Terms of reference

On 23 June 2004 the Senate referred the following matters to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee for inquiry and report by 30 September 2004.

On 1 December 2004 the Senate agreed to the Committee's recommendation that the reference, not disposed of at the end of the 40th Parliament, be re-adopted with a reporting date of 23 June 2005.

(a) the adequacy of current proposals, including those in the 2004 Budget, in overcoming aged care workforce shortages and training;

(b) the performance and effectiveness of the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation
Agency in:
 (i) assessing and monitoring care, health and safety,
 (ii) identifying best practice and providing information, education and training to aged care facilities, and
 (iii) implementing and monitoring accreditation in a manner which reduces the administrative and paperwork demands on staff;
(c) the appropriateness of young people with disabilities being accommodated in residential aged care facilities and the extent to which residents with special needs, such as dementia, mental illness or specific conditions are met under current funding arrangements;
(d) the adequacy of Home and Community Care programs in meeting the current and projected needs of the elderly; and
(e) the effectiveness of current arrangements for the transition of the elderly from acute hospital settings to aged care settings or back to the community.

Related link: Inquiry into aged care