for aged care providers session online on 28 June. Register here.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has developed a new definition of Specialised Support Services (SSS) for CHSP.

The new definition comes into effect on 1 July 2023.

Read the new definition here.

The document outlines:

• The new SSS definition
• Advisory and support services (previously known as client advocacy)
• The care finder program
• Reporting responsibilities
• Client scenarios

Any enquiries can be emailed to homesupportpolicy@health.gov.au

The Government has recently provided additional information on the Aged Care Reforms.

• Reform updates: Anika Wells, Minister for Aged Care and Minister for Sport, spoke at the National Press Club on Wednesday 7 June to outline what’s been done to address the Royal Commission recommendations so far and provided a roadmap for the future of reform. While workforce shortages continue to be a challenge, Minister Wells explained her ambition and commitment to making changes that deliver safety, dignity and quality for every older person across the aged care system. Read or watch Minister Wells’ address.

• Aged Care Reform Roadmap has been released. The Australian Government has released the Aged Care Reform Roadmap to provide an indicative timeline for key aged care reform elements. This will help the sector understand what’s coming, get involved and prepare for the changes ahead to improve aged care for older people. Dates are subject to change and will be reviewed and updated regularly. The roadmap includes major reform elements, sector consultation activities, events and links to more information. (Dates relevant to CHSP Providers have been added to the Key Dates document on the bottom right-hand corner of the COTA Queensland's CHSP Provider Online Hub's home page).

• Webinar - 15 June: Aged care wage increase - The webinar will cover: funding arrangements for residential aged care, Home Care Packages Program and Commonwealth Home Support Programme, guidance material for providers for passing on wages, accountability and transparency. Register here.

• Government Provider Management System: New reporting apps coming soon - Home Care providers will gain access to the Government Provider Management System (GPMS) in July 2023. Information about the Government Provider Management System is here.

• Consultation on the new model for regulating aged care closes on 23 June. See information here.

• Quarterly Financial Snapshot of the aged care sector: Q2, 2022-23. Download a copy of the report here.

• Decommissioning of the My Aged Care fax number: The Fax number (1800 728 174) is being decommissioned on 31 July 2023. Please make a referral through the remaining channels.

• Release of the Nurse Practitioner Workforce Plan and Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placements Program: Learn more about the plan here and about the Aged Care Nursing Clinical Placements Program here.

• Webinar: Greater transparency about aged care providers and services - new reporting requirements. Webinar: 30 June 2023. This webinar is relevant to CHSP Providers.

Read further details about the above updates at the Printer-friendly version of the newsletter here.

A fellow Queensland-based CHSP Sector Support and Development provider Anglicare Southern Queensland has developed an Inclusive Engagement Toolkit to support CHSP Providers.

The toolkit has been developed to support the inclusion and engagement of particularly vulnerable or marginalised groups of our community. The toolkit provides information on:

• Inclusive Care
• Inclusive Communication
• Inclusive Leadership
• Connecting during the time of social distancing
• Working with Interpreters

It contains:

• Factsheets for working with people from LGBTQIA+, CALD, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Communities and Diverse Older People
• Toolkits in various languages
• Videos

The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards have been updated

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has recently released an updated draft of the strengthened Quality Standards. This version reflects insights and feedback received during consultation in October and November 2022. This Draft is for the Pilot - March 2023 onwards.

• Standard 1: The Person
• Standard 2: The Organisation
• Standard 3: The Care and Services
• Standard 4: The Environment
• Standard 5: Clinical Care
• Standard 6: Food and Nutrition
• Standard 7: The Residential Community

A Consultation Summary Report has also been released with details on how we sought views on the Standards and what we heard. Consultation included more than 900 people across 18 focus groups; 1069 webinar attendees; 873 survey responses and 119 submissions. Some main points:

• 24% of feedback came from Queensland
• 55% of people thought that the strengthened Quality Standards are an improvement on the current Quality Standards
• There were some opposing views on the application of the Quality Standards and the Level of prescription
• Based on the feedback the Assistant Commission will develop, implement and lead a sector education and capability uplift campaign; focus initially on corporate governance, clinical governance to improve sector leadership and capability, and drive cultural change to transition providers from minimal compliance to continuous improvement and excellence
• Next steps - Undertake a pilot to test the practical application and audit of the Quality Standards

The strengthened Standards are now being tested through a pilot program conducted by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. The pilot will test how the Standards work in practice and involves a sample of 40 providers representing diverse service types, sizes, locations and people receiving aged care. The pilor commenced in April with 5 providers and an additional 35 providers have been selected in May.

Read the latest news on the department’s Review of the Aged Care Quality Standards webpage.

In May, the Australian Government released the Budget, and the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHA) held a Reforming in-home aged care update webinar and a New Model for Regulating Aged Care webinar.

• Click here for access to the webinar (the webinar recording will likely be added 25 May 2023).
• Click here to access the presentation slides for the New Model for Regulating Aged Care webinar (9 May 2023)

Here's some key points from the recent releases for CHSP and HCP Providers (as we understand it). Thank you to Enkindle for providing us with a summary of the following information.

• Fair Work Commission ruling
  • The Government is funding the Fair Work Commission's interim decision for a 15% pay increase from 1 July 2023.
    • For CHSP Providers, DoHA will make a six-month payment of grant funding in July, rather than payment in arrears. Payment for the pay increase will occur later in the year - more information to come.
    • For HCP Providers, the HCP subsidy will increase to pay for the increase. There will be a grant opportunity for HCP Providers with high-wage components (HCP 3s and 4s). You will still need to negotiate with HCP clients to increase rates to reflect the changes.
    • This may differ for providers who already pay above the award
• New Worker Registration Scheme
  • 1 July 2024 - Worker screening and registration commences
  • 1 July 2025 - Proposed commencement date for English proficiency and ongoing training requirements
• Assessment
  • The new Single Assessment Service, including the new assessment tool, will commence from 1 July 2024 and will be adapted to support the new In-Home Care Program on 1 July 2025.
  • Indigenous Assessment Organisations will be able to apply via an open tender.
• Support at Home / In-Home Care Program
  • Will commence 1 July 2025 (previously due to commence 1 July 2024)
• Aged Care Taskforce
  • A new Aged Care Taskforce will be established to review aged care funding arrangements and develop options to make the system fair and equitable for all Australians
• Pricing Study
  • IHACPA will conduct a pricing study in 2023-24 to determine fair and efficient prices for in-home aged care
• Assistive Technology Loans Trial
  • In 2023-24 there will be a trial for an assistive technology loans program in association with the States and Territories
• Home Care Packages
  • In 2023-24 there will be an additional 9,500 HCPs - 8,500 Level 3 and 1,000 Level 4 Packages
• Quality Indicators
  • In 2023-24 there is a potential pilot and rollout of the expansion of Quality Indicators in Home Care
• New Aged Care Act
  • A new Aged Care Act is being developed in a staged approach to coincide with the commencement of the Support at Home reforms. The initial first stage of the new Act will be implemented from 1 July 2024 and second stage amendments to the new Act to implement the new In-Home Aged Care will commence from 1 July 2025.
• New Regulatory Framework for Aged Care
  • Consultation is currently open, closing 23 June 2023. The new regulatory framework will commence from 1 July 2024.
• New Quality Standards
  • Transition to the new quality standards will commence from 1 July 2024.
• Supporting Health, Care and Support services in thin markets
  • There will be $27.1 million available over 4 years to undertake a trial of join commissioning across primary health, disability, aged care and veterans' care services in up to 10 locations where the care and support supply gap shortages and other areas where access to culturally appropriate services can be improved for First Nations Communities. This measure builds upon the trials that have commenced in Longreach, the Kimberley, and South-East NSW, will planning underway for a fourth site in Gippsland.
• Aged Care Viability Support Programs
  • For HCP Providers, there will be an extension to the Business Advisory Services Program and the Workforce Advisory Services Program
  • For CHSP Providers - further information to come. However, COTA Queensland's CHSP Sector Support and Development's contract has been extended to 30 June 2024.
• Supporting First Nations Elders in Aged Care
  • Initiatives to provide culturally safe aged care services include:
    • establishing an interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner
    • increasing accountability by including the NATSIFAC program in the new Aged Care Act
    • aligning the NATSIFAC Program with the national price under the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) in very remote areas
    • providing intensive targeted support to 10 Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community-controlled organisations to build their capacity and capability to deliver aged care services to First Nations Elders
    • embedding cultural safety and trauma aware healing informed care in the delivery of all aged care services to increase access and the quality of services.
• Aged Care Regulation Design
  • The proposed Aged Care Regulation Design is outlined in the links above. We encourage you to view these documents and provide feedback.
  • It outlines proposals on who can provide services, the service types, registration, the regulatory framework, provider obligations and oversight of the programs.

Contact COTA Queensland's Sector Support and Development Team if you would like to discuss further - CHSPSectorSupport@cotaqld.org.au.

The Department of Health and Ageing has released Consultation Paper 2 - A new model for regulating aged care. This second consultation paper outlines the details of the proposed approach to regulating aged care.

Viewing this Paper is important for a few reasons:

• You have the opportunity to provide feedback on the government's approach and model before it gets finalised - consultation closes 23 June 2023.
• It will help to inform you of what is proposed, so you can start working towards it (note: it is a proposed and not a final model)
• It may help you to identify which Service Types you may wish to register for, and their governance and workforce needs

The consultation, closing 23 June, is for Older people, carers and families, Aged care workers, ​Providers (i.e service administrators, owners), Aged care experts and peak organisations. You can complete a short 15 minute survey, or a 2+ hour detailed survey.

The key contact for this consultation is Assistant Secretary Caroline Turnour, agedcareregmodel@health.gov.au

Information provided by the Department

The department is seeking feedback from all interested stakeholders on A new model for regulating Aged Care, Consultation Paper No.2: Details of the proposed new model by 5pm AEST, 23 June 2023.

The department is developing the new model in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety findings.

The new model proposes changes to the way aged care is delivered to improve the quality of care for older people and prevent, detect and correct poor provider performance.

We invite you to have your say.

Visit the Aged Care Engagement Hub – regulatory model page to read the consultation paper and share your feedback.

The department hosted a webinar on 9 May 2023 at 2-3pm AEST with a live Q&A session to discuss the model and answer your questions. Webinar slides are available here.

You can also register your interest in participating in workshops on the design of the new model, planned to be held in June 2023.

COTA Queensland encourages CHSP Providers to attend the Community of Practice on April 20 as it will provide information on increasing the aged care workforce. Register here.

Workforce initiatives that may be of interest (note, this is not an exhaustive list):

• Home Care Workforce Support Program: Skills Hub and Home Care Workforce Sector Hub - Opportunities for networking, capacity building and resources for CHSP and HCP Providers, Find 13,000 home care workers across Australia - HCP.
• Queensland Health and Community Services Workforce Development project funding
• Aged Care Workforce Remote Accord
• Aged Care Workforce Industry Council - includes Workforce Narrative, Workforce Planning Tool, Future Structure of the Aged Care Workforce
• Flinders University - Aged Care Centre for Growth & Translational Research - includes workforce capability through 600 internships, grants up to $200,000, knowledge and implementation hub
• Rural LAP - Expansion to focus on the Aged Care workforce in rural and remote Australia - 21 professions, including care workers, MMM4-7 Approved Provider (HCP, HCAF, NATSIFACP, MPS), MMM 6-7 CHSP, Placement between 14 and 90 days)

If you are aware of other initiatives for growing the workforce, please email them to CHSPSectorSupport@cotaqld.org.au

Serious Incident Reporting Scheme (SIRS) - All home care providers (including CHSP Providers) needed to have implemented SIRS on 1 December 2022. Please ensure that you are complying with this requirement. Guidance documents are available here.

Code of Conduct - Staff within RACFs and HCP Providers need to abide by the new Code of Conduct. CHSP Providers are exempt at the moment, though we encourage you to view these documents when you review your procedures, policies and recruitment processes. This will likely be a requirement of staff to abide by when Support at Home Commences on 1 July 2024. View the Code of Conduct documentation here. You can currently register for ALIS courses at no cost - the Code of Conduct Course is available here.

Aged Care Register of Banning Orders - click here for information and to see the Banning Orders table in force

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has a range of tools and powers to deal with behaviour that is inconsistent with the Code of Conduct for Aged Care (the Code), and to respond to providers who fail to take reasonable steps to ensure their workers and governing persons comply with the Code.

A banning order is a form of enforcement action which prohibits or restricts a person from engaging in, providing or being involved in the provision of aged care. This order may ban a person permanently or for a specified period.

Banning orders are considered the Commission’s most serious enforcement action in relation to individuals and will therefore only be appropriate for the most serious cases of poor conduct of an individual or when an individual is not suitable to be involved or engaged in aged care.

We encourage you to cross-reference against the Banning Orders table in force when conducting recruitment.

The Fair Work Ombudsman advised on 24 March 2023 that there is a 15% wage increase for the aged care sector.

Note, additional information will be circulated as it becomes available.

In an email from the Fair Work Ombudsman, the following was outlined.

Direct care and some senior food services employees in the aged care sector will receive a 15% award minimum wage increase from 30 June 2023.

The Fair Work Commission has made a decision increasing minimum wages by 15% for some employees working in aged care. It takes effect from the start of the employee’s first full pay period commencing on or after 30 June 2023.

This increase applies to eligible employees covered by the:
• Aged Care Award
• Social, Community, Home Care and Disability Services Industry (SCHADS) Award
• Nurses Award.

The increase applies to these employees working in aged care:
• direct care employees
• some senior food services employee (levels 4-7 in the Aged Care Award).

Find detailed information about the increase at 15% wage increase for aged care sector.

Their Pay and Conditions Tool will be updated closer to when the increase takes effect. If you’re an email subscriber, we’ll let you know when our tool has been updated with the new rates.

Subscribe to their email updates here.

The Equip Aged Care Learning Packages are now available for anyone interested in the aged care sector, including personal care workers, nurses, allied health professionals, volunteers and families.

Entry-level modules for those new to the sector and refresher-level content for those familiar with aged care will cover a range of aged care-related topics.

Benefits of Equip Learning

• FREE – all modules are completely free
• Learn when it suits you. Modules can be accessed at any time
• Each module only takes around 10 minutes to complete
• Accessible on a phone, tablet, or computer

Each learning module highlights key concepts on contemporary aged care topics and encourages participants to continue their learning by providing additional resources. A free, downloadable certificate of completion is available for each module. On completion of all modules in the introductory or refresher learning package, an additional certificate is available that details learning and CPD hours.

The Department of Health and Aged Care's Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) Ad hoc Proposals Extension - GP5672 closes 30 April 2023.

The grant closes 30 April 2024.

Click here for grant details. Register on Grant Connect to receive access to all of the relevant documents. Please review even if you have looked at this grant previously as what they will cover has changed.

Proposals must include a minimum of one of these:

• Respond to unforeseen and exceptional circumstances
• Address demonstrated service demand pressures and supply shortages
• Deliver service sector improvement or new and innovative home-support delivery models

As outlined in the updated Frequently Asked Question document:

• CHSP Transport Providers and CHSP providers whose Transport costs are more than 5 per cent of their CHSP annual grant funding can apply for additional one-off funding under this Grant Opportunity (GO5672). This recognises that transport costs have recently risen significantly due to fuel price increases and other external events. As unforeseen costs associated with the CHSP service delivery, these applications are in scope under GO5672, and the usual minimum limit of $10,000.00 (GST exclusive) does not apply to fuel GO5672 CHSP Ad hoc Proposals Extension GOG cost applications. Additional details on how to apply are available in the ‘CHSP Assistance with Increased Fuel Costs for CHSP Transport Providers and Associated Transport Costs Provider Fact sheet.’ One-off payments equivalent to 30 cents per litre will be made to eligible providers. The funding is available only to providers who have fully utilised their underspends, and, where applicable, have fully utilised the flexibility provisions. The additional one-off funding is available for July 2022 to July 2023 period inclusive. Sub-contractors cannot apply directly. Sub-contractors must contact their funded organisation for details of assistance that may be available to them. All applications must be submitted by the funded organisation in the CHSP Funding Agreement.

• SCHADS award financial supplementation for eligible providers. CHSP grant agreements were indexed by 1.5 per cent in 2022-23. The Fair Work Commission has since increased the minimum wage for modern awards and the national minimum wage, including the SCHADS Award. The department is aware that this is placing pressure on the financial capacity of CHSP providers, with some service types impacted more than others. Providers who do not have sufficient unspent funds to maintain existing service delivery levels in 2021-22 are able to apply for additional one-off financial supplementation under existing CHSP emergency provisions. The department will consider applications up to 3.5 per cent of the base value of the contract. CHSP providers can apply for one off ad-hoc emergency funding under GO5672 or to rollover additional unspent funds only after the 2021-22 Financial Declaration is completed.

Contact the Government's CHSP Team for more information - CHSPprogram@health.gov.au

The Department of Health and Aged Care has released the CHSP Provider 2023-2024 extension fact sheet

This fact sheet outlines what providers need to know about the 2023-24 Extension and associated program changes. The Government announced in the October Budget that the Commonwealth Home Support Programme has been extended until 30 June 2024.

This fact sheet covers:

• Similarities to 2022-23 arrangements
• Adjustments to CHSP National Unit Price Range
• Fair Work Commission decision - Aged Care Work Value Case
• CHSP National Unit Price Ranges 2023-24
• Loading for remote and very remote areas
• Historical grant agreement variations
• Variation process for early payments
• CHSP compliance activity
• Specialised Support Services Review
• Serious Incident Response Scheme
• The CHSP Manual
• Flexibility provisions

Please make contact with COTA Queensland's Sector Support and Development Team for further information if required - CHSPSectorSupport@cotaqld.org.au

On 1 December 2022, the Serious Incident Response Scheme was extended from residential aged care to CHSP, HCP and other providers that deliver aged care services in a home or community setting.

Click here to access information on:

• Guidelines for home services providers
• Who does the SIRS apply to?
• What is a reportable incident?
• How do I report an incident?
• Resources for SIRS home services
• Frequently asked questions

The SIRS decision support tool can be accessed here and helps providers to quickly and easily determine the difference between Priority 1 and Priority 2 reportable incidents. The tool asks you a series of simple questions about an incident to help you decide whether it must be reported to the Commission.

Other useful links:

• SIRS guidelines for home service providers (includes CHSP)
• 3-part home services SIRS webinar series videos
• Reporting through My Aged Care videos
• Reportable incidents workflow
• 8 reportable incidents fact sheets
• Reporting responsibilities for providers and their staff fact sheet

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has recently updated or added resources to their website.

New and updated Commission resources

• Reform webinar recordings
  • New: Webinar recording – 3 November 2022 – SIRS reportable incidents webinar
  • New: Webinar recording – 7 November 2022 – Strengthening provider governance webinar and presentation slides
  • New: Webinar recording – 11 November 2022 – Code of Conduct for Aged Care webinar and presentation slides. This webinar was aimed at aged care workers
  • New: Webinar recording – 16 November 2022 – Reporting under the SIRS webinar

SIRS reporting videos

• New: Video – Reporting under the SIRS – What am I able to do based on my role?
• New: Video – Reporting under the SIRS – How do I submit a new SIRS notice?
• New: Video – Reporting under the SIRS – View SIRS notices, edit/delete draft notices and upload multiple notices

Alis IMS modules - register for free access to ALIS

• New: Online Alis module – What is an incident management system?
• New: Online Alis module – Creating an incident management system
• New: Online Alis module – Implementing an incident management system
• New: Online Alis module – Complaints and your incident management system

Fact sheets

1. New: Fact sheet – Workforce governance and management (for providers)
2. Updated: Fact sheet – Prudential Standards – Investment management strategy.

The Eastern Sector Development Team has released three videos for CHSP Providers.

Note that these have been developed for Providers in another state, though much of the information is relevant to providers in Queensland also. Thank you to the Eastern Sector Development Team for allowing us to share this information with you.

• Serious Incident Response Scheme (1 December 2022 implementation date)

Following the ESDT online Forum held on 18 October 2022, we are pleased to make available, a recording of the 'Are you ready for SIRS' presentation. This session is based on the Aged Care and Quality Safety Commission Best Practice Guide to Incident Management and provides a great opportunity for all providers to check their understanding of good practice incident management.

The session focuses on your obligation to have (and maintain) an effective Incident management system (IMS) and outlines the key elements of a best practice approach which includes the establishment of policies and procedures, recording tools/templates, education and communication and good governance and accountability. The session also includes information about what you can be doing to prepare for the introduction of SIRS and provides links to useful resources.

• Specialisation Verification Framework

The Specialisation Verification Framework has been established in response to recommendation 30 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety which stated that there should be verification to ensure ‘that the provider has proper grounds for making any representation of being able to provide specialised services for groups of people with diverse backgrounds and life experiences.’

Developed by Australian Healthcare Associates (AHA), the Framework seeks to address this recommendation, by embedding a focus on diversity in the aged care system and helping senior Australians to choose providers that meet their specific needs. Essentially, the framework sets out the conditions under which providers can promote their service to different communities on My Aged Care (for example culturally and linguistically diverse people, LGBTI, Veterans, etc).

This videon will introduce you to the new proposed specialisation verification framework for My Aged Care which commenced on the 27th June 2022. Included in the session are the key features of the framework, the two-tiered specialisation criteria, expectations of the verification and certification processes and discussions on what you can be doing to become a specialised provider.

• Navigating the aged care system - The care finder program

The aged care system is complex and not everyone is able navigate their way to a successful outcome on their own. People will and do experience barriers to navigating and accessing the services they need. To improve access and navigation of aged care, the Department of Health & Ageing is introducing the Care Finder program in January 2023.

This video will introduce you to the new Care Finder Program and discuss how it links with the broader aged care navigation and service systems including Trusted Indigenous Facilitators and complementary specialist support.

The session includes information about the program’s objectives and expected outcomes, the Care Finder target audience, the roles and responsibilities of care finders and the referral pathways.

The Department of Health and Aged Care has released Preparing for the new in-home aged care program - Service Provider Fact Sheet No. 1

The fact sheet has been designed to let you know what is coming and how to start preparing. This will help you be ready to adjust to the new arrangements including financial and business systems, changes to legal rights and responsibilities, your operational systems, workforce and care management.

Following these tips will help prepare you and your organisation are ready for the new arrangements.

The November 2022 fact sheet covers:

• Funding and Business model
• Regulatory Frameworks
• Care Management
• Service Level Data
• ICT Arrangements
• Client Transition
• The Future

Preparing for reform - Client Transition: is your client information up to date?

The following questions have been taken from the Department of Health and Aged Care's Fact Sheet 1.

• Ensure all clients exist in the portal
• Client consent has been obtained to share their information with the Department via MAC
• Demographic information is complete
• Service referral against your active outlet
• Services received are listed with details of delivery and frequency
• What plans does your organisation have to address any information gaps?
• What are the key questions clients are asking about the transition?
• Are any records still paper based, what will it take to digitise these?

Preparing for reform - Information and Communication Technology Arrangements: is your ICT suitable?

The following questions have been taken from the Department of Health and Aged Care's Fact Sheet 1.

• Do you have to double enter data in your Client Management System (CMS) and the My Aged Care (MAC) Provider Portal?
• Do you have a variety of data systems in use, is there a disconnect between finance and service delivery?
• Do you need to undertake a system review to find issues and areas for improvement?
• Does the organisation have any off-system processes?
• Information & Communication Technology (ICT) Arrangements: is your current ICT suitable?

The following questions have been taken from the Department of Health and Aged Care's Fact Sheet 1.

Steps and considerations to help you prepare

Regulatory Framework: ensuring providers are up to date with existing requirements and information accessibility

• Are you up to date with existing requirements and is the information readily available?
• Confirm your processes and information is up to date and is readily available such as police checks, APRA registration details etc
• Is your organisation able to easily extract data for regulatory reporting purposes?

Care Management: current provision of care management for clients

• Do you undertake care management for clients?
  • If so, how much time does care management take?
  • Do you have dedicated resources?

Service Level Data: client data management

• How do you receive referrals?
• Where do you hold the individual client information and service bookings, is it easily extracted?
• Are you actively using the My Aged Care (MAC) Provider Portal?

The following questions have been taken from the Department of Health and Aged Care's Fact Sheet 1.

Steps and considerations to help you prepare - Funding and Business Model: ensuring providers are sustainable in all markets

An indicative model for the new program proposes a mixed funding model for providers with a combination of activity-based payments in arrears and grants.

• Will your organisation be sustainable under the new arrangements with activity-based payments at set prices combined with supplementary grants for some service types and providers in thin markets?
• Review your business against Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) unit price ranges for different services – could your business operate at prices within those ranges, and would it be sustainable?
• Is your business model suitable for the future, are there any changes or adjustments needed?
• Do you need to review your operating structure or model now in preparation and note any risks?
• Are you operating in a thin market?
• If so, would you need supplementary grant funding and how would you explain this in a grant application?
• What level of funding would you need as a supplementary grant, if you received activity-based funding for services delivered at CHSP unit prices?
• If you have access to a pool of funds to use across your clients in addition to client budgets, how would you prioritise its use?

Preparing for reform - The Future: what does the future hold beyond 1 July 2024, what opportunities will exist?

The following questions have been taken from the Department of Health and Aged Care's Fact Sheet 1.

• Providers could consider expanding operations to other areas as they will no longer be constrained by Aged Care Planning Regions.
• Providers should consider how to attract new clients.
• Providers could look at how they position their businesses, for the changing aged care environment and the demographic growth likely to continue in coming years, including workforce strategies.

Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) for Home Services - Webinar 2 recording is now available.

Webinar 1 - Introduction to the SIRS: Incident management systems webinar recording and presentation slides

Webinar 2 - SIRS Reportable incidents webinar recording

Webinar 3 - Register here - 16 November - Reporting under the SIRS

Webinar 2, on 3 November 2022, looked at SIRS reportable incidents. In this webinar, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner Janet Anderson PSM and a panel of speakers held a discussion about SIRS reportable incidents. This webinar focused on the key differences between SIRS for home services and SIRS in residential aged care services, and the 8 SIRS reportable incident types were discussed. The SIRS from the perspective of aged care recipients was also considered, as were lessons learned over the last 18 months by a provider of both residential aged care and home services.

SIRS is due to be implemented in home care (including CHSP), 1 December 2022.

A New Program for In-Home Aged Care Discussion Paper is now available, and the department is calling for your feedback through a written submission. This is due by 24 November 2022.

The Department of Health and Aged Care will also be holding consultation sessions on the discussion paper throughout November. If you would like to participate in a session, please email SAH.implementation@health.gov.au by Friday 4 November, and note your preference to attend the industry sessions or the sessions for older Australians and their carers. For more information on this discussion paper or to view other consultation opportunities please visit the Aged Care Engagement Hub.

This discussion paper canvasses key issues in the design of reforms to in-home aged care. It seeks the views of older Australians, carers, and service providers on five key areas of focus for the design of a new in-home aged care program. This paper builds on previous consultations on reforms for in-home aged care which found broad agreement to a range of elements including:

• Improving the consistency of assessment of aged care needs by independent assessment organisations
• Introducing a new scheme for goods, equipment and assistive technology and home modifications that supports older Australians to remain independent
• Explicitly funding care partners to monitor older Australians’ clinical needs and support them when they need help
• Introducing a service list that provides more clarity around the services available in the home.

Further work is being done on these program elements, but they are not the focus of this paper.

The five key areas of focus set out in this discussion paper are:

• how to give older Australians the opportunity to manage their own services simply and easily should they choose to do so
• how to best implement the desired clinical oversight and practical assistance through care partners for older Australians receiving care at home
• how to fund providers to meet the full cost of care while achieving value for money across different service types, regions, and client cohorts • how to ensure the flexibility to respond to the changing needs of older Australians
• how to foster innovation and future investment in in-home aged care. We invite interested parties to provide a submission regarding the indicative model and discussion questions we have outlined in this paper.

Submissions may be written or uploaded into a web form on the Department of Health and Aged Care's Consultation Hub. Alternatively, you may call My Aged Care on 1800 319 209 and provide your views over the phone. Submissions will be open for six weeks until 25 November 2022. In the coming months, we will continue with our consultations through seminars, workshops, and analysis of the submissions. In December 2022, they aim to have our third webinar to update the community on what we have learned through these engagements and the likely direction of the new in-home aged care policy.

The Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) will commence in home care, including CHSP, 1 December 2022

The first of 3 webinars on SIRS in home services was hosted by the Commission on 26 September 2022. You can access the recording here and see the presentation slides here. A Q&A factsheet has also been released. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission recommended CHSP providers start preparing for the implementation by reviewing and updating your Incident Management System. Information on how to do this is included in the recording and presentation slides.

Two further webinars are scheduled in October with registrations opening one week before each event. The weblinks will be found in our Calendar.:

• Tuesday 18 October at 4:00–5:00 pm AEDT (SIRS reportable incidents)
• Monday 7 November at 4:00–5:00 pm AEDT (Reporting under the SIRS).

The Commission are also developing a suite of resources to support home services providers, their workforce and aged care recipients to understand their rights and responsibilities under the SIRS. Guidance documents for providers and consumers outlining the new provisions are being fine-tuned based on feedback obtained through small workshops involving providers and consumer representatives, to ensure that the material is fit for purpose. These documents should be ready for release in coming weeks.

COTA Queensland's CHSP Sector Support and Development Team will circulate those resources as they become available. Click on Follow Now button on https://cotaqld.engagementhub.com.au/chspcop to be notified when our Online Hub information is updated.

The Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022 was passed by the Government on 5 August 2022. As part of this Bill, the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) is being expanded to In-Home Care Providers (CHSP and HCP) on 1 December 2022.

The information below is based on ACCPA's Governance and Transition to Support at Home webinar held on 1 September 2022.

SIRS is expanding into in-home care on 1 December. For information on SIRS

• Schedule 4 - Extension of incident management and reporting etc Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2022
• SIRS - note, this information relates to RACFs. We recommend you view this website as it will help you to prepare for what is coming

The subordinate legislation, or the instruments, is separate and is being drafted by the Department of Health and Aged Care. The timing for this is currently unknown.

It is recommended that CHSP Providers start preparing now by reviewing and updating their general Incident Management System (IMS) Obligations. The Commission is holding workshops on SIRS and other regulatory requirements in September and in the coming months. Please see the Community of Practice calendar and the Key Dates document in the Resources Available section for information.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has recently released a fact sheet titled 'What is an effective incident management system?' outlining:

• What is an incident?
• What are a provider's incident management obligations?
• What is included in an incident management system?
• What are the benefits of effective incident management systems?
• Where should I start?
• How can I find out more about incident management systems?
• Incident management system requirements checklist

You can also download the 'Effective incident management systems: Best practice guidance' resource. This outlines:

• Responsibilities of aged care providers
• Incident management systems
• Key elements of an incident management systems

The Commission will be providing resources for providers soon so that you can prepare for the 1 December 2022 commencement date.

The CHSP Sector Support and Development Team will keep you updated with information as it becomes available. The SIRS enquiries line can be accessed Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm on 1800 081 549 or via sirs@agedcarequality.gov.au.

The Aged Care Act is changing

The following is based on information provided by Mel Metz, the Assistant Secretary of the Legislative Reform Branch at the Reforming in-home aged care Webinar on 31 August 2022.

Why is a new Aged Care Act being developed?

• The Royal Commission recommended a new Act be developed (Recommendation 1)
• The extent of structural reform necessitates a new Act and a new regulatory model
• A new Act provides the foundation for fundamental change to the aged care system - formalising access for older Australians to an aged care system focused on their individual and diverse needs
• A new Act places older Australians at the heart of the new system - existing legislation is structured around providers and how to fund them, rather than people receiving care

What does the new Act replace?

• The current aged care legislation, including the Aged Care Act 1997 and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018. New subordinate legislation will also need to be drafted

What will the new Act cover?

The new Act will:

• Outline the rights of older Australians who are seeking, or accessing aged care services
• Provide a single system entry point, with clear eligibility requirements
• Incorporate a fair, culturally-safe single assessment framework
• Support delivery of a range of aged care services, including newly designed in-home care services
• Establish a new system oversight and accountability arrangements
• Introduce a new proportionate risk-based regulatory model designed to increase provide accountability and encourage delivery of high quality and safe aged care services, and strengthen enforcement powers for the regulator

What are its limitations?

• The new Act will be an important vehicle for a reformed aged care system and to influence cultural change - but not everything will be legislated, and process and system changes will also be important
• Not all reforms will commence with the new Act and some arrangements will take time to mature

What are the current legislative amendments that have been put to Parliament?

• ACOLA (Royal Commission Response) Act 2022
  • Introduced to Parliament on 27 July 2022, passed on 2 August and received Royal Assent on 5 August.
  • Responds to 17 Royal Commission recommendations
  • Delivers important reforms, including AN-ACC for residential aged care facilities, Code of Conduct and banning orders, and the extension of Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS) to in-home care
    • SIRS is expanding into in-home care on 1 December. For information on SIRS click here (note, this information relates to RACFs though this will provide you with an understanding of what is coming and what you can prepare for. The Commission is holding some workshops on SIRS and other regulatory requirements in September and the coming months. Please see the Community of Practice calendar and the Key Dates document in the Resources Available section for information. CHSP Providers can start preparing now for the 1 December 2022 commencement date.
• ACA (Implementing Care Reform) Bill 2022
  • This Bill was introduced to Parliament on 27 July 2022 and is currently before the House of Representatives
  • It delivers on three of the Government's election commitments and responds to two election commitments

What is happening next with Legislative Reform?

• Work is underway, with engagement processes ramping up with a view to introducing the Bill for a new Aged Care Act in 2023.
• The exact timing will be a matter for the Government, and dependent on policy decisions being made and parliamentary passage.
• The process will look like this:
  • Drafting the Bill - Engaging with peaks through the Councils on drafting - objects and purpose, and how to translate policy intent into the Bill. The Department will engage with peaks through the Council of Elders and National Aged Care Advisory Council
  • Public Consultation - Engagement with stakeholders and public on the Exposure Draft of the Bill. The Department will consult with the public and peaks on the Exposure Draft of Subordinate Legislation alongside the Bill
  • Agreement of Government - Engage and agree across Government - Finalise the Bill for the new Act and agree across Government
  • Bill introduced to Parliament
  • Delivery - Introduction, passage, transition and commencement
  • Bill passes, and transition begins
  • New Act commences

COTA Queensland will keep you up-to-date with information as it becomes available. To contact the Department of Health and Aged Care regarding Aged Care Legislative Reform - email AgedCareLegislativeReform@health.gov.au

Verifying your specialised services to help diverse older Australians find the care they need

While all providers must meet the Aged Care Quality Standards, providing specialised care represents a commitment to go further and focus particularly on meeting the needs of a specific group. Providers who deliver specialised aged care services to diverse older Australians, including people from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds, need to have their specialisation claims verified by an independent assessor.

Your service can apply under the Specialisation Verification Framework’s assessment criteria. You can demonstrate you deliver specialised care to diverse needs groups by submitting evidence. There are different options for demonstrating specialisation, and you don’t necessarily have to meet all the criteria.

Aged care providers who claim these services can:

• apply for an assessment
• submit evidence showing that they meet the requirements set out in the framework
• have successful outcomes published on their My Aged Care, Find a Provider profile from October 2022. The verification will remain valid for three years.

Following a transition period, provider specialisation claims that have not been approved will have their specialisation removed from their Aged Care Profile.

Learn more on the Department of Health and Aged Care's website.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is providing free access to Alis for aged care providers.

Alis (said like Alice) stands for Aged Care Learning Information Solution. Alis is the Commission's learning platform that can be accessed at any time, providing content to help people working in the sector understand their obligations and provide safe, high-quality care.

There are different learning modules available, including though not limited to:

• Aged Care Quality Standards
• Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)
• Clinical Governance

Register for Alis here.

Eligibility:

All Commonwealth-Funded aged care Service Providers that are assessed under the Aged Care Quality Standards are able to receive complimentary Business accounts in the Alis platform. While your organisation may provide Home care packages or similar, to be eligible for the complimentary account your Service must be assessed under the Aged Care Quality Standards and had an assessment/quality review activity by the Commission.

If we are unable to locate your organisation in our Commission database it means that your Organisation does not currently fall under the above requirements. You are still able to register to access the platform and the online content however you will need to purchase your user account/s. If you wish to purchase an individual user licence for yourself you can click on the link below, click on ‘Sign up’ then ‘Register for an Individual Learner account’ tab, enter your details and follow the prompts to pay. The cost is $30.00 per licence for 12 months access.

If you wish to purchase multiple licences for an organisation click on the link below and then click on the link below, click on ‘Sign up’ then ‘Register for a paid business account’ tab, enter your details and follow the prompts to create the Independent Business account. Once created you can then log in and purchase your required amount of Learner user licences to allocate to yourself and your staff. The fees for user licences are listed below for your information.

Alis link: https://learning.agedcarequality.gov.au/

Pricing for Alis is based on a cumulative pricing scale which discounts costs based on the number of user licences being purchased. For example, if you purchase:

• 25 licences: the cost for one year will be $750 (or $30 per licence)
• 40 licences: the cost for one year will be $1,110 ($30 for the first 25 licences and $24 for the next 15 licences)
• 100 licences: the cost for one year will be $2,300 ($30 for the first 25 licences, $24 for the next 25 licences and $19 for the remaining 50 licences)

Users

Cost Per user per year

• 1-25 - $30.00
• 26-50 - $24.00
• 51-100 - $19.00
• 101-350 - $14.00
• 351-500 - $10.00
• 501+ - $7.00

The Government has announced that reforms to in-home aged care will be deferred to July 2024. The purpose of the webinar is to provide older Australians, their families and carers, and the aged care sector with an update on in-home aged care reforms, including preliminary views on a new Aged Care Act and regulatory arrangements.

You can view the webinar recording that was held on the 31st of August 2022 here.

With funding from the Commonwealth Department of Health and Aged Care, Bolton Clarke has launched the Inclusive Health and Ageing website. This website has been designed to help drive aged care workers to deliver best-practice care for people from diverse backgrounds.

Topics covered include lived experience, health and wellbeing, environmental conditions and diversity planning.

The types of diversity presented under lived experience include:

• Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Culturally and Linguistically Diverse Communities
• Financial Situation
• Gender, sexuality and bodies
• Living with disability
• Living with dementia
• Religion and spirituality
• Trauma and abuse
• Work history

The website includes:

• Information, resources and education programs for aged and health professionals working with people from diverse backgrounds
• Resources for consumers
• Research papers, reports, reviews and guidelines providing a deeper, evidence-based perspective
• Information from peak bodies, advocacy groups and other organisations

The SCHADSI Award has recently changed.

Please see the LASA presentation and the Operational Checklist for details on the Award changes and the operational impacts.

Thank you for registering for the Community of Practice Hub for CHSP Providers.

We encourage you to:

• click on the 'Follow Project' button on the top right-hand side of the page. You will be alerted each time there is an update to the website
• encourage fellow CHSP Coordinators / Managers to register and use this site - to register email CHSPSectorSupport@cotaqld.org.au
• participate in learning opportunities - see the Community of Practice Calendar on the right-hand side of this page
• read the latest news section
• regularly read the documents available in the 'Resources available' section on the right-hand side of the page - Important Dates and Resources Available
• watch the Community of Practice recordings available in the 'Resources available' section on the right-hand side of the page - Community of Practice Recordings
• add questions or respond to others in the 'Forums' section at the bottom of the page

If you have suggestions on how to improve the online hub, please contact CHSPSectorSupport@cotaqld.org.au

My Aged Care: When did you last review your details?

The COTA Queensland CHSP Sector Support and Development Team regularly hear from aged care users that service information on the My Aged Care Find a Provider Tool is often incorrect. The information available on this tool is sourced directly from the information you enter in the Provider Portal. You should regularly review your information to ensure it’s up to date and displaying correctly. If you identify information that needs updating, you can make these changes via the Provider Portal. Updates usually appear the next day in the Find a Provider tool.

To help you keep your information in the Find a Provider tool up to date, see the service provider profile tips, and refer to the provider resources for guidance on how to make changes in the Provider Portal.

Auslan interpreting services for older Australians contacting My Aged Care

Support is now available to assist older Australians to contact My Aged Care through a free Auslan video interpreting service. This includes tactile signing or hand over hand interpreting.

The three-way video chat connects callers to an Auslan interpreter and a My Aged Care agent at the same time.

To learn more about the new sign language interpreting service, and other accessible services, visit the My Aged Care website.

You can also access our Auslan-captioned introduction video, which shows you how My Aged Care can help you find Australian Government-funded aged care services. Watch the video on YouTube.

The Australian Government is funding several organisations and consortia through the Home Care Workforce Support Program (2021-2023). The aim is to attract and train new and existing workers in the home and community aged care sector. Information about the Home Care Workforce Support Program is found here.

To assist with the evaluation of this program, they are inviting personal care workers and organisations providing care in the home and community to complete a survey.

For Providers, your responses will help the evaluation team to understand the extent to which the Home Care Workforce Support Program is meeting care provider workforce needs and how it could be improved. The survey should be completed at an organisation level and will take about 10 minutes to complete. To complete the provider survey, click here.

For personal care workers, the survey aims to find out about what personal care workers do and what they think about their jobs, training and working conditions. This survey is open to all people who are working as or training to provide personal care to older people living at home. This includes people such as personal care workers, allied health assistants and enrolled nurses. Job tasks may include activities such as personal care support, helping with household tasks, transport and going to appointments, grocery shopping and preparing meals, and assisting doctors and therapists to provide support. To complete the personal care worker survey, click here.

Carrie Hayter Consulting has developed Unit costing tools for CHSP providers.

We held a session for CHSP Providers on the 26th of July and will be holding another on August 23. These sessions have reached capacity. If you would like to be added to a waitlist, please contact CHSPSectorSupport@cotaqld.org.au

The Department of Health is changing how it pays CHSP service providers. Instead of paying upfront, providers will be paid in arrears. If your unit costs differ from the National Unit Prices outlined in the CHSP Payment in Arrears and Unit Pricing factsheet and your 2022-2023 Extension contract, it is recommended that you speak with your FAMs.

The tools help you to:

• understand service unit costs
• calculate the full cost of service delivery
• confirm if your organisation can deliver a contracted service at the offered unit price
• ensure your business model is viable and sustainable.

The tools include:

• How-to video – watch it to explain how to use the materials
• Workbook – work through topics, do activities, review case studies
• Spreadsheet – input your data to calculate service costs using built-in formulas.

To access the tools, click here.