Frequently Asked Questions: Residential Aged care changes effective 1 October 2022
These Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) provide information on the implementation of the Aged Care Reform Package and the changes for residential aged care residents, including members of the veteran community.
These FAQs may be updated from time to time as required.
What is changing in residential aged care
On 1 October 2022, the Australian Government introduced the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) funding model. This was part of the aged care reforms to provide higher quality and safer care for older Australians, in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The AN-ACC funding model for residential aged care facilities replaced the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI), which ceased on 30 September 2022.
What is the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) care funding model
The AN-ACC funding model is designed to provide more equitable funding to Government-funded residential aged care facilities to meet the care needs of people living in residential aged care.
Under AN-ACC, each resident is assigned one of 13 AN-ACC classes based on their assessed care needs. The AN-ACC class will decide part of the funding a residential aged care provider receives to meet the individual care needs of residents.
Residents will also get more care time from registered nurses, enrolled nurses and personal care workers, as part of the Government’s commitment to improving access to direct clinical care for people living in residential aged care facilities.
Further information can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Will the care and services in my residential aged care home change from 1 October 2022
No. This change will not affect the care you receive or your current living arrangements. The residential aged care provider must continue to meet your care needs in accordance with their obligations under the Aged Care Act 1997 and the Quality Standards, as well as ensuring that the specified care and services detailed under Schedule 1 of the Quality Care Principles 2014 are provided to all residents who need them.
How will these changes affect residential respite services
New residential respite funding arrangements were also introduced on 1 October 2022. This is separate to the AN-ACC funding model but operate in a similar way. The changes to residential respite funding will not impact on the care being delivered to respite care recipients.
Further information can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Will there be a reduction in the level of DVA-funded services in residential aged care as a result of this change
There will be no reduction in the level of DVA-funded services in residential aged care as a result of these changes.
What if I am moving into residential aged care
If you are looking to move into residential aged care you still need to have an eligibility assessment by the Aged Care Assessment Team (ACAT) or if in Victoria the Aged Care Assessment Service (ACAS) to determine the level of care you need. This assessment will identify options for you and your family. You will be provided with a letter detailing your eligibility for entry into residential aged care and the level of care you have been approved to receive to meet your needs.
If you are approved for residential aged care, your aged care provider will arrange for you to do an AN-ACC assessment to help determine your AN-ACC class based on your care needs. The AN-ACC assessment will occur after you have commenced living in residential aged care.
What is involved in an AN-ACC assessment
Assessments will be undertaken by specially trained assessors (either registered nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists) with at least five-years’ experience working in aged care, who have completed approved AN-ACC assessment training and comply with continuing professional development requirements.
As part of the assessment process, the independent assessor will ask you a few questions about the things you can or cannot do by yourself. The assessor may also speak with staff and use other information to complete the assessment including observations, resident’s notes and care plans.
Further information can be found on the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Can I access residential aged care to receive palliative care
The AN-ACC funding model provides a special class, AN-ACC class 1, for eligible residents who enter a residential aged care facility to receive planned palliative care when at, or near, end-of-life. This includes residents who transfer from residential respite care to permanent residential care at the same facility. People who enter a residential aged care facility for the purposes of receiving palliative care are not required to do an assessment, if they meet the eligibility requirements.
For further information, see:
- the palliative care fact sheet
- the Department of Health and Aged Care website.
Will I be able to access DVA-funded equipment and services if I am living in residential aged care
Yes. The facility is responsible for meeting your care needs. We can provide allied health care and aids and equipment to supplement the care and services you get from your aged care home, as long as there is no duplication. Where an aged care facility is funded to provide an aid or appliance, it is expected to do so. DVA does not seek to duplicate these arrangements.
Will I have to move aged care homes if my care needs change
No, since 1 July 2014, all residents in residential aged care have been provided with services on an ‘ageing in place’ basis. If you are a permanent resident, you will have the right to indefinite residence, unless the conditions are met for asking a resident to leave residential aged care as set out in the User Rights Principles made under the Aged Care Act 1997. This will not change.
Will I still be able to access aids and appliances through the Rehabilitation Appliances Program (RAP) from 1 October 2022
Eligible veterans and war widow(er)s living in residential aged care should not have any reduction to the aids and appliances they can access. Aged care facilities are responsible for meeting their residents’ care needs. Where an aged care facility is funded to provide an aid or appliance, it is expected to do so. DVA does not seek to duplicate these arrangements.
DVA will not cover items that the aged care home is funded to provide. If an aged care facility is unable to provide a clinically required aid or appliance, for example, personalised or customised aids, DVA will consider these on a case by case basis.
For more information please see;
Will these changes affect my access to DVA funded allied health services that I receive from 1 October 2022
From 1 October 2022, eligible DVA clients in residential aged care facilities (RACFs) will be able to access clinically required DVA-funded allied health care services regardless of their care classification. DVA funded allied health care services cannot duplicate what the facility is already funded to provide. DVA funded allied health care services delivered in RACFs are subject to the Treatment Cycle arrangements. For more information please see
Where can I find more information about the Aged Care Reforms
Further information on the Aged Care Reform changes can be accessed from the Department of Health and Aged Care website or by contacting the My Aged Care contact centre on phone number 1800 200 422 between 8.00am and 8.00pm on weekdays and between 10.00am and 2.00pm on Saturdays.
Where can I find out more information about DVA services
General enquires relating to veterans services can be directed to the Veterans Access Network (VAN) on:
- Metro Phone: 133 254 * or Regional Phone: 1800 VETERAN (1800 838 372) *
- DVA Website.
*Calls from mobile phones and pay phones may incur additional charges.