National aged and disability services reforms

A list of entry-level (RAS) assessment service providers can be found on the health.gov.au website at: 
https://www.health.gov.au/resources/publications/regional-assessment-service-organisations-by-state-and-territory-and-region?language=en 

• Your new assessment provider should contact you within the first 2 weeks of July to discuss your assessment and schedule an appointment.
• RAS assessments should typically be undertaken within 28 days of the referral being sent. We expect there may be some small delays due to the changes in contracting arrangements. Your assessment provider should contact you to let you know when you can expect to be assessed.
• If you do not hear from an assessment provider within this timeframe, please contact My Aged Care on 1800 200 422.

• If you need urgent access to services, please call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422. They will be able to refer you for urgent services where required.
• There are no changes to aged care eligibility requirements or requirements for referrals to urgent services.

At a Council meeting in April 2024, Council endorsed exiting the State Government's Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC PYP) by 31 December 2024, due to significant sector reforms introduced by the Commonwealth Government relating to provision of aged and disability care services, including home based support.

Council will work with the Victorian Government Department of Health (DoH) to find a suitable alternative provider to deliver HACC PYP funded services to meet the changing and more complex needs of our residents who require home and community care into the future. Council will work with the Victorian Government and the selected provider to ensure all current clients are supported to transition to the new service provider by 31 December 2024.

The services that will transition to the new provider are funded to support residents aged 64 years of age and under, or 49 years of age and under for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents. These include HACC PYP funded:

• Domestic Assistance
• Personal Care
• Shopping
• Respite Care
• Home maintenance
• Meals on Wheels
• Community Transport

The Victorian Government will select and appoint the new provider to deliver these services on the Mornington Peninsula. The Shire will continue to deliver services to clients until the 31 December 2024.This will provide time for the new provider to establish services to support current clients as they transition across with council’s support.

The Australian Government has been implementing a significant national reform of the aged and disability service systems which is changing the way services will be funded and delivered to better support people to remain in their homes and communities in the future.  

Council is currently funded by the Victorian Government to deliver a small amount of services under the Home and Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC PYP).

Council has been giving serious consideration to the significant impacts of these ongoing reforms on Councils ability to continue to provide services on behalf of the Victorian Government. These include the increasing complexity of community support need, the declining demand for Councils HACC PYP services due to changing client needs, the role of NDIS, and the increasing cost of service delivery.

Mornington Peninsula Shire Council, like many other Victorian Councils, has explored the changing service environment and reviewed current services to determine the potential impacts on service delivery, including the community’s ability to access quality in home care services.

Demand for HACC PYP funded services that can respond to complex community need has resulted in eligible residents seeking out service providers other than Council to best meet their needs. This has led to steadily declining need for these services through Council.

Council has determined the best way forward for the community is to have the Victorian Government appoint a new provider to deliver HACC PYP services across the Peninsula.

Exiting at this time provides Council with the opportunity to influence future service provision to best support the Mornington Peninsula community. HACC PYP services will continue to be available to eligible Mornington Peninsula residents through the Victorian Government by allocating the available funding to the selected service provider.

Council is taking a considered and responsible approach to changes in the care sector to ensure clients and the broader community have access to local services that are responsive, affordable and of a high quality to support and enable members of our community to remain living safely at home.

Following Council endorsement in April 2024, Council provided notification to the Victorian Government of the intention to transition out of HACC PYP services. Existing clients, staff and volunteers were also informed of Council’s decision at this time.

The Victorian Government will select and appoint the new provider for these services.

Council is currently working with the Victorian Government to provide them with information and advice that will help in their consideration of the appointment of a new provider who will take over these services from Council, on behalf of Government. The services are not being privatised by Council.

There will be no change to current service delivery during the selection and transition period.

Council remains committed to continuing services to eligible residents until the new provider is appointed and commences service delivery from the 31 December 2024. We will provide updates throughout the change process and will be supporting clients as they transition to the new provider.

There will be no immediate changes to the current services offered to clients.  The transition of service delivery will occur by 31 December 2024.

Council officers will continue to work with all clients, the Victorian Governments and the new provider to transfer clients across, ensuring services commence on or by 31 December 2024.

Clients do not need to do anything; current clients will not need to find a new provider.

Council is committed to providing regular updates to our clients throughout the change process and our team will be available to assist clients and carers with any questions or inquiries.

Council officers will be in contact with all current clients to provide information that is specific to their circumstances and regularly as further information becomes available.

Once the new provider is selected by the Victorian Government and commences service delivery, Council delivered services will cease, and current clients will begin receiving these services from the new provider. Our clients will be informed and supported through the change process and Council team members will be available to answer questions and inquiries at any time.

There should be minimal changes.

Services are to be delivered under the same Quality Standards that Council works to. Other service providers may have different ways of supporting service delivery. It is anticipated any changes would be positive.

The delivery of services under the HACC PYP must be compliant with the Victorian Governments fees policy and schedule.

There will be no immediate change to staffing or volunteering.  Shire staff and volunteers are valued members of our team.

When Council delivered HACC PYP services stop, staff and volunteers will be fully supported, and all employer obligations will be met.

The Shire will continue to deliver services to all clients until at least 31 December 2024, or when the new Victorian Government appointed provider is in place. Staff and volunteers will be retained to ensure Council can continue to deliver services until this time. Clients will be provided with resources and supports to assist them to continue in the aged and disability sector into the future. 

The changing disability sector is shifting Council’s role from one of service delivery to one of supporting, advocating, and planning to make sure people with disability or chronic illness, and their carer’s, continue to enjoy continued independence and active participation in our community. This includes:

• supporting residents to access required services through a Community Connector program,
• advocating for the needs of residents with disability to all levels of Government
• building an inclusive and friendly environment and community,
• Creating accessible environments, places and spaces, and
• continuing to strengthen the current variety of programs, supports and initiatives for residents of all ages and abilities, such as:
  • hosting the Disability Advisory Committee,
  • creating accessible recreation areas across the Peninsula,
  • providing accessible parking and changing places toilets,
  • participating in the Master Locksmiths Access Key, and
  • participating in the Hidden Disabilities Sunflower programs.

For further information contact Louise Jolly, Team Leader Early Years & Community Care

T: 0422 970 555

E: community.care@mornpen.vic.gov.au

• Working together to deliver the NDIS
• Commonwealth aged care reforms and reviews
• Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety
• Final Report of the Royal Commission into Violence, Abuse, Neglect and Exploitation of People with Disability

Update on reforms in aged care, community care services for younger residents and NDIS

The current and emerging sector reforms across the aged care, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and community care for younger residents’ sector is complex and evolving. Throughout key milestones of the reform, the Shire will provide updates to keep the community informed and provide context and understanding of the key considerations for Council as the reforms progress.

The Update Community Sector Report(PDF, 133KB) provides readers with background information on when the reforms were initiated, and describes the responsibilities and roles of local, state and federal governments. A summary of the key messages within the report are:

• The community services reforms in aged care, National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and community care services for younger residents are led by state and federal government.
• The reforms across the sector are welcomed to ensure high quality and regulated care for older people and residents with a disability.
• The aged care reform is ambitious and it is being rolled out over a five-year programme of change.
• Moving forward the reforms will offer the community greater choice and control in the services they receive.
• As a local government Mornington Peninsula Shire has and continues to provide feedback to state and federal government about where we believe there are challenges or opportunities. This is a really important role we need to continue to do to support the intent of the reform to achieve a higher quality of services available to the community and greater choice.
• We will continue through the changing landscape to meet the needs of the community through community connection, planning, advocacy and support to the community.
• As a trusted advisor to the community, we will continue to help them navigate the system.
• Through our positive ageing, inclusion and wellbeing programs we continue to provide a broad range of activities and support to our community.

Download: Update Community Sector Report(PDF, 133KB)

In-home support for Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) residents aged 65 years and older, or 50 years and older for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander, is provided by Bolton Clarke and mecwacare. Home Support Assessors will talk to residents about these providers at the time of their assessment. Services covered under in-home support include:

• Domestic Assistance - cleaning, unescorted shopping
• Personal Care - showering
• Respite Care
• Shopping Assistance
• Home Maintenance

The Shire will continue to deliver the full range of services to Home & Community Care Program for Younger People (HACC-PYP) clients who are 64 and under or 49 and under for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander residents.

Download: Statement from the Mayor - August 2022(PDF, 172KB)(PDF, 172KB)

The Commonwealth Government has appointed two new providers to deliver in-home care to Peninsula residents under the Commonwealth Home Support Program.

In light of the National Aged Care Reforms introduced by the Commonwealth Government the Shire will no longer be a provider of in-home support services from 1 July 2022. 

These services will now be delivered by mecwacare and Bolton Clarke (formerly the Royal District Nursing Service).

The services to be delivered by the new providers are for residents aged over 65 and Aboriginal and Torres strait Islander residents aged over 50. The services include:

• Domestic Assistance
• Personal Care
• Shopping Assistance
• Respite Care
• Home Maintenance (this service will be provided solely by mecwacare).

We have written to all clients of the home support program asking them to tell us which of the new providers they prefer.

Shire staff who currently deliver the services will continue to do so until 30 June. We expect some staff will transition to the new provider and continue in their roles. 

If you have further questions, please contact Charlene Pereira, Team Leader Aged & Disability Services.

• Phone - 03 5950 1709
• Email - community.care@mornpen.vic.gov.au

A message from Mayor Anthony Marsh

We are working closely with the Commonwealth Government and the new providers to ensure the changeover goes smoothly. Current services will remain in place until the change is complete and we expect there to be minimal disruption to care.

I would like to thank all clients of our in-home services for their patience during the move to a new national system of in-home aged care delivery. The Commonwealth Government’s Aged Care Reform is aimed at giving Australians a choice in providers, and easier access to a broad range of services.

With a new model of service delivery due to begin nationally in June next year, transitioning to new providers now gives our community the best chance at securing quality service providers under the new model.

In December 2021 Council advised the Commonwealth Government to seek alternate providers for the delivery of some Commonwealth funded In-Home services for eligible residents over the age of 65 and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders residents over the aged of 50.

The Commonwealth Government will now source a new provider to deliver the following services:

• Domestic Assistance
• Personal Care
• Shopping Assistance
• Respite Care
• Home Maintenance

From 1 July 2022 a new Commonwealth appointed service provider(s) will deliver these services to all eligible residents with Council supporting a seamless transition to a new provider.

The Shire will continue to provide Regional Assessment Services, Meals on Wheels and Dial-A-Bus services.

Shire staff who currently deliver the services will continue to do so until 30 June 2022, or when the new Commonwealth-appointed provider(s) is in place.

It is anticipated some staff will continue working in the aged care sector with any new provider(s).

Clients of the service will not experience any gap in the service provided. 

On 1 December 2020 the Shire  entered into a partnership with mecwacare to deliver in-home services, including domestic assistance, personal care, respite care and shopping support, to new clients over the age of 65.

mecwacare has extensive experience delivering in-home services across Victoria with community care and residential facilities in Mornington, Safety Beach and Shoreham. mecwacare employs local people with local area knowledge and established community connections, offering great opportunities and support for residents.

In-home services to existing clients over 65 years of age, as well as Meals on Wheels, Home Maintenance, Community Transport and Positive Ageing Programs will continue to be provided by the Shire. All services to people under 65 years of age with an assessed need will continue to be delivered by the Shire.

More information aboutmecwacare

In response to recent Commonwealth Government reforms of aged care, at the Council meeting on Tuesday 10 December Council made the decision to continue providing home care, personal care and respite care. Current clients will continue receiving services as usual from Mornington Peninsula Shire. 

The Shire is committed to continuing to provide services for existing clients, ensuring continuity of care and workforce stability.

During 2020, Council will be seeking to partner with another organisation to provide home care, personal care and respite care services to new clients only from July 2020, providing a gradual transition to the new aged care system.

Meals on Wheels, Home Maintenance, Community Transport and Positive Ageing Programs will continue to be provided as usual.

This model ensures continuity of care for clients, workforce stability and is the best available option to transfer to the new aged care system with the best possible outcome for older residents.

The Shire will support older residents to navigate the increasingly complex aged care and disability systems to ensure they are able to access appropriate services.

For more information:

• Phone us on 5950 1617
• Email us at community.care@mornpen.vic.gov.au

In 2020, the Commonwealth Government intends to introduce an open market aged care system where there will be a range of providers available and clients will be able to choose who they receive their services from.

In response to this new system, all Councils across Victoria will need to ensure that they can respond appropriately to these changes. 

The Shire will therefore be undertaking a Request for Proposal (RFP) and community engagement exercise over the next few months to ensure all options can be considered by Council in the lead up to the transition of funding arrangements in 2020.

The Shire is committed to ensuring continuity of care for clients as these changes are introduced. Services will continue as normal during this period and we will keep clients and community informed throughout the process.

The services included in the information gathering exercise include:

• Domestic Assistance
• Personal Care
• Respite Care
• Social Support – Individual (Shopping Assistance)

The following services are not included in the RFP:

• Meals on Wheels
• Assessment
• Home maintenance
• Community Transport
• Seniors Clubs
• Positive Ageing

Council is not obligated to proceed with appointing a new service provider at the conclusion of the RFP process.

To inform this process, in March 2019 Council commenced a three month consultation process to engage with current clients of councils aged care services, older residents and their carers living in the Shire and other interested people including health and aged care providers.

Council invited all interested stakeholders to contribute their feedback and advice by telephone, email, letter and by participating in consultation sessions conducted throughout the Shire in April 2019.

The outcomes from the consultation will be presented to Council for their consideration of the best way to transition from the current to future aged care system and the best role for the Shire to play in supporting older residents. Clients and community members will be regularly informed and involved throughout this process.

Further information and consultation opportunities will be available over the coming months and we look forward to working closely with you as we prepare to respond to the changes emerging from the Aged Care Reform

If you have any questions/would like more information or you would like to give us your views, please do not hesitate to phone us on 5950 1688 or email community.care@mornpen.vic.gov.au