Increasing Choice in Home Care - Stage 1 - Proposed changes to delegated legislation

Overview

Please note that the Government has entered a caretaker period. Policy decisions that bind a future Government will not be made during this period.  

However, the Department is proceeding to consult during this period so that if the incoming Government agrees to the proposed approach, implementation can occur as soon as possible.

Background

Australians are living longer and healthier lives and it is important that as people age, they have choice about their care. To support this objective, the Government announced significant reforms to home care as part of the Increasing Choice for Older Australians 2015‑16 Budget Measure. In the first stage, from 27 February 2017, funding for a home care package will follow the consumer.

Implementation of the measure requires amendments to both primary and delegated aged care legislation. The Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Increasing Consumer Choice) Act 2016 (the Amendment Act) is now in place. The Amendment Act amends the Aged Care Act 1997 and the Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 and allows the first stage of the home care reforms to commence on 27 February 2017.

Opportunity to have your say

The Department is now seeking comment on proposed amendments to the delegated legislation (Aged Care Principles and Determinations). A consultation paper and an exposure draft of the instruments listed below are currently available for feedback. The consultation paper provides further detail and explanation of the proposed amendments and seeks feedback on the implementation arrangements.

• Prioritised Home Care Recipients Principles 2016
• Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Increasing Consumer Choice) Principles 2016
• Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Amendment (Increasing Consumer Choice) Determination 2016
• Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) (Subsidy and Other Measures) Amendment (Increasing Consumer Choice) Determination 2016.

How to make a submission

1. Download and read the consultation paper and exposure drafts (under ‘Related Documents’ below). Please note that these documents are read-only.
2. Download and complete the submission template (under ‘Related Documents’ below).
3. Click on the ‘Make a submission’ link below and upload your completed submission (in .pdf, .doc or .docx format). Alternatively, if you are experiencing difficulties uploading, you can email your submission to: agedcarereformenquiries@health.gov.au.

Submissions will close at 5pm, 9 June 2016.

What Happens Next

The consultation period closed at 5pm, Thursday 9 June 2016. If you were unable to upload your submission by this time, you are welcome to email it to agedcarereformenquiries@health.gov.au. However, the Department cannot guarantee the consideration of late submissions.

The feedback from the consultation paper will be used to inform the final approach for the amendments to the delegated legislation.

To ensure the sector is supported through the transition, the Department will continue to collaborate with the aged care sector to co-design and deliver transition activities to ensure they are timely and that affected stakeholders receive the information needed to be ready for February 2017. 

The Increasing Choice in Home Care webpage will be regularly updated with information about the home care reforms.