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Three new staffing quality indicators added for residential aged care

The Australian government has announced the introduction of three new staffing quality indicators to the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program) for residential aged care.

The additions, scheduled to come into effect on April 1 2025, will reportedly focus on the positions of enrolled nurses, allied health workers, and lifestyle assistants, taking the number of quality indicators from 11 to 14.

The Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said the government will aim to further acknowledge the vital role of staff in providing high-quality residential aged care.

“The Albanese Government’s reforms are continuing to lift the standard of aged care. These new quality indicators recognise the value nurses, allied health, and lifestyle officers bring to aged care residents,” Minister Wells said.

“While it’s great to see improvements across the sector, our work continues to lift the quality of residential aged care in Australia. The new staffing quality indicators put the focus on key roles that support health and wellbeing.

“We are determined to ensure older people have high-quality care that safeguards their health and wellbeing as they age. Quality indicators are one important way we achieve this.”

Related stories: Latest data on care-minute shortfalls, minister and sector respond | Union alleges some aged cares reclassifying staff to meet care minutes | Home care quadrupled in the last decade

As it stands, the QI Program monitors the employment hours of registered and enrolled nurses, care management staff, assistants in nursing, and personal care staff under the 'workforce' umbrella.

Including these new quality indicators for enrolled nurses, allied health workers, and lifestyle assistants is a step forward in the recognition of their invaluable contribution to the health and wellbeing of residents.

Another reason cited for including them is in response to feedback that the mandatory 24/7 registered nurse requirements might lead to a decrease in the employment of such roles.

The Aged Care Minister has raised concerns surrounding significant care minute shortfalls in a recent open letter to the sector, with data revealing for-profit providers are complying at a "much lower" rate than not-for-profit facilities, and compliance is disproportionately low amongst metro providers when compared rural and remote areas.

As the Labor government's reforms continue to roll out, sector regulation is set to become even more rigorous. The QI Program has also launched a 12-week pilot to test the introduction of quality indicators into in-home aged care settings at the beginning of this month.

Read more: Union calls for worker penalties to be scrapped from new Act | Dementia drug rejected by TGA

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