Your Aged Care Update # 24/24
In this issue
News about the reforms
Webinar: Financial reporting
This webinar is for aged care providers to understand:
changes to the Quarterly Financial Report and Aged Care Financial Report
trends from the Quarterly Financial Snapshot
Quarterly Financial Report application user experience feedback.
When: Tuesday 9 July, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (AEST)
Register now.
Sector news
Latest Quarterly Financial Snapshot
The Quarterly Financial Snapshot for Quarter 2 2023-24 (1 October to 31 December 2023) is now available.
The snapshot uses data submitted through the Quarterly Financial Report for sector level information on:
financial indicators
care minutes
labour costs, wages and hours
occupancy
food and nutrition.
We are continuing to increase sector transparency through timely publication of financial data.
Thanks to all providers who completed reporting and contributed to developing this snapshot.
Download the Quarterly Financial Snapshot Quarter 2 2023-24.
Finance information update on My Aged Care
Residential aged care and home care finance information has been updated on My Aged Care via the ‘Find a Provider’ tool. This update reflects the Quarter 2 2023-24 Quarterly Financial Report.
Providers had the opportunity to preview their information prior to publication.
Publishing finance information helps:
providers to compare their performance against the sector
identify improvement opportunities
older people, their families and carers to make informed care decisions.
Read about the finance and operations information publication.
Provider operations data collection opens 1 July
A reminder for providers that operations data collection opens on 1 July.
Residential and home care providers can submit information for the 2023-2024 reporting period through the online Provider Operations Collection Form. This is accessed through the Government Provider Management System (GPMS).
Transition care providers can submit information through the Transition Care Annual Accountability Report.
For technical support, please call the My Aged Care service provider and assessor helpline on 1800 836 799 and select option 5.
Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) guidelines update
The Communicable Diseases Network Australia (CDNA) National Guidelines for the Prevention, Control and Public Health Management of Outbreaks of Acute Respiratory Infection in Residential Care have been updated.
The guidelines can help you plan, prepare, detect and manage cases and outbreaks of acute respiratory infection, such as COVID-19 and flu.
New information includes:
changes to days in isolation following a COVID-19 diagnosis
inclusion of combination Rapid Antigen Tests to detect COVID-19, influenza A/B and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
greater focus on outbreak management, not just COVID-19, and the inclusion of RSV.
We encourage you to read the updated National Guidelines and review your outbreak management plans accordingly.
Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme applications
Stolen Generation survivors are now aged 50 and over and are eligible for aged care services or may already be receiving care.
If you are an aged care provider supporting First Nations people who may be eligible for redress, we encourage you to share information on the Territories Stolen Generations Redress Scheme.
Stolen Generations survivors were removed as children from their families and/or communities. This redress scheme is for survivors from the Northern Territory, Australian Capital Territory and the Jervis Bay Territory.
Applications close 28 February 2026.
More information:
Webinar: Digital Transformation Tech Talk
Register for our next Tech Talk webinar for the latest updates on the ongoing digital transformation of the aged care sector.
When: Wednesday 10 July, 2:00 pm to 3:30 pm (AEST)
You’ll hear updates about:
July releases for the Government Provider Management System, Business to Government and My Aged Care
the Aged Care Data and Digital Strategy and Action Plan
answers to popular questions raised at the April 2024 Tech Talk.
Register now.
Tech Talk webinars are held every 6 weeks to keep the aged care sector and IT professionals up to date on our digital transformation work. Anyone with an interest in digital transformation for the aged care sector is welcome to attend.
Residential care
Seeking residential care managers views on continence care
We want to hear from residential aged care home managers for an evaluation of government-funded continence initiatives.
Independent researchers, Healthcare Management Advisors, will interview managers to understand how aged care residents are supported to manage incontinence.
Interviews can be held face-to-face or online and will take up to an hour. Your participation is valuable for our evaluation and will help set national policy direction.
All responses will be anonymous and confidential.
If you are interested in participating, email continence@health.gov.au before Friday 12 July.
Learn more about the Continence Policy and Research Project.
Specialist Dementia Care Program grants closing soon
Applications for the Specialist Dementia Care Program grant opportunity in 3 Primary Health Network regions close on 25 July.
This program provides care for people with very severe behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia who cannot be cared for by mainstream aged care services.
Eligible providers in the following regions are encouraged to apply:
South Australia – Adelaide (Northern Adelaide Local Health District)
New South Wales – Northern Sydney
Victoria – Eastern Melbourne.
For more information about the grant and eligibility requirements: GrantConnect (GO5304).
In-home care
Home Care Packages Program Data Report now available
We have released the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program Data Report for the period 1 January – 31 March 2024.
Key findings:
284,429 people had access to a HCP as at 31 March 2024, an increase of 6% from the previous 12 months.
Of this group, 273,306 people were receiving a HCP, an increase of 10% since 31 March 2023.
At 31 March 2024, there were 59,751 people in the National Priority System waiting for a package at their approved level.
99% of these people (59,200) were receiving a HCP while they wait for a package at their approved level, and/or are approved for CHSP services.
Access the Home Care Packages Program Data Report for the period 1 January – 31 March 2024.
Survey: Home Care Package program activity
We want to hear from all Home Care Package providers to understand the volume of services they are currently delivering. This is part of preparing for the new Support at Home program.
The survey will collect totals of service hours and units delivered to care recipients by service type. This data will help us support providers while transitioning to the Support at Home program from 1 July 2025.
Please complete the online survey, it should take 30 to 60 minutes.
The survey closes on 1 July.
This survey is not an audit of individual provider capacity and will not be used for any compliance action. Providers who are members with ACCPA can opt-in to share their data with them.
If you have questions, please contact SAHanalytics@health.gov.au.
Webinar: Vision loss tips for CHSP providers
Join Vision Australia’s webinar on supporting people with vision loss. This free session is specifically for Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) providers.
When: Wednesday 26 June, 2:00 pm to 3:00 pm (AEST)
The webinar will cover:
how to help vision-impaired people feel safe and comfortable when receiving services in their home
practical ways to help people with low vision in social and community settings
strategies to ensure programs are inclusive.
Workforce
Workforce survey: We need your insights
Complete a survey as part of our research project into the aged care workforce.
We want to hear from:
residential aged care workers
in-home aged care workers
all roles (personal care, nurses, allied health, support and administrative workers)
volunteers
workers who identify as First Nations
workers who identify as culturally and linguistically diverse.
Your participation will help us understand how we should communicate about changes that affect you.
Take the survey now. It takes less than 15 minutes to complete. All responses are anonymous.
The survey closes on 9 July.
Webinar: Behaviours of concern and vision impairment
Join Vision Australia’s webinar on behaviours of concern in the context of vision impairment.
This free session is for support workers, allied health professionals, and aged care providers.
When: Thursday 27 June, 1:00 pm to 2:00 pm (AEST)
Explore effective communication methods, proactive interventions, and compassionate approaches to promote well-being and quality of life for older people.
Register now.