The incumbent Janet Anderson PSM stepped into the role in January 2019 after a 20-year career in health and aged care policy, strategy and planning.
She was appointed to oversee the establishment of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) which combined the roles of the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner and the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency and, later, the Department of Health’s aged care compliance responsibilities.
The Commissioner's tenure has coincided with an historic period for aged care, including the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the COVID-19 pandemic, and the proposed new Aged Care Act.
The current Commissioner, who reports directly to the Minister for Health and Aged Care, is paid $521,040 including superannuation and other benefits, according to online advertisements for the role. The successful candidates' package will be determined by the Government's Remuneration Tribunal.
The ACQSC was established as a recommendations of the Carnell-Paterson review of the Oakden scandal in South Australia, and was formed with the passage of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018.
In 2022-23, the ACQSC's revenue was more than $231 million, including nearly $205 million in Government funding.
The Act stipulates that when the Commissioner is appointed, the appointment must not exceed five years so Janet may not be departing the role.
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Aged Care told The SOURCE, "Under section 24 of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018, the role of Commissioner is appointed by the Minister. In line with the Government's Merit and Transparency Policy. it is open to the Minister to either reappoint, not reappoint or test the market through advertising, which may or may not result in the incumbent being reappointed.
"Following recent Government investment in the regulator, the executive leadership of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission now includes a number of Deputy Commissioner positions, supporting ongoing stability in the leadership of the Commission."
Applications close 11.30am Sunday 13 October 2024.
