A surprise government requirement for formal service agreements with all Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) recipients has thrown Australia’s aged care sector into crisis, just weeks before the new Aged Care Act takes effect.
Ageing Australia warns that the eleventh-hour mandate will leave hundreds of thousands of seniors without essential services as providers scramble to create individual contracts with every client—something never previously required and for which guidelines haven’t even been finalised.
“Being ready for the new Act was already near impossible, but this new decision crosses the line, making it truly impossible,” said Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson.
“The goal posts have been moved. This new requirement has come out of nowhere, was called for by nobody and there has been no consultation.”
The new rule affects over 830,000 older Australians who receive community support services—many of whom only access occasional transportation to medical appointments or weekly meal deliveries. Providers must now negotiate formal agreements with each recipient by 1 July, despite lacking final guidance on what these agreements must contain.
“More than 830,000 older Australians will be left in limbo unless something changes urgently. There will be widespread confusion for community care recipients, their families and providers alike, with a very real risk that hundreds of thousands of older people will miss out on the vital services they require,” Symondson warned.
The organisation is particularly concerned about vulnerable seniors who may avoid seeking help when faced with additional paperwork and formalities. “The interaction with the system is very small for a large number of older people receiving services under the CHSP, but critical in keeping them independent and living in their own homes. Additional red tape and unnecessary, formal agreements will likely make many avoid services altogether, including those most in need,” explained Symondson.
Providers have already been struggling to implement extensive system overhauls and new infrastructure before the 1 July deadline. Ageing Australia is calling for a 12-month transition period and exemptions for small rural providers if the government insists on maintaining the new requirement.
Related: Groups demand immediate introduction of aged care act
Ritchelle is a Content Producer for Healthcare Channel, Australia’s premier resource of information for healthcare.
