Progress Report reveals wins but more to be done

by Danni Meredith, Sector Support Coordinator

Inspector-General of Aged Care, Natalie Siegel-Brown recently released a detailed Progress Report on the implementation of all 148 recommendations from the March 2021 report on the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. This summary highlights the achievements, the emerging challenges, and what should drive our focus for the future.

Achievements so far

As of the beginning of the year the Government has achieved the following in relation to the proposed 148 recommendations, 31 recommendations have been implemented, 54 advanced, and 53 partially progressed. A key milestone was the enactment of the Aged Care Act 2024, which establishes a rights-based, person-centred framework for care, though its full implementation is yet to occur.

• Workforce Investment: Targeted wage increases have improved staff retention and attracted new talent, especially where shortages were critical.
• Stronger Oversight: Streamlined complaints processes and new digital tools provide older people and their families with an opportunity to voice their concerns in a transparent manner and to seek resolution promptly.
• Funding Overhaul: Residential care now links funding to clinical quality and sustainability, rather than block funding, encouraging providers to invest in skilled staff and specialist services.

What are the emerging challenges?

• Home Care Access Delays: Ever increasing waitlists for in-home support risk delaying much-needed early intervention, burdening our already stretched hospital system, forcing older people to enter residential aged care facilities earlier than they intended, or die, whilst waiting.
• Co-Payment Barriers: Fees for non-clinical services such as social activities may deter older people from staying socially connected and healthy as they may be concerned about managing their budget.
• Cultural Safety for First Nations: Mainstreaming Indigenous services into larger providers threatens culturally tailored, community-controlled models. This is not aligned to the National Agreement on Closing the Gap which the government had previously endorsed.
• Remote and Rural services – the provision of services in these areas remains in dire need along with attracting and retaining a qualified workforce.
• System Gaps with NDIS: Lack of alignment between aged care and disability supports can leave people juggling two separate systems.

The Inspector General’s Key focus points for the future

1. Clarify and communicate care entitlements so everyone knows what they can expect.
2. Remove or subsidise fees for non-clinical services to ensure the wellbeing of older people living in our communities.
3. Safeguard culturally appropriate models of care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples as a one size model does not fit all. The importance of culturally safe care is reinforced within the policy brief, “Measuring what really matters for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples: racism and cultural safety in healthcare”.
4. Eliminate restrictive practices that undermine autonomy and crush the dignity of those we claim to support.
5. Incorporate a seniors’ dental benefits scheme into aged care.
6. Integrate aged care and NDIS pathways to deliver a harmonised, equitable service.

Whether you are a service provider shaping the future of care or someone receiving support, these highlights underscore the shared goal: a fair, high-quality aged care system that honours rights, boosts wellbeing, and leaves no one behind.

Whilst the Government has more work ahead of them, one thing is abundantly clear. It will require an approach that focuses upon continuous improvement and underpinned by the collaborative efforts of consumers, aged care sector, peak bodies, to achieve an equitable, culturally appropriate aged care reform can become a reality.

Click here to access the full report, media release and summarised factsheets.