Background papers

This background paper provides an overview of many of the major public reports and inquiries related to publicly-funded aged care in Australia since 1997, with a greater focus on the more recent of them. It deals primarily with official inquiries that generally involved submissions and evidence from the public and generated reports that are publicly available.

This Background Paper summarises the key aspects of quality and safety regulation provided for in the Aged Care Act 1997 (Aged Care Act), the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018 (Quality and Safety Commission Act) and supporting legislative instruments.  

This paper provides a high-level introduction to the role of family members and friends who provide what is often called informal and unpaid care to older Australians. It provides an overview of the role of carers, the impact of caring and carer needs, and the available supports and services.

Research on the uptake, benefits, issues and practices associated with advance care planning directives, as well as various arrangements in each state and territory, are briefly summarised in a background paper, Advance Care Planning in Australia.

This paper provides a high-level introduction to restrictive practices in residential aged care in Australia.

This paper provides a high-level introduction to dementia, including its nature, prevalence in Australia, and research about how to best care for people living with dementia.

This paper outlines how demographic, social and economic pressures will impact on aged care in Australia. Supportive environments and integrated care systems can help ensure that older people whose capacity has diminished live with dignity and grow personally.

Australia’s population is ageing. This raises questions about the sustainability of the aged care system and its capacity to grow and meet changing demand.