Aged care provider peak bodies have welcomed the Federal Government’s repeal of Commonwealth aged care building certification requirements which duplicated state and territory legislation.
Assistant Minister for Social Services Senator Mitch Fifield said yesterday that rules governing building standards were being administered by state and territory governments, which aged care providers were required to meet, and certification duplicated that work.
“The Aged Care Quality Agency will continue to monitor compliance by aged care providers with state and territory rules to protect aged care consumers,” Senator Fifield said.
He said the repeal demonstrated the government was “serious about cutting unnecessary administrative requirements to free aged care providers from burdensome red tape and allowing them to focus on what they do best – providing high quality care to older Australians.”
Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) described the repeal as “a significant win” for the sector. ACSA CEO Adjunct Professor John Kelly said the only impact of a Commonwealth building certification process was to make more work for aged care providers.
Red tape reduction would need to be replicated in the Budget and throughout the year, he said. “ACSA will be working closely with the Government to actively pursue the removal of more red tape. This a welcome first step but there is much more to do.”
Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) similarly welcomed the announcement and said it looked forward to “continuing the process for red tape reductions and removal of unnecessary regulation, standing ready to provide pragmatic and salient advice to government and stakeholders.”
Both LASA and ACSA called on the Senate to support the government’s repeal of the Commonwealth building certification process.
