The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) has released its Regulatory Strategy 2024-25, which sets a foundation for the new Aged Care Act.

Lisa Peterson PSM, Deputy Commissioner, Sector Capability and Regulatory Strategy with the Department of Health and Aged Care recently told an ACQSC webinar the Regulatory Strategy 2024-25 is a "bridge" to the new Aged Care Act, and this year is a "transition" year.

Under the new Regulatory Strategy, regulation will focus on the provider, rather than individual services.

The new Strategy uses a 'provider supervision model', where the ACQSC allocates every provider a 'supervision status' based on their level of assessed risks. There are four supervisory statuses that indicate escalating intensity of commission intervention: risk surveillance, targeted, active and heightened supervision.

The new strategy is based on three principles: continuous improvement in building trust, being risk-based and data-driven, and using collaboration and engagement. 

The approach of the new strategy is based on a regulatory diamond model (see main image), which allows for the regulator to publish information about best practice aged care and performance of the sector to support and incentivise high quality care, while at the same time explaining how older people are safeguarded through regulating market entry, conducting regular audits and resolving complaints. 

The current strategy was last updated in 2020, and it is intended that the strategy will be updated annually.

"We'll be updating our strategy for '25-'26 and look forward to releasing that ahead of July 25," Lisa said.