Aged Care Worker Regulation Scheme Consultation

Closed 29 Jun 2020

Opened 18 May 2020

Contact

joe.forbes@health.gov.au

Results updated 21 May 2021

The Aged Care Worker Regulation Scheme Final Report is now available.  The Department wishes to thank all of those individuals and organisations that provided feedback to the consultation through the online survey.

Files:

Published responses

View submitted responses where consent has been given to publish the response.

Overview

Over the last five years, various inquiries and reports have recommended implementation of a worker screening or registration scheme in aged care. Most recently, the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety has been exploring this issue, with a focus on a registration scheme specific to personal care workers (PCWs).

Stakeholders have differing views about the problems that an aged care worker screening or registration scheme might address, the objectives of any such scheme, what the scheme would include and how such a scheme could be implemented.

A Consultation Paper has been developed to:

  • outline the objectives of any new worker screening or registration scheme
  • describe the existing regulation of aged care workers
  • identify the key issues that any worker screening or registration scheme could potentially address
  • describe models used in related sectors, such as health and disability
  • propose various features and options for a worker screening or registration scheme
  • seek feedback on the options and issues.

The Consultation Paper focuses on high level conceptual approaches to understand stakeholder preferences and concerns with any features of a potential model. It therefore does not include detailed implementation questions that would necessarily be considered before any scheme was introduced.

Why your views matter

The Department of Health is keen to consult widely and engage with as many individuals and organisations with an interest in aged care and the aged care workforce as possible. This includes engagement with:

  • consumers, their families and carers
  • aged care providers
  • key sector consumer and advocacy groups
  • staff of aged care organisations, health and disability services providers
  • State, Territory and other Commonwealth government stakeholders.

The Department seeks to ensure that the broadest possible range of individuals and organisations, including from urban, regional, rural and remote areas, can have their say about any new worker registration scheme.

You are invited to respond to the consultation questions in the Consultation Paper by completing an online survey. Alternatively, you can use the online survey form to upload a written submission. With your consent, your responses will be made publicly available.

Click on the link below to access the online survey.

Audiences

  • Seniors
  • Carers and guardians
  • Families
  • Non-government organisations
  • State government agencies
  • Commonwealth agencies
  • Health professionals
  • Health workforce
  • General public
  • Aged care service providers
  • Aged care workforce
  • Aged care professionals

Interests

  • Regulatory policy
  • Dementia
  • Home Care
  • Aged Care
  • Residential Aged Care
  • Short-Term Restorative Care