Nearly 20% of aged care homes failed to comply with the Aged Care Quality standards in the June quarter 2024, according to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, a figure starkly at odds with the fact 95% of residential aged care homes are rated three stars or higher for compliance, state the Department of Health and Aged Care.

A Star Rating of three or higher should signify compliance is at least 'acceptable'.

Compliance rates fell for all eight of the Aged Care Quality Standards, except Quality Standard 2 (Ongoing assessment and planning with consumers), which gained two percentage points in compliance.

As with home care, Organisational Governance had the highest rate of non-compliance of all the standards, with 12% failing to meet the threshold.

Quality Standard 7 (Human resources) now has the highest number of 'unmet' Standards.

To meet this requirement, providers must have the skilled and qualified workers needed to deliver safe, high-quality care. Residential providers must also have a Registered Nurse on duty 24/7 and meet their care minute targets. 

Of Standard 7, providers are most likely to be non-compliant with 7(3)(a) Number and mix of workforce, 7(3)(d) Recruitment training and support, and 7(3)(e) Regular assessment, monitoring/ review/performance of workforce.

The compliance failings were evident in the complaints made about residential aged care homes.

Concerns about the number of staff were the fourth most complained about issue in residential aged care in the June quarter.

On a more positive note, 42% of aged care homes were non-compliant at the beginning of the 2022-23 financial year, so rates of compliance have improved. 

You can read the report here.