The news in NSW/ACT New medical gas licensing scheme begins 1 November 2020 - ACSA
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The news in NSW/ACT
New medical gas licensing scheme begins 1 November 2020
A new licensing scheme for medical gas systems in medical facilities will begin on 1 November 2020. This
follows the amendment of the Gas and Electricity (Consumer Safety) Act 2017 and the Home Building Act
1989.
From 1 November 2020, there will be three new categories of specialist work in the Home Building Act:
• medical gas fitting work
• medical gas technician work
• mechanical services and medical gas work.
Transitional arrangements will be in place to allow people in the medical gas industry who do this work to
gain the appropriate qualifications and licences in time for licensing requirements to begin on 1 May 2021
or 1 May 2022.
Timeline of the changes
From 1 November 2020:
• for medical gas fitting and medical gas technician work, people can continue to do medical gas
work but must apply for a licence to continue beyond 1 May 2021
• medical gas fitting work, medical gas technician work and mechanical services and medical gas
work must comply with the relevant Australian Standard
• new requirements for reporting serious medical gas accidents begin.
From 1 May 2021:
• a licence will be required to carry out medical gas fitting work and medical gas technician work
• new requirements for safety and compliance testing will begin
• new requirements for the rectification of non-compliant work will also begin.
From 1 May 2022:
• a licence will be required to carry out mechanical services and medical gas work.
Licence types (from 1 November 2020)
1. Tradespersons certificate
2. Supervisor certificate
3. Endorsed contractor licence
For more information, please go to the Department of Customer Service website
For more information on the medical gas regulatory scheme
Email HBL_Information@customerservice.nsw.gov.au or call 13 22 20
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 12 November 2020 | Page 1 of 13
Retirement Villages Amendment Bill 2020 in Parliament
On 22 October 2020, the NSW Government introduced the Retirement Villages Amendment Bill 2020 into
the NSW Legislative Council.
The reforms proposed in the Bill relate to a 42-day cap on recurrent charges, exit entitlements and part
payment of the resident’s exit entitlement to an aged care facility ("Aged Care Rule").
Note that these amendments only apply to residents who have their village contract in the form of a
registered long-term lease that includes a provision entitling them to at least 50 % of any capital gain.
42-day cap on the payment of recurrent charges
• A former occupant ceases to be liable to pay recurrent charges no later than 42 days after
permanently vacating the premises.
• Non-registered interest holders already have a 42-day cap in Section 153 of the Act.
• This does not apply to a former occupant until the beginning of the first financial year for the
retirement village commencing on or after 1 July 2021.
Exit entitlement order
• If a unit remains unsold within the prescribed period, the former occupant may apply to the
Secretary of the Department of Customer Service for an order directing the operator to pay the
former occupant's exit entitlement.
• The prescribed period means the period to be prescribed by regulations.
• A former occupant may apply only if a valuation has been estimated and agreed to by the former
occupant and the operator or determined by an independent valuer.
• The Secretary may make an exit entitlement order if satisfied that the operator has unreasonably
delayed the sale of the residential premises. The regulations may make provision for matters that
constitute “unreasonably delayed”.
• If residential premises are for sale immediately before the commencement of the amendments, the
prescribed period is taken to commence on:
o the date on which the section commences, or
o if the former occupant does not intend to move out of the premises while the premises are
for sale - the date, on or after the commencement of the section, on which the former
occupant gives the operator written notice of that fact.
Aged care facility payments
• If a unit remains unsold, the former occupant may request an operator to pay part of their exit
entitlement (up to 85%) as a daily accommodation payment to an aged care facility.
• This does not apply to a former occupant who, immediately before the commencement of the
Division, has entered an aged care facility.
The Retirement Villages Amendment Bill 2020 can be found here.
ACSA will keep Members updated as the Bill progresses through the NSW Parliament.
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 12 November 2020 | Page 2 of 13
Putting more power into the hands of retirees
NSW retirement village residents will be protected by new laws that increase safeguards around the sale of
their property and provide early access to their financial entitlements to meet the cost of moving into aged
care.
Minister for Better Regulation and Innovation, Kevin Anderson, said that under changes to the Retirement
Village Act 1999 which passed the Parliament on Wednesday, the NSW Government has increased
accountability and transparency in the retirement village sector.
Through the reforms the NSW Government has improved access to exit entitlements, made the transition
to aged care easier and capped the period of time residents pay recurrent charges for general services.
To read the full media release, click here
$56m boost for more palliative care supports
People approaching the end of life will have more choice to remain in their own homes for longer thanks to
a $56 million funding boost included in the 2020-21 NSW Budget.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the funding is in addition to the $220 million the NSW Government invests
in palliative care services each year to benefit patients and carers.
"The unprecedented situation with COVID-19 has shown all of us the importance of having frank end of life
discussions with our vulnerable loved ones," Mr Perrottet said. "This investment will support individual
preferences and improve access to palliative care services, as well as create more jobs for those working
with palliative patients."
To read the full media release, click here
Lifesaving telestroke service comes to Dubbo
Patients in the Dubbo region will have access to a 24-hour telestroke service, as part of a $21.7 million
groundbreaking program being rolled out across NSW.
NSW Health Minister Brad Hazzard and Federal Regional Health Minister Mark Coulton were joined by NSW
Minister for Mental Health, Regional Health and Women, Bronnie Taylor, and Member for Dubbo Dugald
Saunders, to make the announcement at Dubbo Base Hospital ahead of today’s joint Federal-State Bilateral
Regional Health Forum.
Mr Hazzard said the jointly funded, lifesaving telestroke service exemplifies how the State and Federal
Government can work together to bring world-class health care to people in regional and rural areas.
To read the full media release, click here
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 12 November 2020 | Page 3 of 13New 10-year strategy to support 850,000 carers
The NSW Government's new 10-year strategy released during National Carers Week will ensure the states
850,000 carers will receive better support and recognition to improve their financial and physical wellbeing.
Minister for Families, Communities and Disability Services Gareth Ward said the strategy aims to help
carers overcome the challenges involved with caring for loved ones. "National Carers Week is a significant
time to recognise and celebrate the outstanding contribution unpaid carers make to our communities," Mr
Ward said. Mr Ward continued "Under the strategy, the NSW Government will make it easier for carers to
access information and services, reduce financial stress and look after their own health and wellbeing."
Action plans, released every two years, will set out the steps NSW Government agencies and the sector are
taking to better support and recognise carers
To access the NSW Carers Strategy 2020-2030 please visit https://www.facs.nsw.gov.au/inclusion/carers
Life Membership Honour for Banksia Chairman
After a remarkable 10 years as the Board Chairman of not-for-profit and charitable aged care and
independent living provider Banksia Villages Limited, Stephen Palywoda signed off his final Chairman’s
report to the company’s 29th Annual General Meeting (AGM) last week. Stephen acknowledged and
thanked the staff of Banksia for all they do every day in support of residents and clients and reinforced the
need for Banksia to be adaptable, flexible and innovative in its approach to the post-Royal Commission
aged care environment.
Last week, the focus was firmly on Stephen, as he was honoured with Life Membership of Banksia Villages.
Former Banksia CEO, Banksia Life Member and well-known Eurobodalla local Phil
Armstrong offered the nomination, speaking of Stephen’s outstanding vision and
leadership during a period of constant changes and challenges. The nomination was
seconded by Banksia Life Member and former Board Chair Graham Smith, who
recalled the time about 12 years prior when he had suggested that Stephen consider
nominating for the Board. “I knew he’d make a terrific Director and that his
commitment and dedication to Banksia would never be in question” said Mr Smith at
the AGM.
Stephen came to serve on the Board of Banksia following a highly successful career in Canberra. Stephen
was also awarded a Public Service Medal in 1996 in recognition of his outstanding contribution to the
Australian Public Service.
Some of the key events and milestones during Stephen’s tenure include the award-winning $9M expansion
of Banksia Lodge in 2015; the completion of the Grevillea community centre, swimming pool, gym and
admin building in 2013; and, of course, the challenging times during 2020 including the bushfire emergency
and the preparations and changes required to deal with COVID-19.
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 12 November 2020 | Page 4 of 13Emergency preparedness for older people – a whole of community
concern?
Meals on Wheels, NSW has in collaboration with their key partners, developed ACT! A Collaborative
Toolkit: Preparing Older People for Emergencies to assist home support providers and other community
service organisations to empower older people to make decisions about preparing for emergencies such as
bushfires, housefires, storms, heatwaves, and floods.
It builds on older people’s knowledge of local risks, initiating and supporting individual discussions around
what they can do to prepare, providing concise, practical information and linking in appropriate supports,
when required. It also builds the capacity of home support providers to train their staff and volunteers on
how to discuss emergency preparedness with clients and make referrals to emergency
This toolkit and all resources are now available for the aged care
sector to use on Meals on Wheels’ website
https://nswmealsonwheels.org.au/ACT
To access the full evaluation report, please click here
For further information: Email louises@nswmealsonwheels.org.au
Together We Dance 2.0
Online dance classes for over 55’s. Diane Busuttil’s classes are fun and creative and are suited for everyone.
The class will get the blood flowing and the body dancing.
WHEN: Every Tuesday 3 November – 8 December 2020
TIME: 10:00am-11:00am (AEDT)
REGISTRATION: (02) 9806 5609 or admin_form@cityofparramatta.nsw.gov.au
COST: $50/Term
WHAT YOU NEED: A small safe space to move
around, A device with ZOOM application
downloaded, Comfy non-restrictive clothing or soft
shoes
TECHNICAL ASSISTANCE: 02 9806 5672
A Zoom link will be emailed to you following registration, one hour prior to class at the latest.
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 12 November 2020 | Page 5 of 13Seniors get tech savvy in Get Online Week
Seniors are being encouraged to enhance their digital skills during Get Online Week by enrolling in
technology training programs across NSW.
Acting Minister for Seniors Geoff Lee said being skilled in an increasingly digital world is vital for our seniors
to stay connected with their family and friends, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic. "While our NSW
seniors are better connected than ever, with more than 70 percent accessing the internet daily, we want all
older people to have the chance to go digital," Mr Lee said.
The NSW Government’s partnership with Telstra has ensured thousands of people over 60 have completed
training at more than 180 locations across the state
Courses can be also be delivered in Auslan and offered in a range of languages including Arabic, Assyrian,
Cantonese, Hindi, Greek, Italian, Korean, Mandarin, Russian, Spanish, Tagalog, Tamil and Vietnamese
Social inclusion is a key priority of the NSW Ageing Strategy, part of the NSW Government’s commitment to
meeting the needs of our ageing population.
For more information on Tech Savvy Seniors courses, please click here
NSW Health’s Train the Trainer module on Infection Prevention and
Control (IPC) and PPE
NSW Health acknowledges and applauds the significant prevention and preparedness work done to date by
residential aged care facilities in NSW, to protect facilities and residents from COVID-19. NSW Health is
committed to supporting you in continuing prevention and preparedness efforts.
The provision of IPC training to the residential aged care sector was agreed by all States and Territories at
National Cabinet, and NSW Health will be delivering it through a Train the Trainer model. The training will
be delivered over the next six weeks by Local Health Districts and the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission.
The training module has been developed by the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission and is a
comprehensive package on IPC and PPE as it applies to your sector. The program has been developed for
aged care educators/facility managers to run, and is a mix of in-service presentations, workshop scenarios,
PPE videos, PPE donning/doffing practice and PPE donning/doffing competency assessment.
Your Local Health District or the NSW Clinical Excellence Commission will initiate contact with you to
facilitate the delivery of this module. Please ensure you identify the appropriate personnel in your
organisation that can receive this training so that it can be rolled out across your facilities in a timely
manner. It is important that this training is also provided on an ongoing basis for any new staff and/or
retraining in the months ahead.
It is expected that the training would be fully rolled out by Friday 20 November. Please contact your Local
Health District COVID-19 contact for any queries regarding this training module.
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 12 November 2020 | Page 6 of 13Latest COVID-19 news and updates in NSW
Current NSW Government COVID-19 news and updates on hotspot areas, public health orders, financial
relief for households and businesses.
Read news and updates here
GP respiratory clinics
The Australian Government is establishing 100 GP Respiratory Clinics to provide dedicated services to
people with mild to moderate COVID-19 symptoms These clinics will assess people with fever, cough, a
sore throat, or shortness of breath. Please click here for more information.
NSW click here
ACT click here
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 12 November 2020 | Page 7 of 13UPCOMING ACSA EVENTS & TRAINING
12, 18 and 25 November 2020 I Mental Health Awareness & the Older person: A
series dealing with Psychotic Disorders
Date: Thursday 12 November Date: Wednesday 18 November Date: Wednesday 25 Nov
Time: 1:30pm – 2:30 AEDT Time: 10:30am – 12:00pm AEDT Time: 10:30am – 12:30pm
Cost: $20 CHSP (NSW & SA) I $250 ACSA Members I $280 others (all 3 sessions)
The webinars will focus on raising awareness and providing education and training in understanding a
variety of Mental Health conditions being experienced by older people and the impact these conditions
may have on care and service delivery in the older person’s home.
Participants will be informed about how to support, respond, and communicate with clients in distress.
For more information and to register, please click here
17 November | NSW/ACT ACSA General Meeting
Notice of Annual General Meeting of Aged & Community Services Australia will be held via ZOOM on:
Date: Tuesday 17th November 2020
Time: 11:00am to 12:00pm AEDT
To register, please click here
17 November I Coaching to GROW
Date: Tuesday 17 Nov
Time: 10:30am - 12:30pm AEDT
Cost: $20 CHSP (NSW & SA) I $130 ACSA Members I $145 others
Trainer: Sheree Lewis
What is coaching and how does it work? Coaching is a structured one on one conversation focused on an
individual’s development through increasing their self-awareness and personal responsibility. Using a
coaching approach helps individuals to think through issues and improve their own performance – we are
helping them to learn. And how do we do this – by asking the ‘right’ questions and actively listening in a
supportive and encouraging environment.
This session will focus on the coaching mindset, the skills required to effectively coach and provide a
structured approach to planning and conducting a coaching session.
To register, please click here
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 12 November 2020 | Page 8 of 1317 November I Webinar: Supporting your Aged Care Employees
Date: Tuesday 17 November
Time: 7.00pm – 7.45pm ACT, NSW, VIC, TAS
Cost: Free
When left unchecked, financial stress caused by not feeling financially
prepared for the future can have a devastating impact on your workforce.
During COVID-19, both financial and psychological costs associated with a workforce suffering from
prolonged stress (decreased productivity, increased absenteeism & increased OH&S incidents) have only
risen during this time.
To help aged care employers and provide support to their employees, ACSA National Partner Aware Super
is running free online sessions throughout November aimed to support aged care employees.
These sessions have been created with simple language, and cover topics such as Super Basics, Boosting
your Super, Estate Planning, Protecting you & your family and much more.
For more information and to register, please click here
Want to learn more about how Aware Super Employer Wellbeing program can support your employees?
Please contact Melissa Bodycoat Melissa.Bodycoat@aware.com.au
18-19 November 2020 I Business Sustainability in Aged Care Online Symposium
Date: Wednesday 18 Nov and Thursday 19 Nov
Time: 11.30am – 5.00pm AEDT
Cost: $115 - $190 for ACSA Members I $155 - $260 others
Business sustainability is one of the most complex and important challenges in aged care right now,
whatever the size of your organisation.
Join us for this two-day online symposium to hear the latest insights and solutions from a variety of
industry experts and leaders, plus shared experiences from other organisations in our sector.
Key topics include:
• Tactics for increasing occupancy;
• Managing and enhancing your organisation’s reputation;
• Ethical sales and marketing;
• Mergers & acquisitions;
• Innovation in business models and revenue streams;
• Sustainable growth and development; and
• Effective procurement.
For more information and to register, please click here
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 12 November 2020 | Page 9 of 1318 November 2020 I Carers Understanding the Gateway; Carers SA
Date: Wednesday 18 Nov
Time: 2:30pm – 3:30pm AEDT
Cost: Free for CHSP providers (NSW & SA) I $20 others
Trainer: Sharon Tentye and Michael Cousins
Carers SA provides support to unpaid carers across South Australia. From April 2020, under the
Government’s new carer support model, Carers SA has become the main provider of services for South
Australia’s 250,000 unpaid carers. With 30 years of experience, Carers SA provides unpaid carers with a
range of support services including carer support planning, emergency respite, peer support and coaching,
in-person counselling and tailored financial packages.
Carers are at the heart of everything we do, and we want carers contribution to be valued and their voice
to be heard.
For more information and to register, please click here
24 November and 1 December 2020 I ACSA Webinar: NSW/ACT Enterprise
Agreement Refresher
Date: Tuesday 24 Nov and Tuesday 1 Dec
Time: 9:30am – 12:30pm AEDT
Cost: $220 for up to 3 staff members; additional staff member $88
Presenters: Anna-Maria Wade, Manager – Employee Relations, ACSA and Adele Rizkallah, Employee
Relations Advisor, ACSA
It has been a while between enterprise agreements for those members utilising the NSW/ACT template
document. There have been changes within organisations and the industrial relations landscape continues
to evolve which has presented new challenges.
We thought it timely to offer a refresher on the terms and conditions of your enterprise agreement to
assist you in interpretation, application, compliance and how to make the EA work best for your
organisation.
The refresher is open to anyone who interacts with the template enterprise agreement in the context of
rostering, payroll, and team management.
The refresher is a total of six hours of educative and interactive content.
For more information and to register, please click here
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 12 November 2020 | Page 10 of 1324 November 2020 I Dignity of Risk
Date: Tuesday 24 November
Time: 1:00pm – 3:00pm AEDT
Cost: $145 ACSA members I $165 others
Trainer: Fleur Dewhurst
For decades aged care service providers and their staff have had the terminology “Duty of Care” drummed
into them about the best way to protect older people in our care.
Fast forward to July 2019 and all of a sudden we’re thrown a curve ball and its name is “Dignity of
Risk”…add that to consumer choice and control, a Royal Commission, a new quality framework and a
COVID-19 pandemic… is it any wonder the lines have been blurred for frontline staff, service managers and
policy makers in aged care organisations about how to support dignity of risk and choice for older people.
Learning Outcomes:
• Defining Dignity of Risk and Duty of Care in layman’s terms
• Investigating dignity of risk versus negligence and legal definitions
• Notions of dignity and self-determination
• Understanding that dignity of risk is about improving quality of life and is a basic human right
• What is reasonable risk and how is it applied in everyday practice?
• How to remove or reduce risk and focus on dignity
• Understanding dignity of risk for older people with cognitive impairment
• Dignity of risk and providing palliative care
To register, please click here
25th & 26th November 2020 I Aged Care Reform: Strategising for 2021 (The
Hatchery online conference in partnership with COTA and ACSA)
Date: Wednesday 25 and Thursday 26 November
Time: 8:45am – 2:00pm AEDT
As we look forward to 2021, many challenges remain on the horizon - but also potential opportunities. How
can your organisations stay resilient in the ongoing challenges of COVID-19 and prepare for the challenges
and opportunities that the release of the final report of the Royal Commission will create? This conference
is your best opportunity to get answers to your burning questions and think proactively about the future of
the sector.
ACSA members can take advantage of an exclusive 15% discount with discount code CC*ACSA
To see the Agenda for both days, please click here
For more information and to register, please click here
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 12 November 2020 | Page 11 of 1326 November 2020 I Being Curious: Supporting Emotional Wellbeing in Aged Care
Date: Thursday 26 Nov
Time: 10:30am - 11:30am AEDT
Cost: Free for CHSP providers (NSW & SA) I $20 others
Trainer: Assuna Schultz & Monika Kolta
The Australian Institute of Health revealed almost half (49%) of the residents in residential aged care settings
have a diagnosis of depression, and the majority (87%) are diagnosed with at least one mental health or
behavioural condition. This indicate residents are in greater need of support around their mental health and
wellbeing. Older people’s attitudes and perceptions about mental health and societal attitudes and
perceptions act as barriers to the person in care accessing mental health support. Because of these barriers,
mental health issues amongst older people are often unrecognised and therefore left untreated.
The Supporting Emotional Wellness in Aged Care (SEW) Program, is funded by the Adelaide Primary Health
Network (PHN) and provides free, onsite individual and group mental health services for residents
experiencing, or at risk of developing, mild to moderate mental health conditions. The expected benefits of
psychological services for residents are improvements in mood, adjustment and functioning and increased
ability to cope with life changes. Emotional wellness is important part of our general health. The Supporting
Emotional Wellness service is here to support residents of aged care facilities within the Adelaide
Metropolitan area.
For more information and to register, please click here
26 November 2020 I Meeting the needs of people from diverse backgrounds
Date: Thursday 26 Nov
Time: 1:00pm - 3:00pm AEDT
Cost: $140 ACSA Members I $155 others
All Aged Care Organisations are expected to deliver care and services that are inclusive and do not
discriminate. Care and services are expected to be responsive, inclusive and sensitive to:
• Culturally and linguistically diverse consumers,
• Lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex consumers, and
• People who identify from Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander backgrounds.
The older person defines their own identity, and this should be respected and not questioned. Respecting
the identity, culture and diversity of the older person, means understanding their needs and preferences in
the provision of care and services which reflect each individual’s social, cultural, language, religious, spiritual,
psychological and medical needs.
This workshop looks at the Quality Standards, incorporates the Diversity Framework and demonstrates what
this looks like with a service that provides Aged Care
For more information and to register, please click here
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 12 November 2020 | Page 12 of 132 December 2020 I Regional, Rural and Remote Providers Online Seminar
Date: Wednesday 2 December
Time: 11.30am – 5.00pm AEDT
Cost: $99 ACSA Members I $89 (3 or more tickets) ACSA Members I $137.50 others I $123.50 (3 or more
tickets)
Regional, rural and remote aged care providers are some of the most important in Australia, ensuring older
people can be looked after in the communities where they have lived all their lives.
Join us for our first one-day online seminar focused on the challenges, opportunities, issues and solutions for
organisations providing aged care services in regional, rural and remote areas.
The event will focus on providing practical insights and advice that you can start implementing in your
organisation straight away.
For more information and to register, please click here
2 December I Join us for our first Virtual Insurance and Care Forum
Date: Wednesday 2 December
Time: 10:00am – 2:00pm AEDT
Location: Virtual Event - link to be provided prior to event
It has been a tough year so what better way to reset for 2021.
The agenda is packed full of relevant, topical subjects presented by inspiring, expert speakers, offered in a
series of short sessions. We'll also have a virtual Q&A panel where you can discuss any of the themes raised
in the sessions and find out more from icare.
The topics are:
• Understanding your culture and improve performance
• Mindfulness
• Communicating and Influencing
• Implementing best practice and psychological injury claims
• Creating Mentally Healthy Workplaces
• Wellness & Wellbeing
Organised by icare Mobile Engagement Team
To see the agenda, please click here
To register, please click here
Published by Aged & Community Services Australia | 12 November 2020 | Page 13 of 13You can also read
