This year marks a major milestone for the aged care sector with the passing of the new Aged Care Act 2024. Set to take effect on 1 July 2025, this legislation is a direct response to what older Australians value most in their care: dignity, safety, and choice. The Act promises to elevate standards across the sector by introducing stricter regulations, greater transparency, and enhanced rights for recipients.

As aged care providers prepare for these changes, OneTouch is uniquely positioned to help navigate the transition. Our experience in Ireland and the UK, coupled with our Australian team of clinical staff with years of care industry experience between them, means that we can respond rapidly to the changes while also ensuring that our functionality is built with the care provider in mind.

In this blog, we’ll explore the key reforms introduced by the new Act and how OneTouch’s comprehensive care management platform can assist providers in staying compliant and thriving in this evolving landscape.

What Does the New Aged Care Act Mean for Providers?

The new Act is set to transform aged care by emphasising higher standards of care, accountability, and a stronger focus on the rights of older Australians. Here are some key changes providers must be aware of:

The Statement of Rights: A pivotal document that outlines and safeguards the rights of aged care recipients.
Provider Registration: All aged care providers must be registered with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) to ensure compliance with updated standards.
CHSP Registration: Providers offering Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) services will also be required to register with the ACQSC.
Approval of Residential Aged Care Homes: Residential aged care homes must meet updated approval standards, reinforcing the Act’s commitment to quality care.
Aged Care Quality Standards: Providers will need to align with strengthened quality standards to continue delivering high levels of service.

How OneTouch Supports Your Transition to the New Act

At OneTouch, we are always planning for the future. Our team has been preparing for the new Aged Care Act well ahead of its passing to ensure that our platform seamlessly supports providers during this transition. As software providers who stay engaged with reform developments, we are committed to rapidly delivering solutions that help aged care providers transition smoothly, from financial updates to re-registration and business-to-government support.

Our unified approach is designed to streamline the compliance process with the new reforms and ensure that aged care providers can focus on what matters most: delivering excellent care.

Simplifying Compliance with the New Act

The new compliance requirements can be challenging to navigate, but OneTouch simplifies this process by providing the tools providers need to stay compliant:

Comprehensive Reports: Our system allows you to instantly generate reports from any area of the platform, ensuring you can provide necessary evidence for compliance with ease.
Incident Management Records: Keep track of incidents in real time, ensuring adherence to guidelines and full transparency with the ACQSC.
Customisable Workflows, Alerts, and Signoffs: Tailor workflows to match your operational needs, ensuring processes align with the new regulations.

Innovation and Adaptability for a Changing Landscape

OneTouch excels at innovation and adaptability, supporting providers through rapid changes in the regulatory environment. Our platform is designed to evolve alongside your business and the broader aged care landscape:

Care Minutes Counter: OneTouch enables providers to manage care minutes directly from our central database that can be aligned with your specific rostering settings and customised as per your organisation’s requirements.
Open API: Seamlessly integrate with other essential systems, ensuring smooth information exchange and operational efficiency.
Customisable Assessments: Providers can create tailored assessments to meet changing regulations, ensuring flexibility and precision in data collection.

Big Data and Financial Reporting for Future Success

We understand that big data is the future of aged care. OneTouch provides a seamless experience with financial, clinical, and operational reporting, ensuring providers stay ahead of compliance while maintaining financial stability. Our platform’s ability to track historical data allows you to manage your business with insights from both the past and the present.

Providers across the country are watching these reforms closely and attending webinars and media releases to stay informed. With OneTouch, you can rest assured that we are monitoring the situation closely too. Our dedicated team of experts is continuously engaged with the reforms to ensure our software meets the demands of this new regulatory landscape.

OneTouch: Your Strategic Partner in Reform

At OneTouch, we view our relationship with aged care providers as a strategic partnership. Our values of innovation and growth drive our continuous improvement and allow us to provide purpose-built solutions that align with your future goals. By working together, we can ensure that your business is not only compliant but also future-proofed.

The new Aged Care Act represents an opportunity to enhance care quality and improve the experiences of older Australians. With OneTouch’s support, you’ll be ready to meet the challenges of this new era head-on.

Are you ready to future-proof your business? OneTouch is just a call away. Contact us today to learn more about how we can help you on your journey through reform.