Arrangements to strengthen independence of aged care complaints handling from 1 January 2016

The Aged Care Complaints Scheme plays an important role in ensuring that older Australians receive quality care and feel safe when receiving aged care services. The 2015 Budget contained an announcement aimed at increasing the independence of the Scheme. This Budget measure will see responsibility for the Scheme transfer from the Secretary of the Department of Social Services to the Aged Care Commissioner on 1 January 2016.