July aged care reforms spark concern over staffing, admin load

Aged care providers are warning they’re not prepared for a looming reform rollout, with a deadline of July 1, citing a lack of training, finalised rules, and official government guidance.

Your Lifestyle Centre Beenleigh chief executive Megan Zwart said time is running out before the July 1 aged care sector overhaul. Picture: Contributed

Australia’s aged care sector is raising alarms about a July 1 rollout of major federal reforms, with providers warning they are still unprepared due to a lack of final rules and official training.

Despite the Aged Care Act 2024 passing in November, aged care operators say critical information needed to implement the sweeping changes remains incomplete, creating uncertainty with just over a month to go.

The reforms include a new Aged Care Act, a Charter of Rights for care recipients, revised Quality Standards, and the replacement of the Home Care Package Program with the new Support at Home model, due to be fully integrated by July 2027.

While the federal Department of Health, Disability and Ageing insists it has provided extensive support, including guidance documents, grants, and forums, providers say they’re still in the dark about how to comply.

Your Lifestyle Centre Beenleigh chief executive Megan Zwart said time was running out.

“We’re being told the reforms are going ahead, but we still don’t have finalised rules or training,” Ms Zwart said.

“We have to advise clients of pricing changes by June 1, but we don’t even know for sure what system we’ll be working under.”

Providers may have to shift from a single funding stream to managing up to eight separate claims after the July 1 changes. Picture: Contributed

Under current draft advice, providers may have to shift from a single funding stream to managing up to eight separate claims, a change Ms Zwart said would be a major administrative burden.

She also expressed concern about rules limiting clients to a single provider, which could disrupt care arrangements unless urgent partnerships were formed.

“If someone needs restorative care or palliative support, we either need to deliver it ourselves or quickly line up other providers,” she said.

“We’re also racing to upskill staff in these areas.”

Compounding the pressure, providers were told last year that care and package management fees may be slashed from 30 per cent to 10 per cent under the new framework, a change that has yet to be confirmed.

Ms Zwart feared the combined effect of the changes could threaten service quality and viability for smaller operators.

She called on the incoming government to delay the rollout of Support at Home until January, while praising former minister Anika Wells for pushing the legislation through parliament.

The department has published a Provider Transition Guide which provides guidance on the actions providers should take to be operationally ready by July 1, with an update set to be published next month. Picture: Contributed

“The Act gives us much-needed direction, but the implementation timeline was never realistic,” she said.

“We’re being asked to overhaul systems, staffing and pricing with too many unknowns and this affects providers and the older Australians who depend on us.”

In a recent webinar, the department confirmed the July 1 rollout would proceed as planned.

A spokesman said support measures included a Provider Transition Guide, multiple editions of the Support at Home Program Manual, IT upgrade grants, and advice from local engagement teams.

“There are a range of guidance and training materials available, from the Prepare for the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home program web pages,” the spokesman said.

“The Provider Operational Readiness Priority Action list supports providers to understand across all materials what they need to do before and after July 1, to implement the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home program.

“The department has also published a Provider Transition Guide which provides guidance on the actions providers should take to be operationally ready.”

However, the department could not confirm when final training or documentation would be released.

Originally published as July aged care reforms spark concern over staffing, admin load