At this time of year, most people are thinking about Christmas parties and perhaps having some time off. It’s a season when things slow down for many in Australia; however, in the care industry, it never stops. Providers need to be aware of risks to consumers, from soaring temperatures to floods or fire preparedness.
This year, the industry has also been inundated with new information and resources about the reform process. It’s a lot to digest. Hopefully, there will be some quiet time during the next couple of months for managers and their staff to download, read through the materials, and identify how the changes will impact operations.
We will be back with the first Newsletter in early February.
From our team to yours, we hope you enjoy a break over the festive season to recharge and relax. Best wishes, Donna, Carrie and the CDCS Team.
Content Summary
Latest CDCS Videos & Blog Posts
To respond to the needs of those working in the industry, CDCS has a range of blog posts on our website and videos that are freely available on our YouTube channel.
7 Steps For Getting Open Disclosure Right in Aged Care
Open disclosure is part of the current aged care quality standards (and will continue to be embedded in the revised standards). It is an expectation of organisations providing government-funded aged care services.
Industry News
All Sector Updates
Stage 3 Aged Care Wage Rise Implementation Considerations for Providers – Webinar recording
The Department recently ran a webinar (18 Nov 2024) on the Stage 3 Aged Care Wage Rise Implementation Considerations for Providers. A recording of the webinar can be found on the Department’s website.
Legislation Updates
Aged Care Act
Parliament passed the Aged Care Bill on 25 November. This means the new Aged Care Act will start from 1 July 2025.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQ&SC) has created a new section on their website that will help people understand the changes that will impact on providers, their staff and consumers.
Aged Care Reforms – A Guide for Providers
The Department has released an updated booklet that 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.
Reports Due
December Quarterly Financial Report
Due 14th Feb 2025
The QFR portal will be open on the 1st Jan 2025 for providers to input quarter 2 data.
Flu Vaccination Reporting – Residential Care
Residential aged care and home care providers need to report on influenza vaccinations as at 31 October for:
- staff who have voluntarily provided vaccination information
- aged care residents, where applicable.
The form will close on 7 February 2025.
COVID Updates
See COVID-19 advice for people in residential aged care homes and visitors on the department website for any updates.
Home Care Updates
Changes coming to NATSIFAC and CHSP
Providers who deliver NATSIFAC and CHSP services will be registered under the new Act and regulated by the ACQSC.
NATSIFACP
Current NATSIFAC service providers will receive ongoing funding to 30 June 2025. This will ensure continuity of care and delivery of quality services. Funding arrangements beyond 30 June 2025 will need to reflect changes from the broader aged care reforms, including the new Age Care Act.
New CHSP Fact Sheet
A new fact sheet has been released by the Department of Health and Aged Care that outlines the proposed changes to Commonwealth Home Support Programme service list to align it with Support at Home and the new Aged Care Act.
This fact sheet outlines what Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers need to know about the proposed changes to the service list from 1 July 2025. It is also interesting to note the name changes of service types and see some new service types being offered to consumers to support independence.
The fact sheet complements the previously published CHSP service catalogue which provides a one-page overview of how current service types will be grouped from July 1 2025.
Updates to the 24-25 CHSP manual
The CHSP manual had a minor update at the end of November, it is titled Version 2 December 2024.
A document providing a summary of changes can be found below the list of appendices on the Department’s CHSP Manual page.
Managing CHSP Service information in My Aged Care ‘Find a Provider’ tool.
The Department has published a new guide to help Providers completing the ‘Find a Provider’ tool. The guide explains how CHSP providers should present information about their services to make sure senior Australians, their families and carers can easily find and compare providers in their area.
Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) funding boost for meals services
The Australian Government is boosting funding for all CHSP providers delivering meal services to alleviate cost pressures. This fact sheet outlines what providers need to know.
HCP consumers can now access goods and equipment through CHSP – Fact sheet
Eligible HCP care recipients and those on the waiting list for an HCP package can access up to $2,500 per year for equipment and assistive technology through the CHSP program.
For more information on eligibility and how a person can access this support can be found in the Department’s new fact sheet.
HCP Manual update
The Home Care Package program manual has been updated. The latest manual and a summary of the changes can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
The HCP inclusions and exclusions fact sheet has also been updated.
Regional, Rural and Remote Home Care Workforce Support – program manual
The Department has developed a manual for Regional, Rural and Remote Home Care Workforce Support Program (RR&R HCWSP) grant applicants and recipients.
This document explains what the RR&R HCWSP is and how it operates. The grant opportunity builds on the previous Home Care Workforce Support Program which ran from 2021-22 to 2023-24.
The purpose of the program is to:
- Build the home care workforce in regional, rural, and remote locations (Modified Monash Model (MMM) 3 to 7 areas)
- Support aged care providers build their capacity to expand their own local workforce
- Support PCWs develop the skills and training required to work in the sector.
Residential Care Updates
Preparing for the expanded Mandatory Quality Indicators Program
From 1st April 2025, the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program) for residential aged care is expanding to include 3 new staffing indicators. The new staffing indicators focus on:
To help residential providers get ready for the changes, the Department recently ran a webinar aimed at providers and their staff. The webinar slides and video can be found on the Department’s website. The Department has also released a series of reference guides for each of the staffing types, click on the links above.
Reading
Caring for older people in hot weather
With the upcoming summer heat, it is a good time to read the Commission’s article on caring for older people in hot weather and update your vulnerable persons list. This article outlines who is at risk and ways to monitor and support them during this time.
Department and Commission Newsletter Links
If you haven't subscribed for Department updates, you can do so by clicking here to subscribe.
If you’re not already signed up, we recommend clicking through and signing up for the Commission’s valuable newsletter.
CDCS Roundup for Busy People Newsletter
If you have others in your team who would benefit from our monthly aged care roundup for busy people – they can sign up here.
Industry Training, Webinars & Events
Advance Care Planning educational resources
Advance care planning is a practice that the Commission expects providers to support their consumers to consider. Advance care planning involves planning for a person’s future health care and enables them to make some decisions now about the health care they would or would not like to receive if they become seriously ill and unable to communicate their preferences or make treatment decisions.
Resources to help both consumers and care staff understand the practice can be found on the Advance Care Planning Australia website.
Maggie Beer Foundation
Cooks and chefs working in residential aged care facilities are able to sign up for the Maggie Beer Foundation’s free online training. Course topics include: Tips for Maximising Flavour, Plating Texture Modified Meals and Enhancing the Dining Experience. There is also content designed to help identify and overcome challenges in the kitchen, discussing culture and collaboration.
New Aged Care Regulatory Model – webinar recording
The Department has uploaded a recording of their webinar held on the 14th November. The webinar was aimed at helping providers and their staff understand how the new aged care regulatory model will work.
Ongoing workshops provided by the ACQ&SC
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission develops a range of educational resources and workshops for aged care providers, in-home services and residential services that assist in understanding what compliance looks like.
You can find these courses listed on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s website under the Education tab.
Funding Opportunities
Grant Reference
Name of Grant
Closing Date
Regional, Rural and Remote Home Care Workforce Support Program.
The program will:
- support providers in regional, rural and remote locations to expand their local home care workforce
- provide training for personal care workers to develop the skills required to work in aged care
- recruit and retain 4,000 personal care workers in locations with acute workforce shortages.
6 January 2025
Fair Work Commission (FWC) Stage 3 (Tranche 1) Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) Base
- This one-off payment will help CHSP providers to meet increases to award wage increases for eligible aged care workers from 1 January 2025.
9 January 2025
For more information on any of these grants, refer to the GrantConnect website.
SDAP – Services Development Assistance Panel
Don’t forget, if you are an aged care provider (residential or community care) operating in rural or remote locations, you may be eligible for support through the Service Development Assistance Panel (SDAP).
CDCS has been a panel member since the inception of this program in 2010 and has supported over 40 aged care services with compliance, business development, training and resource development.
Get an idea of what can be done with SDAP.
Further information is available on the Department’s website, including the application form, or by emailing sdap@health.gov.au.
Jobs in Aged Care
Position
Organisation & Location
Closing Date
Casual Relief Positions, Various – East Arnhem Regional Council
Until filled
NOTE: If you have a position that you would like us to promote, please hit ‘reply’ to this email so we can include it in the next newsletter and/or post on our Facebook page: CDCS – Culturally Directed Care Solutions.
New In The TQP Members Resource Area
You’ll find a full list of the updated policies, procedures and other helpful resources that have been updated in the last month below. We're committed to helping your organisation meet compliance and deliver quality outcomes.
If you don't have access to the TQP and you’re looking for comprehensive, industry-specific policies, procedures and work instructions that have been used successfully by dozens of aged care providers, helping them to easily pass quality reviews and stay compliant, then take a look at the Total Quality Package.
Resource updates in the last month
Governance Policies & Procedures
Open Disclosure V3 – updated
TQP Live Training & Replays
TQP Members get complimentary access to regular LIVE training and education sessions. These are aimed at the coordination and management level and address trending issues and topics. Recordings are available in the TQP to revisit whenever you need – just like having your very own ‘Aged Care Netflix!’ ????
We hope you have found this edition helpful; feel free to share it with others who may be interested. If you have any feedback or questions, please let us know by emailing us at info@cdcs.com.au.
Please get in contact with us if you need support and we’ll catch up with you again next month.
Donna, Carrie & the CDCS Team
- March 2025 - March 15, 2025
- February 2025 - February 17, 2025
- December 2024/January 2025 - December 11, 2024
