Serious Incident Response Scheme for in-home aged care services

Overview

The Serious Incident Response Scheme for residential aged care commenced on 1 April 2021. The SIRS sets new arrangements for residential aged care providers, including flexible care in a residential setting, to manage and take reasonable steps to prevent incidents, with a focus on the safety, health and well-being of aged care consumers.

As part of the 2021-22 Budget, the Australian Government announced funding to expand the SIRS to in-home aged care services from 1 July 2022.

In preparation for implementing the SIRS for in-home aged care services, the Department has undertaken preparatory work, including procuring a prevalence and options study which was completed in June 2021.  This study has informed development of a consultation paper that sets out the proposed operation of the scheme.

This consultation aims to assist in the development of specific design elements to expand the SIRS from residential aged care to a home setting.

Why your views matter

The consultation paper draws on the prevalence and options study and outlines issues and options for SIRS for in-home aged care services. The feedback received through consultation on this paper will be used to inform further advice to Government including how the SIRS should be operationalised for in‑home services including the legislative and resourcing implications.