Work on implementing the national health reforms commenced in 2010-11 and is continuing. The Department of Communities is working closely with the Commonwealth and other Queensland Government agencies to achieve a seamless transition of roles and responsibilities for aged care and disability services.
From 1 July 2012, the Commonwealth Government will assume funding and program responsibility for people aged 65 years and older in the general population, and for Indigenous Australians who are aged 50 years and older. This timeframe will allow for a 12 month transition period to the new arrangements.
The Commonwealth Government will also assume funding responsibility for specialist disability services provided under the National Disability Agreement for people aged 65 years and older, and for Indigenous Australians who are aged 50 years and older.
The Queensland Government will retain funding and program responsibility for people who are less than 65 years of age or for Indigenous Australians who are less than 50 years of age.
Additionally, the Queensland Government will have funding responsibility for packaged community and residential aged care services currently delivered on behalf of the Commonwealth for people less than 65 years of age and for Indigenous Australians who are less than 50 years of age.
Other key time frames
The current Service Agreements with providers will remain in place until 30 June 2012. This includes existing service delivery requirements and conditions.
A joint Commonwealth/State process will be undertaken during 2011-12 to establish 3 year service agreements for both services to older people and people under 65 years (under 50 years for Indigenous Australians).
The key stages will be:
- An initial letter forwarded to organisations containing an overview of the upcoming process and requesting confirmation of details
- A letter of intent containing schedules reflecting the split of services between the Commonwealth and State government will be forwarded to organisations
- Service agreements will be forwarded to organisations under a letter of offer process.
According to the agreement, the Commonwealth will not directly fund service providers before 1 July 2012, and will not substantially alter service delivery mechanisms before 1 July 2015.
The changes under the national health reforms provide an opportunity and aim to facilitate integration between different service systems. Given the diverse range of client groups receiving services through the Department of Communities, it is important to leverage these opportunities to improve interface between health, community, aged care and disability services and flow of clients across different service systems.
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