A number of changes are underway from the Aged Care Royal Commission commitment to improve the aged care system.  

The vision for a stronger and more sustainable aged care sector will be achieved with new reforms. 

Here at Southcare we see these new reforms as an exciting and transformative time for aged care giving Southcare the opportunity to explore new and improved ways of service and care delivery to our customers, while operating within the new strengthened customer centric support at home program. 

We have established a Home Care Reform Committee to be reform ready. Meet your reform ready committee (L-R): Shila Shimkhada, Louise Fry, Mary Cullen-Pike, Enda Fahy, Suzanne Malone, Shelley Halton and Kathleen Sutherland (absent).

Our Committees 2 - Reform Ready

The committee leads the implementation of the home care reforms, broken down into three components:

Strengthened Provider Governance and Reporting  

Effective 1 Dec 2023 : Delivered 

  • New Reporting: Provider operations reporting and governance requirements have changed to give older Australians better access to information about providers (operational, clinical governance and workforce) and increase transparency.  
  • New Committees: Caring Hands Advisory Group and Quality Care Advisory Committee (link to learn more about these new committees) 

Strengthened Quality Care Standards  

Effective 1 July 2024 : In progress 

  • New Quality Care Standards: Aged Care Quality Standards are changing.  Currently there are 8 quality standards. This will change to 7 aligning to a strengthened aged care sector, delivery of care and new aged care act. 

Strengthened Customer Centric Care  

Two Staged Transition : In progress 

Stage 1 Effective 1 July 2025 

  • New Aged Care Act  
  • CHSP Grant Extension  
  • Single Assessment System : Effective 1 July 2024 
  • Support at Home Program for HCP : Effective 1 July 2025 
  • Single Provider Approach 
  • New Assistive Technology and Home Modification Program 

Stage 2 Effective from 1 July 2027 

  • Support at Home Program for CHSP 
  • Multi-provider approach 

 To learn more about the reforms and what this means for you at Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care website or contact us our caring hands are ready to help. 

Aged care reforms | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care 

Reforming in-home aged care | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care