Your monthly update from The Grampians Sector Development Team!
AGED CARE SECTOR
Aged Care Worker Wages Stage 3 guidance documentation
The Department of Health and Aged Care have released some guidance documentation for aged care providers relating to Stage 3 of the Fair Work Commission Aged Care Work Value Case.
The Fair Work Commission's Stage 3 decision in the Aged Care Work Value Case includes:
Award wage increases of 3% for 'general and administrative services' employees employed under the Aged Care Award 2010 (Aged Care Award). - Level 2 laundry staff, cleaners, and food services assistants will receive a 6.96% award wage increase in total due to being reclassified to Level 3.
Further award wage increases for direct care aged care employees employed under the Aged Care Award and employees under the new Schedule F of the Social, Community, Home Care, and Disability Services Industry Award 2010 (SCHADS Award).
Aged care assistant in nursing/nursing assistants will move from the Nurses Award 2020 (Nurses Award) to the Aged Care Award and the new Schedule F Guidance on aged care wage increase Stage 3, Tranche 1 3 of the SCHADS Award, depending on whether they are working in residential aged care or home care
Funding Boost for Meals Services – 2024/25
The Department has announced a funding boost for CHSP for Meals Services. The Department acknowledges the inflation and high overhead costs, and as such will provide a 10% top-up in 2024-25 meals.
From December 2024, the Department will make a one-off payment to CHSP providers who are funded for the ‘Meals’ services.
Providers will not need to do anything to receive this funding, you will receive a Notice of Change that details the change in funding.
Regional, Rural and Remote Home Care Workforce Support
The Regional, Rural and remote home care workforce support program manual and grant opportunity are now live on the Departments website and grant connect.
There is also a summary pagefor the recent changes.
These include alterations regarding Aged Care reforms, Single Assessment System, clarification around DEX reporting for Meals services, Specialised Support Services out of scope activities and quality arrangements.
Innovate for Impact Framework
Pillar 2 Creative Leadership
“Creative leaders who foster creativity and can easily adapt to change, are the key to unlocking the potential within your people”
Please find some further information below on how leaders can foster creativity and how to constructively push back against the status quo.
On Monday 25 November 2024 the Australian Government’s Aged Care Bill passed Parliament. This means the new Aged Care Act will start from 1 July 2025. A new Act will bring a range of improvements for older people including:
a new regulatory model
strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
a Statement of Rights for older people
easier entry and access to services.
Older people and their supporters will have a greater say and a more independent voice about the care and services they receive. This includes protections to speak up when they’re not satisfied and better equipping providers to handle complaints effectively. The Department of Health and Aged Care continues toconsult on the Aged Care Rulesand will be working closely with aged care providers and workers to allow for a smooth transition from 1 July 2025. Read what thenew law means for youand theMinister for Aged Care's media release.
Aged Care Reforms - A guide for Providers
The Department of Health and Aged Care have updated the Age Care Reforms - A Guide for Providers document (11 November 2024).
This booklet gives providers of in-home aged care and residential aged care an overview of what reforms will impact them, as well as how they can access support and have their say about the reforms.
The Department have released details of the providers under the new Single Assessment Service, which has commenced on 9th December 2024. The Grampians Region is located within the Vic 3 catchment, also including Loddon-Mallee and Barwon-South West regions.
As organisations settle into these roles, the Grampians Sector Development Team are keen to work with them and provide opportunities for Service Providers and Assessment organisations to come together and learn from each other. Watch this space for more information in early 2025.
Staged Pricing for Support At Home
The Australian Government is staging the introduction of price caps on services in the new Support at Home program.
From1 July 2025, providers will continue to set their own prices for Support at Home services, as they do currently in the Home Care Packages (HCP) Program. This will support service continuity for providers and participants. A pooled approach to care management, based on 10% of ongoing Support at Home classification funding, will still start from 1 July 2025.
From1 July 2026, government set price caps will apply.
The government will introduce additional consumer protections to monitor prices and ensure pricing is fair during the transition year (1 July 2025 to 1 July 2026), in addition to existing Consumer Confidence Protections. During early 2025, the government will consult and share further information on pricing with older people, families, carers and the sector.
From April 2025, the government expects that providers will begin discussions with home care recipients around service agreements for Support at Home, including pricing. Recipients will need to agree to any pricing changes before the new program starts from 1 July 2025.
Changing aged care for the better – new website section
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission have just released a new section of their website dedicated to the changes that will take place with the introductions of the new Aged Care Act in July 2025.
One couple’s journey of accessing in-home aged care services
The Grampians Sector Development Team and Val’s LGBTI Ageing & Age Care have produced a new Case Study resource called:
Diversity & inclusion, dignity & respect. One couple’s journey of accessing in-home aged care services.
This Case Study outlines the experiences of Garry and Les, a couple navigating and accessing in-home aged care services. Their story and experiences provide an important reminder that all consumers have the right to receive respectful and dignified aged care services, that meet their individual needs and diverse life experiences, which are safe, welcoming and inclusive.
You can listen to Garry and Les's Case Study via audio provided then use the accompanying case study to consider inclusive service principles and strengthen consumer-centred care in relation to diversity and inclusion.
Pauline and Natalie along with Garry presented this case study at the 2025 Invox CHSP National Conference in Melbourne on the 4 December. Congratulations to everyone involved.
Addressing Diversity & Wellness in the
Strengthened Quality Standards series recordings
The Grampians Sector Development Team in conjunction with the Eastern Sector Support and Development Team (EACH) and the SSD Connect Alliance have developed some amazing case studies for CHSP service providers to understand how to address Diversity and Wellness within the Strengthened Quality Standards.
The case studies developed as part of a webinar series explore the need to address diversity and wellness within the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. These case studies provide good practice approaches to specific situations, highlight the breadth of diversity within each person and the need for inclusive and person-centred practice to be embedded throughout the organisation.
Reflective questions have been developed to support service providers discuss the issues raised in the case studies with their staff and volunteers, at team meetings or as part of individual learning.
You can access these case studies and recordings at:Regional Projects
GENERAL
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.
If you have any feedback, questions or concerns regarding any of the information above, please reach out to us on the contact details below.
Melanie Perks
Sector Support & Development Manager
0409 945 301
melaniep@bchc.org.au
Sector Development Team
sectordevelopment@bchc.org.au
www.csdgrampians.org.au
Jimmy Driscoll
Aboriginal Development Officer
0491 176 010
jimmyd@bchc.org.au
Natalie Millar
Regional Advisor - Sector Support & Development
0491 091 699
nataliem@bchc.org.au
Debra Giles
Administration Officer
0493 682 540
debrag@bchc.org.au
The Grampians Sector Development Team is auspiced by Ballarat Community Health, 12 Lilburne St, Lucas, VIC
