30/07/2026
Seen this from an Aged Care page:
Does your Provider have a minimum service time of 2 hours? The Commission says 2-hour services should not be standard minimum requirement.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission's latest Quality Bulletin includes an article "Aged care awards change''. Interestingly it states:
"...Sometimes when awards change, registered providers may need to change their business and pricing models. When this happens, providers can’t make changes that have a negative effect on the quality and safety of care and services to older people receiving funded aged care services. Practices that are not acceptable under any aged care award include:
* minimum service times, such as 2-hour shifts, in service agreements. You should only provide and charge for services for the time needed. Sometimes 2-hour services are appropriate, but they should not be a standard minimum requirement and must be based on the person’s assessed needs
* charge incorrectly for services that extend across standard and after-hours periods. You must charge for time worked during standard hours at the standard rate, not the higher after-hours rate
* use misleading terms and conditions, such as claiming that changes to an award mean you need to apply longer minimum service times. Award changes might affect staffing costs and pricing, but they don’t change the amount of care a person needs. You must always base the care you provide on the older person’s assessed needs, goals and preferences.
If we find providers doing any of these, we will take action to protect older people."
If your provider has a 2 hour minimum on certain services and you don't need that you may wish to bring this article to their attention and ask them about it. If you don't get a satisfactory response consider lodging a complaint with the Commission.
Please see:
Commissioner’s message
