Expanding the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program
Between January and June 2024, we consulted widely on expanding the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program). The QI Program collects information from residential aged care services on 11 quality indicators across critical areas of care. This helps monitor and improve the quality of services for older people living in residential care.
In this consultation we asked for feedback on adding 3 new quality indicators. They covered enrolled nursing, allied health and lifestyle services.
We heard from a range of people and organisations including:
- aged care providers
- aged care residents
- workforce organisations and unions
- peak bodies for nursing, allied health and lifestyle services
- technology providers.
We received feedback from:
- 110 people who completed a survey
- 24 written responses to our public consultation paper
- 900+ people who attended webinars.
We also received feedback through a 6-week pilot in March with 69 residential aged care services. The services were:
- from various states and territories
- of varying service sizes and types.
Thank you to everyone who got involved. Insights from this consultation will help us develop how the new indicators will work.
What we heard
Overall, people supported adding 3 quality indicators to the QI Program for nursing, allied health and lifestyle services. They viewed it as a positive step towards recognising the value that enrolled nurses, allied health professionals and lifestyle officers bring to the aged care sector.
Key findings
Participants agreed:
- care minutes data from the Quarterly Financial Report is a useful snapshot for service providers
- Quarterly Financial Reporting data is already collected, so is well understood by service providers. Using it for new quality indicators is a useful way to view information already reported through a quality improvement lens
- care minutes are a useful overview of an aged care home's current care practices
- a quality indicator for allied health should consider aged care residents' diverse and changing allied health care needs
- there is limited international evidence around lifestyle quality indicators -- Australia can lead the way in this area.
What we're doing
Feedback received from the consultation and pilot will inform the government's decision on what indicators will be introduced when we expand the QI Program.
We will update our website soon with information about when the new QIs will start and how they will work.
You can subscribe to the aged care sector newsletters and alerts to get regular updates.
Find out more about the QI Program consultation on our website.
Let's change aged care, together
Every Australian should feel confident about accessing high quality and safe aged care, when and where they need it.
The changes mean Older people will have greater choice and control, services that respect and meet their needs, and support to stay independent as they age.
To find out more and help design the changes, visit the Get Involved page or call 1800 318 209.