The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission approved only six care provider applications in the final quarter of 2021.

In its latest Sector Performance Report, the ACQSC revealed it had received 227 applications from home care providers and eight from residential care providers, with some applications overlapping.

It approved just two residential care applications over the three months, with two declined and two not proceeding; of home care applications, only four were approved, with 14 declined and 53 not proceeding. Some outcomes may have resulted from applications in previous quarters.

The number of applications was up in both areas from the July to September quarter, which saw two residential care and 41 home care applications.

“From 15 November 2021, a fee applies to all applications to become an approved provider. There was a significant increase in the number of home care applications made in this quarter, before the fees were introduced,” the Commission said.

No flexible care applications were made during the quarter.