We're only halfway through 2023 and it's already been another year of major reforms for the aged care sector. Aged Care Essentials wanted to highlight some of our most read articles in 2023 (so far), as well as offer some additional resources where relevant.
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Here are the ‘Top 5’ Aged Care Essentials articles for 2023 (so far). Click on the article title to read the full article. There are also some links to helpful resources below.
5.
New Rules For Restrictive Practices Substitute Decision-Makers: A Summary for Aged Care Providers
In December 2022, the Federal Government introduced some new interim laws that may affect how aged care providers manage situations where a person must consent to a restrictive practice on behalf of an aged care recipient. Here’s what you need to know.
📚HELPFUL RESOURCE: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission: New consent arrangements for restrictive practices
4.
New Aged Care Quality Indicators Commence 1 April 2023: How to Prepare
In April 2023, the Mandatory Quality Indicator Program was expanded to add six new Quality Indicators (QIs). In this article we look at what the Department of Health and Aged Care’s updated guidance tells us about the new QIs and the new data that aged care providers must collect and report on.
📚HELPFUL RESOURCES:
3.
Parental Leave Changes from June 2023: An Explainer for Aged Care Providers
Significant changes to employment conditions have been made in recent months by the Respect at Work legislation and by expanded entitlements to family and domestic violence leave. Changes to the Paid Parental Leave Scheme have now been legislated and took effect from 1 July 2023. There are also changes to the provisions for unpaid parental leave under the Fair Work Act. These changes are likely to affect most employers (including aged care providers). Here’s what you need to know.
📚HELPFUL RESOURCE: Department of Employment and Workplace Relations fact sheet: Unpaid parental leave.
2.
Aged Care Wages Increase Explained: June 2023
The Fair Work Commission (the Commission) recently decided to increase minimum wages by 15% for aged care sector workers covered by certain awards. The increase takes effect from the first full pay period commencing on or after 30 June 2023. In this article, we discuss the wage increase and the next steps for aged care providers.
📚HELPFUL RESOURCE: Department of Health and Aged Care: Aged Care Worker Wages - Guidance Document
1.
5 Major Reforms Coming to the Aged Care Industry in 2023
We are barely a month into 2023 and it is already shaping up to be another hectic year for aged care providers. Here are five major upcoming reforms to flag now so that you can prepare early and be ready.
- Registered Nurses required 24/7 from 1 July 2023.
- Mandatory 200 minutes of care time per resident per day (including 40 RN minutes) from October 2023.
- Revised Aged Care Quality Standards commencing sometime in 2023.
- New governance requirements commencing 1 December 2023.
- Wage increase for aged care workers.
📚HELPFUL RESOURCES:
Other Helpful Resources
In case you've missed it, here are our on-demand webinars from earlier this year that you may find helpful, on topics ranging from the New Quality Indicators, to Reforms, Risks and Reporting:
