Submissions and reports

Feedback provided on the refresh of the National Strategic Framework for Chronic Conditions

The current Aged Care Quality Standards (current Standards) were introduced on 1 July 2019. In response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Department of Health and Aged Care (the Department) has reviewed the current Standards and developed the draft strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (strengthened Quality Standards). The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards will replace the current Standards.

A quick summary of our thoughts on the National Disability Insurance Scheme Amendment (Getting the NDIS Back on Track No. 1)

The team attended an information session led by senior provider engagement at the NDIS. The session focused on support roles within the NDIS, NDIA decision making and funding, using the MyPlace provider portal, the transition to the new PACE system, processes and record keeping.

The DSC Annual National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Conference provided a platform for robust discussions, insights, and updates crucial to shaping the future of disability support services in Australia.

The Aged Care Taskforce (the Taskforce) released the Final report of the Aged Care Taskforce in mid-March 2024. This report proposes recommendations “to support an aged care system that is sustainable, fair and facilitates greater innovation in the sector.”

In response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Department of Health and Aged Care (DoHAC) has reviewed the current Standards and developed a set of draft strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards (strengthened Quality Standards). The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards will replace the current Standards and aim to ensure older Australians receive safe and quality care.

We attended a meeting with the Aged Care Taskforce on the Aged Care Taskforce Final Report.

The team attended a webinar on reablement in aged care.

In this submission, we focus on ensuring that allied health professionals, particularly osteopaths, are considered as part of the broader fall prevention team. This includes the suggestion to remove the reference to individual professions that may assist in fall prevention strategies and create an overarching inclusive statement involving all musculoskeletal allied health professionals.

In this submission, we focus on how the Scope of Practice Review should aim to achieve affordable and universal access to best-practice health services and value for the consumer and health system. Osteopathy Australia advocates for every Australian to have access to high-quality healthcare and support, regardless of where they live. Australians also deserve to have access to funded osteopathy. This will drive better health outcomes, improve the utilisation of our healthcare resources, and help overcome the inefficiencies in primary care. There is a significant opportunity within osteopathy to leverage existing skillsets and scope of practice to address system inefficiencies and reduce the burden on other health practitioners.

The recent National Disability Service (NDS) 2024-25 Federal Budget submission identified five critical areas requiring financial support. This summary focuses on Sector Support for Transformation, as it is relevant to osteopaths.