Next consultation on rules coming early Feb

Provider obligations, worker screening and deeming trial updates among the topics discussed in the Department of Health and Aged Care webinar on the new aged care regulatory model.

The consultation phase over what obligations the different registered aged care categories will involve under the new Aged Care Act will begin in February, the Department of Health and Aged Care has confirmed in response to provider questions during this week’s webinar on the new regulatory model.

The department also confirmed that worker screening checks will not be in place until 2026, so that a national approach can be implemented. Until then, the current standard of police checks will be used.

In Thursday’s webinar, the department also made a point to emphasise that whoever receives the government subsidy is responsible for all the care given to a client, even if the specific service has been outsourced. Depending on the level of risk related to the service, the department said the sub-contracted service provider may have to be registered too.

Proposed registration categories for new aged care regulatory model (New regulatory model for aged care: Unpacking the new model for providers)

Deeming trials have taken place to test the IT and algorithm capabilities, but the department urged any providers who did not receive emails to participate not to worry, as there will be other chances to engage with the deeming trials, along with a provider registration preview coming in April.

During the April preview providers can check the information the department holds about them is correct. To make this process smoother the department encourages registered providers to check all information is up to date and accurate, particularly contact numbers.

The department also discussed the possibility of the transition to the new Aged Care Act being impacted by the caretaker period in the instance an election is called but indicated confidence the process will not be impeded.

Summary of key changes in the new regulatory model

  • universal provider registration
  • streamlined provider obligations
  • enhanced powers of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
  • a risk-based registration category, with providers registered to categories depending on the type of services offered.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will be responsible for monitoring providers and ensuring obligations are met.

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Tags: aged care act 2024, aged-care, Department of Health and Aged Care, provider information, registration categories, regulatory model, webinar, workforce,

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