Tick Tock: Are the new Quality Standards going to be released on time?

After a few false starts, it’s not unreasonable to wonder if the new ‘strengthened’ Aged Care Quality Standards are set for release still as planned, or if there have been further delays.

Hello Leaders contacted the Department of Health and Aged Care to provide our readers with a current update.

The Department of Health and Aged Care’s spokesperson told hello leaders the following:

• The final draft of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards was approved by the Government and published on the Department of Health and Aged Care’s website in December 2023
• This final draft is being used to translate the strengthened Quality Standards into law under the new Aged Care Act. While some changes are expected between now and the release of the final draft of the Aged Care Act, the Department expects only minor adjustments to ensure consistency with language in the legislation
• Providers will need to meet the requirements under the strengthened Quality Standards at the commencement of the new Aged Care Act.

Update: Are there any further delays?

As per the latest update in the 2024 Budget, the strengthened Quality Standards will be implemented in line with the new Aged Care Act. This is expected to be on July 1, 2025, subject to parliamentary processes.

The Department told hello leaders they plan for this date to be aligned with the launch of the new Support at Home program. 

What support are providers receiving?

As highlighted by the Department, they are working closely with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) to implement the strengthened Quality Standards under the new Act. They said this is so the “sector has access to the information they need to understand the changes and support implementation of the strengthened Quality Standards”.

Key areas of support mentioned by the Department include the early publication of the final draft in December 2023 “to help give providers time to familiarise themselves with the strengthened expectations and support sector readiness” and the release of draft guidance materials in 2024. 

The ACQSC also published videos plus a series of factsheets and other resources to support providers and workers.

Will there be a grace period like in the past? 

While providers do have a depth of resources to call upon, there is still one notable challenge: they have to meet the requirements under the strengthened Quality Standards on the commencement of the new Aged Care Act.

There is no grace period.

“This is why the Department published the final draft of the strengthened Quality Standards in December 2023 and the ACQSC published the draft guidance material for the strengthened Quality Standards on 6 February 2024 to help give providers time to familiarise themselves with the strengthened expectations and support sector readiness,” the Department told hello leaders. 

“The ACQSC has consulted widely on the development of draft guidance and a range of tools, including an evidence mapping framework and audit methodology, to support the anticipated implementation of the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.”

The ACQSC is reviewing all feedback and incorporating it into its guidance and resources. Once this process is finalised, a report will be published on the ACQSC’s website.

This leaves providers with less than a year to prepare for the new Quality Standards with the expectation that they are fully compliant from their first day of implementation. 

Providers will also be preparing for a new Aged Care Act and some will be transitioning to the new Support At Home program. A busy period lies ahead as the sector counts down to the key reform dates while wondering if any additional delays are possible.