5 September 2024  Edition 1274

Hi Mark,

With the country’s politicians heading back to Canberra next week, the aged care sector is asking the question: will the Government finally put the new Aged Care Act, and its response to the Taskforce recommendations, to Parliament?

As I state in my opinion piece today, aged care providers and older Australians deserve to know what their futures hold.

The Federal Government has already missed an important deadline for announcing the new AN-ACC price for residential aged care last month – with just four weeks until October when the new price was promised to start, will the sector soon have an answer?

And find out which aged care providers have made IBISWorld’s Top 500 unlisted Australian companies – you may be surprised.

Read on.

$10.3 million a day: aged care the loser as political cycle drags out

By Lauren Broomham

With Parliament to resume next Monday, all eyes are on Canberra – what are the odds that the Government can finally deliver the long-awaited new Aged Care Act and its response to the Aged Care Taskforce recommendations?

Bipartisan agreement on Aged Care Taskforce reforms “very close”: Anika Wells

By Caroline Egan

Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells has told The Dementia Centre's International Dementia Conference 2024 this morning that she is "hopeful" that bipartisan support for reforms recommended by the Aged Care Taskforce is "very close".

ACCPA’s “dismay” over Government’s missed AN-ACC deadline

By Caroline Egan

Tom Symondson, CEO of the Aged and Community Care Providers' Association (ACCPA), has told The Weekly SOURCE, the peak body is "disappointed" the AN-ACC price was not announced last month, as had been repeatedly promised by Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells.

Which aged care providers made Australia’s Top 500 Private Companies of 2024?

By Lauren Broomham

Five aged care providers have made IBISWorld’s top 50 unlisted Australian companies of 2024 – and none are ‘private’ according to the report. 

Staff shortages sending vacancies to 15% despite surging demand for aged care beds

By Caroline Egan

The clinical staff shortage means aged care beds are going empty, says Russell Egan, CEO of family-owned and Brisbane-based Superior Care Group.

SATURDAY subscription magazine: Baptcare has an ambitious plan - with one key proviso

By Caroline Egan

Not For Profit Baptcare has a bold target to reach 5,000 aged care beds from its existing 1,700.

Monthly Care Statements could cost this aged care provider more than $200K annually

 By Caroline Egan

The Department of Health and Aged Care has introduced voluntary Monthly Care Statements from 1 October, with plans to make them mandatory in the future. But will aged care providers be willing to take on the extra administrative burden - and cost?

By Caroline Egan

International student number cuts may hit aged care workforce

With the Federal Government announcing it will set international student numbers at 270,000 for the 2025 calendar year, a cut of nearly 20,000 from the current year, aged care providers may see an important pool of aged care workers diminished. 

Regulatory Strategy 2024-25 a “bridge” to new Aged Care Act

By Caroline Egan

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) has released its Regulatory Strategy 2024-25, which sets a foundation for the new Aged Care Act.

Home Care Package Management fees growing at double the rate of Care Management

By Caroline Egan

Package Management fees for Home Care Packages rose on average 25% in the year to 30 June 2024, compared with a 12% increase in Care Management fees.

Aged care worker jailed for two years for sexual abuse of resident with dementia

By Caroline Egan

A Perth aged care worker has been sentenced to two years' jail after pleading guilty to three counts of indecently dealing with an incapable person.

What ‘right to disconnect’ laws mean for aged care

By Caroline Egan

In February, the Government passed laws allowing employees the right to disconnect from work. These laws came into effect on Monday 26 August 2024, giving employees the right to refuse to monitor, read or respond to contact outside work hours, unless refusal is unreasonable.

Hall & Prior gets a month’s extension to buy Kiama Council’s Blue Haven Bonaira

By Caroline Egan

The Perth-based, family-owned aged care provider says it needs more time for due diligence and "transitional work". 

myHomecare acquisition and new homes drive Australian Unity earnings higher

By Caroline Egan

Australian Unity earned $108.8 million in revenue from its myHomecare Group acquisition in FY24 in only three months of trading.

Australia’s first guide for people living at home with dementia and their carers

By Caroline Egan

Not For Profit Victorian aged care provider VMCH has developed Australia's first guide to support people living with dementia at home, and to support their carers.

Private aged care operator Rockpool secures roof of Songbird Oxley home, Brisbane, with opening expected 2025

By Caroline Egan

Rockpool Songbird Oxley, located 10km southwest of the Brisbane CBD, now has a secure roof in place and builder McNab is fitting out the interior of the six-storey, 152-bed home.

By Caroline Egan

Fed Govt releases minimum software standards for aged care clinical systems

The Australian Digital Health Agency and the Department of Health and Aged Care have released the first Aged Care Clinical Information System (ACCIS) Standards, a set of recommended minimum software requirements for clinical information systems and electronic medication management systems used in residential aged care homes.

By Caroline Egan

Fed Govt pays contractors nearly $3 million for Star Ratings advertising

The Department of Health and Aged Care has extended its contract with consumer analysis firm Fifty-Five Five to investigate ways to improve the Star Ratings system.