The department released the final draft of the Aged Care Rules on 31 July 2025. These are still subject to passage and Royal Assent of amending legislation currently before the Australian Parliament. They will then be considered by the Minister for Aged Care and...
The facts of Michael Stewart by his litigation guardian Carol Schwarzman v Metro North Hospital and Health Service are available in our earlier blog post (linked). In summary the health service admitted that as a consequence of his treatment at the hospital,...
By David McMullen and Ryan Hewitt Background The Retirement Villages Act 1992 (WA) (“RV Act”) gives the State Administrative Tribunal (SAT) jurisdiction to terminate a residence contract on application from a retirement village operator in limited circumstances, due...
The decision in Affinity Care Services Pty Ltd as Trustee for the Balmerino Australia Trust v National Disability Insurance Agency [2024] FCA 1314 serves as a salient reminder on providers to ensure that they engage sufficient administrative resources to respond to...
This new rights-based Act aims to address key recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The promise is that: ‘It will empower older people to exercise their rights when accessing, or seeking to access, Commonwealth-funded aged care...
Quicker Access to Services Additional funding will be allocated in the first two years of the new program to improve service delivery. By 1 July 2027, the program aims to reduce the average wait time for services to three months. New Classification System Under the...
The Bill implements 23 of 25 legislative changes arising from the Commonwealth Government’s 2023 response to the Attorney-General’s Department Privacy Act Review Report. The Bill lays the foundation for significant changes aimed at strengthening privacy protections...
Background – This has been a long time coming The Retirement Villages Amendment Bill 2024 (WA) passed through WA Parliament on on 5 November 2024. A significant reform to the retirement villages legislation in this state, the Bill (now Act) builds on past reforms such...
An overview of the key takeaway points for service providers can be found here. Commonwealth Response On Wednesday, 31 July 2024, the Commonwealth released its response to the Royal Commission Final Report. Of the 222 recommendations, 172 recommendations were...
The decision comes four years after the Health Services Union lodged an application for a 25% increase of wages across the board for an “under-valued, under-appreciated lifeblood of the care economy.” The pay rise follows the 15% increase to minimum wages awarded by...