Nominations will open on 1 April 2018 and close at 5:00pm on 30 April 2018

The Australian Aged Care Quality Agency accredits and monitors Commonwealth-subsidised aged care services and conducts quality reviews of home care and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander flexible care services. The Quality Agency also promotes consumer-focused quality care through education and engagement activities and works to promote the best quality of care and safety for older Australians.

The new Aged Care Quality Standards will be introduced from July 2018 (subject to Government agreement and parliamentary processes) with a 12 month transition until July 2019. The new Standards will increase the focus on quality outcomes for consumers and make it easier for consumers, their families and representatives to understand what they can expect from a service. They will also make regulation simpler for providers and encourage innovation, excellence and continuous improvement.

Supporting the transition to the new Aged Care Quality Standards is a key priority for the Quality Agency in 2018. The Quality Agency is working with consumers, providers and other key stakeholders to assist service providers to comply and help consumers to understand the new Aged Care Quality Standards.

The Quality Agency’s vision is for a world-class aged care system driven by empowered consumers who enjoy the best possible quality of life. The 2018 Better Practice Awards provide an opportunity to recognise and showcase better practice, innovation and excellence across Australia’s aged care sector with an increased focus on the consumer.