Welcome to the latest edition of the Community Care NewsDigest. July is shaping up as a momentous month for the community care sector with the announcement on 29 June that Robert Fitzgerald has been appointed the state’s first ageing and disability commissioner to investigate allegations of abuse, neglect and exploitation in both the aged and disability sectors. Commissioner Fitzgerald is a former Australian Council of Social Service president and served on the Royal Commission into Institutional Responses to Child Sex Abuse from 2013 to 2017. He has also worked on the federal productivity commission and headed inquiries into Australia’s aged care sector, the gambling sector and paid parental leave.

On 20 June the NSW parliament passed legislation giving the commissioner powers to compel information from individuals or organisations and seize evidence as part of investigations. The Commissioner’s office will also provide support to victims and administer the official community visitors program. The Aged and Disability Commission’s website and helpline have now been launched. With responsibility for the Elder Abuse Helpline & Resource Unit moving to the Commissioner the helpline number remains 1800 628 221.

The revised and more user-friendly My Aged Care website was launched on 30 June, while both the Aged Care Charter of Rights and Aged Care Quality Standards became effective as of 1 July 2019. Also coming into effect on 1 July is the 2019-20 NDIS pricing structure along with the updated schedule of Fees and Charges for Residential and Home Care.

In important CHSP news, all providers that have grandfathered CHSP clients who are not yet registered on My Aged Care are required to provide information on these clients to the Department of Health. This is a requirement in the CHSP Program Manual 2018.

Finally, a reminder that NAIDOC week 2019 is being held between 7 and 14 July. This year’s theme of VOICE. TREATY. TRUTH. were key elements of the Uluru Statement from the Heart. Our feature article this month recognises the important role NAIDOC week plays in highlighting the rich history, culture and achievements of the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities and you can help celebrate by getting involved in NAIDOC Week activities in your local area. Links to activities in Western Sydney can be found in the Upcoming Events section of the NewsDigest.

For more details on these stories and others, as well as the latest events and industry resources, please follow the NewsDigest link below, and remember to check in with us on social media.