One year after Star Ratings were first introduced, the number of aged care homes with a 4 or 5 star rating - which means they are delivering good or excellent care - has increased 15% or by 352 homes to 1,329 (54% of homes) today.
The number of homes receiving 1 or 2 stars - which are homes that need improvement - has decreased by 152 homes to only 54 or 2% of homes.
Star Ratings were developed to help older people and their loved ones make decisions about aged care. In the past 12 months, Star Ratings has been viewed 634,592 times on the My Aged Care website.
Star Ratings draw on data from Residents’ Experience Survey results, regulatory decisions of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Care Minutes and the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program. An algorithm processes the data to develop a rating on each aged care home’s quality and provides a benchmark for quality care.
“One year on and Star Ratings data shows that the Albanese Government is delivering its promise to lift the standard of aged care in Australia," said Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells.
“The biggest improvement reflected in Star Ratings over the past year is the experience of residents. Residents are reporting the quality of care they are receiving is getting better, with 95 per cent of aged care homes now delivering acceptable, good or excellent care.
“Prior to Star Ratings, residential aged care providers didn’t have a way to benchmark and monitor their performance or improvement over time. Now they do and it’s proving valuable for their management teams.”
The Star Ratings program has been plagued with difficulties. Twice the rollout of new star ratings have been "paused" due to technical problems, and earlier this month the Department of Health and Aged Care said incorrect care minutes targets had been published and providers should calculate their own numbers.
