New star rating system puts underperforming aged care homes in spotlight

The number of aged care homes failing to meet quality standards has been revealed by the new star rating system introduced on Friday.

One in 10 aged care homes are falling short of quality standards, the national star ratings system introduced on Friday has revealed.

Preliminary star ratings issued to aged care providers show that 10 per cent of services have received only a one-star or two-star rating out of five under a new system recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Aged care homes received an overall star rating and scores for four subcategories: compliance, residents’ experience, staffing and quality measures.

The ratings will be made public on the My Aged Care website within the next fortnight.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said the new ratings system was a “significant milestone” in the mission to improve Australia’s residential aged care sector.

“Star ratings provide a nationally consistent benchmark to monitor, compare and improve residential aged care services,” Ms Wells said.

“(The ratings will) provide Australians greater and more accessible choices regarding residential aged care.

“To achieve our shared goal of reforming aged care, providers need to embrace transparency and accountability and not make excuses.”

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells says service providers deserved time to discuss their rating with staff, residents and their families before it was publicly released.

Ms Wells said providers had been given their ratings first so they could discuss them with staff, residents and families before the information was publicly released.

“Star ratings allow residential aged care providers the opportunity for continuous, measurable improvement,” she said.

“My department and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will continue to work with providers that have services with low ratings.”