How Do I Become an Approved Provider for In-home Care?

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Table of Contents

• What is an Approved In-home Care Provider?
• Eligibility Requirements
• Making an Application
• Assessment by ACQSC
• Key Takeaways

If your business provides in-home care to aged Australians, consider the benefits of becoming an approved provider. Approved in-home care providers are eligible to receive a subsidy from the Australian Government under the Aged Care Act 1997 (the ‘Act’). With a subsidy, you can grant a wider range of more cost-effective services to aged care recipients. This article will outline the key processes to become an approved provider for in-home care. 

What is an Approved In-home Care Provider?

The governing body that assesses applications for approval is known as the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC). You can only be an approved in-home care provider if ACQSC permits, which then allows you to provide in-home care services to aged care recipients. These services can include:

• nursing care;
• therapy services; and 
• specialised care.

Not all in-home care services require ACQSC approval, particularly if its services come under the:

• Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP)
• National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program.

Eligibility Requirements

To achieve and maintain the status of an approved in-home care provider, you must meet particular requirements, including:

• Corporate structure: you must be a corporation, as sole traders or an unincorporated entity cannot be approved.
• Background checks: police and insolvency checks will be conducted when you apply.
• Review of key personnel: the suitability of key personnel who provide the care is assessed, including examining their background, criminal record, or any civil penalty orders. 
• Experience: your experience in aged care or other forms of care is considered. 
• Operational understanding: you should show a clear understanding of your responsibilities and have a management system for them. This can include managing care provision, communication with recipients, government subsidy administration and fees or payments.  
• Financial management: you should provide clear evidence of robust financial management practices.
• Compliance history: you will be examined on your track record of compliance with financial obligations and other responsibilities.

Once approved, you, as an in-home care provider, must continue to meet your obligations under the Act to remain eligible for subsidised aged care. 

Making an Application

When applying to become an approved in-home care provider, you will need to demonstrate your understanding of the responsibilities of an approved provider. This means you must know the Aged Care Principles and Quality Standards as well as understand generally the Act. Some ways the Act affects you are by dictating:

• your responsibilities around applying for approval to become an approved provider;
• accountability measures and compliance with legal standards;
• the financial management within aged care; and
• compliance and enforcement protocols.

To support your application, you must carry out police and insolvency checks for all of your key personnel, including documented evidence. You will also need to complete an application form from the ACQSC website. 

The ACQSC will charge a fee for a valid application and proceed to an initial review once the fee is paid. To be eligible for a fee waiver, you need to complete an Application for Fee Waiver form and provide evidence of:

• at least 85% of your service delivery being dedicated towards care recipients classed as remote or very remote;
• your commitment to serving these areas; and
• the particular services you plan to offer in these areas.

You must be careful to complete the right application form. There are three application form types: 

1. For organisations that are aged care providers and not yet approved;
2. For an existing approved provider who wants to add or change service types;
3. For government organisations.

If you have more than four key personnel, then you will need to complete an additional key personnel form and submit it with your application. 

Assessment by ACQSC

The ACQSC goes through a series of steps in assessing your application, including:

Validity Check

The ACQSC conducts a check to ensure your application is valid. These validity requirements are that: 

• the application is in writing;
• you used the correct form, including any evidence required; and 
• you have paid the fee.

Preliminary Review

The ACQSC thoroughly examines your application during an initial assessment. This includes the Australian and Securities Investment Commission (ASIC) company checks. Since the review engages other bodies, this step may require you to provide additional information for a fee.

Formal Assessment

You will also be subject to a form assessment, done by a senior assessor from the ACQSC.

This process can take up to 90 days, and the senior assessor drafts a recommendation to the decision-maker, also known as the delegate. In some situations, you may need to provide further information for an additional fee.

Final Decision

The delegate makes the final decision on whether your application is successful. After the decision is made, it is provided in writing 14 days afterwards. If the application fails, the delegate will provide a statement of reasons. You have the option to ask for a reconsideration or to submit a new application should your initial one be declined. 

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Key Takeaways

Becoming an approved in-home care provider opens the door to government subsidies, making your services more accessible to those in your care. You must ensure that you comply with the ACQSC standards and meet the stringent criteria to apply and become an approved provider. To do show, you should pass checks on your:

• corporate structure;
• background and criminal record; 
• key personnel;
• experience; 
• operational understanding and management systems;  
• financial management; and
• compliance history.

You should also ensure you are familiar with relevant laws and processes around the ACQSC approval process.

If you would like assistance regarding approval for in-home care, contact our experienced in-home aged care lawyers as part of our LegalVision membership. For a low monthly fee, you will have unlimited access to lawyers to answer your questions and draft and review your documents. Call us today on 1300 544 755 or visit our membership page.