✦ Plain-English Summary

Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Improved Home Care Payment Administration No. 2) 2020

What it does

This bill changes how aged care providers get paid for home care services. Instead of waiting and claiming money after they've delivered care, providers can now invoice the government and get paid when they submit their bill. It also lets providers fix mistakes in previous payment claims without penalty.

Why it matters

Faster payments help aged care providers—mostly small and medium-sized organisations—manage their cash flow and keep delivering services. It reduces paperwork headaches and makes the system less punitive when honest mistakes happen in claims.

Key details

• Payment on invoice: Providers bill the government for services provided rather than claiming reimbursement after the fact
• Fixing past claims: Providers can now correct or vary earlier claims for home care subsidies without fear of automatic penalties
• Affected groups: Home care service providers and their clients benefit from smoother payment processing and fewer service disruptions

Official Description

Amends the: Aged Care Act 1997 and Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997 to amend the arrangements relating to the payment of home care subsidy to approved providers by providing that the Commonwealth will retain, on behalf of home care recipients, any subsidy that may be in excess of the care and services provided, to be drawn down as care and services are provided in future; and A New Tax System (Goods and Services Tax) Act 1999 to ensure that the supply of home care remains GST-free.

Committee Referrals

Senate Standing Committee for the Scrutiny of Bills; Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee

No formal division recorded

This bill passed by voice vote — parliament agreed without calling a formal count. A division is only recorded when a member explicitly requests one.

No votes yet.

No votes were recorded for this bill.