Aged care services fall under federal jurisdiction. The Commonwealth Government has announced the establishment of a new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner that will bring aged care regulation, compliance and complaints handling together. These reforms will include: developing options, in consultation with the aged care sector, for a Serious Incident Response Scheme to ensure the right systems are in place to identify an incident and prevent it from occurring again a performance rating against quality standards a user-friendly provider comparison tool on the My Aged Care website. Current system: Under the current system, the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency has responsibility for ensuring high quality care for people receiving Australian Government-subsidised aged care. Its functions include the accreditation of residential aged care services, conducting quality reviews of service providers, monitoring compliance with standards and promoting high quality care. The Aged Care Complaints Commission is a national organisation that has oversight over all complaints regarding aged care services. The Complaints Commission’s functions are to provide information, education and complaint resolution services across Australia. The Australian Government Department of Health Ageing and Aged Care oversees aged care funding and regulation. The Department has an internal feedback receipt mechanism. The Commonwealth Ombudsman provides oversight of the actions and decisions of Australian Government agencies including the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner. The National Aged Care Advocacy Program free, independent and ‘provides confidential advocacy support to older people (and their representatives) receiving, or seeking to receive, Australian Government funded aged care services’. Advocacy services are delivered through a network of nine state and territory organisations that make up the Older Persons Advocacy Network. In the aged care sector, advocates have a right of access to aged care facilities. Some states and territories also operate elder abuse helplines. Justice Correctional oversight systems vary across the different states and territories. State and territory government departments responsible for administering corrective services often have an internal complaints handling process. Prisoners can usually report complaints to prison officers or the superintendent. In some jurisdictions, prisoners can complain directly to the Attorney-General’s Department. Some jurisdictions’ corrections oversight landscape includes the role of a Custodial Inspector. Often, the functions of the Custodial Inspector are to conduct independent scrutiny, inspect, review and report on custodial centres.
Aged care services fall under federal jurisdiction. The Commonwealth Government has announced the establishment of a new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner that will bring aged care regulation, compliance and complaints handling together. These reforms will include: developing options, in consultation with the aged care sector, for a Serious Incident Response Scheme to ensure the right systems are in place to identify an incident and prevent it from occurring again a performance rating against quality standards a user-friendly provider comparison tool on the My Aged Care website. Current system: Under the current system, the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency has responsibility for ensuring high quality care for people receiving Australian Government-subsidised aged care. Its functions include the accreditation of residential aged care services, conducting quality reviews of service providers, monitoring compliance with standards and promoting high quality care. The Aged Care Complaints Commission is a national organisation that has oversight over all complaints regarding aged care services. The Complaints Commission’s functions are to provide information, education and complaint resolution services across Australia. The Australian Government Department of Health Ageing and Aged Care oversees aged care funding and regulation. The Department has an internal feedback receipt mechanism. The Commonwealth Ombudsman provides oversight of the actions and decisions of Australian Government agencies including the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner. The National Aged Care Advocacy Program ‘provides free, independent and confidential advocacy support to older people (and their representatives) receiving, or seeking to receive, Australian Government funded aged care services’. Advocacy services are delivered through a network of nine state and territory organisations that make up the Older Persons Advocacy Network. In the aged care sector, advocates have a right of access to aged care facilities. Some states and territories also operate elder abuse helplines. Justice Correctional oversight systems vary across the different states and territories. State and territory government departments responsible for administering corrective services often have an internal complaints handling process. Prisoners can usually report complaints to prison officers or the superintendent. In some jurisdictions, prisoners can complain directly to the Attorney-General’s Department. Some jurisdictions’ corrections oversight landscape includes the role of a Custodial Inspector. Often, the functions of the Custodial Inspector are to conduct independent scrutiny, inspect, review and report on custodial centres.
AHRC_report_VAPWD_2018.docx