It’s been a hectic year for the aged care industry. Never has so much change happened within such a short space of time. The Government introduced a once-in-a-generation suite of law reforms that introduced a new funding system and imposed new governance requirements, financial reporting obligations, a Code of Conduct and Star Ratings. At the same time, an aged care wages dispute played out at the Fair Work Commission, new complex grant opportunities were released, and COVID-19 regulations were wound back with baffling inconsistency across the Australian jurisdictions.
As ACE looks back on the most popular articles for 2022, it’s not surprising that we see a clear preference among our readers for concise guides and practical tips. The industry is not getting any simpler, so as 2023 rolls out we’ll continue our mission to provide you with simple, practical, how-to guides to help you navigate your rapidly evolving compliance requirements.
In the meantime, here are the top 10 ACE articles for 2022.
10.
This article summarises the Fair Work Commission’s November update on the case for a wage increase for residential aged care workers. Published November 2022.
More information: Fair Work Commission: Work value case – Aged Care Industry
9.
This article provides an overview of the new aged care legislation introduced in mid-2022. The new legislation introduced reforms that have since commenced, such as the shift from ACFI to AN-ACC, Star Ratings, new Code of Conduct and new governance requirements. The Acts also introduced reforms that will commence in 2023 such as mandatory care minutes and the requirement for 24/7 Registered Nurses.
Check the article for links to useful resources.
8.
This article summarises the Fair Work Commission’s June update on the case for a wage increase for residential aged care workers. Published June 2022.
More information: Fair Work Commission: Work value case – Aged Care Industry
7.
A new Code of Conduct applies to aged care providers from 1 December 2022. This article provides a summary of the Code, whom it affects and what will happen if it is not followed. Published October 2022.
More information: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission: Code of Conduct for Aged Care – Information for Providers
6.
Five major reforms commenced October-December 2022: AN-ACC replaced ACFI, quarterly financial reports became due, and a new Code of Conduct was introduced along with new governance responsibilities and Star Ratings. Published September 2022.
Check the article for links to useful resources.
5.
This article sets out key information about these two major reforms that are expected to commence in 2023: registered nurses required 24/7, mandatory 200 minutes care time per resident.
Check the article for links to useful resources.
4.
In the lead up to the decision by the Fair Work Commission to raise wages for some aged care workers, we published this article summarising the latest information at the time of publication in April 2022.
More information: Fair Work Commission: Work Value Case – Aged care Industry
3.
In October 2022, the Mandatory Quality Indicator Program was expanded to add six new Quality Indicators to the existing five. This article summarises the Department of Health and Aged Care’s updated guidance about the new indicators. Published July 2022.
More information: Department of Health and Aged Care: National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program)
2.
The rules on COVID-19 testing and isolation changed rapidly over the course of 2022 as the Commonwealth, state/territory governments, as well as local public health units (PHUs) struggled to respond to the spread of the Omicron variant. In this article we summarise the rules as they were on 18 January 2022, and link to some key resources to help you stay up to date.
Check the article for links to useful resources.
1.
On 1 February 2022, the Commonwealth Government announced that an aged care workforce bonus of up to $800 would be paid to eligible aged care workers in Government-subsidised home care and residential care.
More information: Department of Health and Aged Care: Aged Care Workforce Bonus Payment
