Janet Anderson PSM, who has held the top job at the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) since the organisation's inception on 1 January 2019, passed the baton to Liz Hefren-Webb on 20 January 2025.
Ms Hefren-Webb was formerly former deputy secretary of social policy with the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet. She previously held senior leadership roles at the Department of Social Services, in the National Redress Scheme, and with the COVID-19 pandemic response.
"Leaving the Commission is hard, but I know it will be in good hands under the incoming Commissioner, Liz Hefren-Webb," wrote Ms Anderson, who came to the aged care regulator after a 20-year career in health and aged care policy, strategy and planning.
"I am also confident that the sector, including the Commission, will use the opportunities presented by the new Aged Care Act (commencing in July 2025) to keep getting better at their respective jobs, so that every older person receiving care not only has their needs met, but also has the best possible experience of care."
Ms Anderson was re-appointed to the Commissioner's role for another three-year term term in February 2022. Her 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 laying the regulatory groundwork for rolling out once-in-a-generation reforms under the new Aged Care Act.
We reported in October 2024 the $500,000-plus role had been advertised in line with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018, which says an appointment must not exceed five years.
The ACQSC was formed with the merging of the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency and the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner in 2019. In 2020, it gained additional powers, including approval of providers, compliance including prudential standards, and compulsory reporting, which were all previously the responsibility of the Commonwealth Government. The ACQSC's regulatory functions continue to expand, according to the Government's Transparency Portal.
The ACQSC received funding of $297 million in 2023-24, a 22% increase from the previous year.
