338Simplified outline of this Chapter

338  Simplified outline of this Chapter

The Commonwealth aged care system is governed by the Secretary (known as the System Governor), the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner (the Commissioner), and the Complaints Commissioner. There is also an Aged Care Quality and Safety Advisory Council (the Advisory Council).

The System Governor has functions relating to the Commonwealth’s administration of the aged care system, including:

 (a) facilitating equitable access to funded aged care services; and

 (b) providing stewardship of the Commonwealth’s administration of the aged care system; and

 (c) protecting and upholding the integrity of the Commonwealth’s administration of the aged care system and the Commonwealth’s investment in the system.

The System Governor must provide quarterly reports to the Minister on the duration of waiting periods for certain funded aged care services.

The Commissioner’s functions include the following:

 (a) safeguarding functions;

 (b) engagement and education functions;

 (c) registration of providers functions.

The Commissioner may also make the Financial and Prudential Standards.

The Complaints Commissioner’s functions include the complaints functions.

The Commission consists of the Commissioner, the Complaints Commissioner and the staff of the Commission. The Commission has the function of assisting the Commissioner and the Complaints Commissioner in the performance of their functions. The Commission may also be assisted by certain other officers and employees, and the Commissioner may engage consultants.

The Advisory Council consists of a Chair, a Deputy Chair and at least 7, but not more than 11, other members. The members are appointed by the Minister and must have substantial experience or knowledge in a specified field.

The Advisory Council’s functions include the following:

 (a) monitoring the performance of the Commissioner and the Complaints Commissioner’s functions;

 (b) providing advice to the Commissioner, the Complaints Commissioner and the Minister about matters arising in relation to those functions;

 (c) supporting the development of the strategic objectives of the Commission and identifying systemic performance issues within the Commission.

Part 2—System Governor