Public Input Sought for Proposed Changes to Aged Care Legislation

Extensive consultations have played a pivotal role in shaping the forthcoming Aged Care Act, a critical legislative development. The Australian Government has invited all stakeholders within the aged care ecosystem to actively participate by sharing their perspectives and contributing to the discourse surrounding the proposed new Act.

Exposure Draft Consultation Overview

This December – 2023, the Australian Government unveiled the exposure draft of the Bill for the new Act, initiating a period of public consultation. This consultation period will extend until February 16, 2024, affording members of the public and interested organisations the opportunity to provide valuable feedback, ultimately influencing the final form of the Bill slated for introduction to Parliament in 2024.

The exposure draft primarily encompasses the sections of the Bill that encapsulate the most substantial proposed alterations to the aged care system. Our emphasis is on soliciting feedback related to these changes to refine and finalise the Bill effectively.

All stakeholders invested in aged care, including older individuals, their families, and caregivers, as well as aged care providers, workers, advocates, volunteers, researchers, and experts, are encouraged to contribute their insights.

Engagement Mechanisms

To facilitate comprehensive feedback, we recommend familiarising yourself with our resources, such as the full consultation paper or a simplified plain English summary, along with other relevant materials. These documents include guiding questions to direct your responses effectively.

Various channels are available for engaging with and providing feedback on the exposure draft:

1. Survey:

Participate and Complete the feedback survey available online, arranged by the Australian Government. This survey is live from 14 Dec 2023 to 16 Feb 2024.

2. Webinars:

– Upcoming Webinar: Register for the next Aged Care Act webinar on January 18, 2024, at 2 pm (AEDT). Follow this link for all updates related to this upcoming webinar.
– Past Webinar: Watch the recording of the New Aged Care Act and Support at Home program update webinar held on December 14, 2023.

3. Workshops and Drop-in Sessions:

Register your interest to participate in workshops or online drop-in sessions focused on topics important to you. Event details, locations, and registration forms will be available in January 2024.

4. Written Submissions or Questions:

Submit your written feedback or question by email or post no later than 6:00 pm AEDT on February 16, 2024. We can send your thoughts directly to the Government authority.

Reflecting on Past Consultation

In the period from August to September 2023, The Australian Government has conducted consultations on the foundational aspects of the new Aged Care Act. Engaging with older individuals, their families, and caregivers, as well as aged care providers, workers, and sector peak organisations, garnered feedback from:

1. 1. 1,330 participants in webinars
   2. Over 400 attendees at workshops and roundtables
   3. 291 respondents to our survey

This invaluable feedback significantly influenced the drafting of the Bill for the new Act. For further insights into the outcomes of this prior consultation, please visit Care360 or review our comprehensive feedback summary report.

For more information on Care360, please visit our website www.care360.com.au and to stay up-to-date with our latest news,  follow us on Facebook & Instagram