DAY ONE | TUESDAY, 2 SEPTEMBER 2025
7:45
Registration
8:45
Welcome to Country
9:00
Chairperson's Opening Address
TRANSITIONING TO THE NEW SUPPORT AT HOME PROGRAM
9:10
Understanding the new Support at Home framework
Transition from Home Care Packages (HCP) introduces new funding levels, assessment tools, and service structures. How will the new Support at Home program reshape service delivery? What are the critical changes providers must prepare for?
Transition from four HCP levels to eight funding classifications is aiming to provide more targeted care - how will it impact care planning and provider operations?
Michelle Smith, Director – Operational Policy and Implementation Management (Assessment and Home Care Transition Branch), Australian Government’s Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
Claire Lancashire, Director – Engagement and Implementation Readiness (Assessment and Home Care Transition Branch), Australian Government’s Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
9:40
Reserved Session
10:00
Navigating the new assessment and eligibility process
As the Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) replaces multiple assessment processes, what challenges will providers face with the Single Assessment System and how can they maintain efficiency through this transition time?
Existing HCP clients will be reassessed under the new system—how can providers manage expectations and minimise disruptions to ensure smooth transition?
Dean Saxby, Operations Manager for Aged Care Assessment Services, Catholic Healthcare
10:30
Speed Networking
10:50
Morning Tea & Coffee
11:20
Interactive round tables
Join us for 4 small-group roundtables looking deep into the latest challenges and solutions. These small group sessions allow for more dynamic, engaging and discussion-based conversations and are always a highlight of the forum.
ENSURING QUALITY, SAFETY, AND RISK MANAGEMENT IN THE NEW ERA OF HOME CARE
12:10
Compliance & quality standards – meeting higher expectations
New compliance measures require enhanced data tracking, reporting, and quality assurance. Are providers prepared for stricter regulatory requirements and what best practices can they adopt?
Rural and remote communities experience disparities in access to services, particularly in obtaining high-quality care. What innovative models can be developed to overcome these challenges?
12:40
Networking Lunch
1:40
Case Study: Participant choice and provider regulation: Navigating self-determination and accountability in the Support at Home Program
A case study on the complex interplay between participant choice, self-management, and provider regulation within the Support at Home (SAH) Program
Define roles and responsibilities within the Care Partner team and who leads decision-making
Address the balance between participant autonomy and regulatory requirements in home care
Meredith Coote, Co-Chair, Department of Social Services, National Carer Strategy Advisory Committee
1:55
Panel: Balancing choice and accountability in the Support at Home Program
How can providers ensure that participants have meaningful choice while maintaining accountability and regulatory compliance?
Address the challenges of ensuring participants' right to choose how, when, and by whom services are delivered
Better understand how co-contributions influence what older people and their families or decision supporters deem most important and critical potential impacts
Moderator: Meredith Coote, Co-Chair, Department of Social Services, National Carer Strategy Advisory Committee
Geoff Rowe, Chief Executive Officer, Aged & Disability Advocacy Australia
Debra Burden, Chief Executive Officer, Selectability
Johanna Heaven, Associate, Russell Kennedy Lawyers
Helen Connolly, Senior Director, ACT Disability Aged and Carer Advocacy Service
Lexie Dennis, General Manager, Hazel Home Care
2:35
Risk assessment and incident management: Building a culture of safety
How can providers move from reactive risk management to proactive prevention? Explore practices for risk prevention such as AI-driven analytics, predictive risk modelling, and workforce training
Discover frameworks for ensuring consumer safety and regulatory compliance (i.e. clear reporting protocols, real-time tracking, crisis management training)
Jennifer Knox, Head of Quality and Safeguarding, Homemade support
3:05
Afternoon Tea
EXPANDING CONSUMER CHOICE IN HOME CARE – CHALLENGES & OPPORTUNITIES
3:25
Personalisation vs. service equity – striking the right balance
How can organisations expand consumer choice and enable greater flexibility by empowering consumers but at the same time prevent disparities in service availability across different regions and income groups?
Explore strategies to manage greater complexities with more customisation options while ensuring operational efficiency
Juliette Spurrett, Executive Director, Community Services
3:55
Reserved Session
4:15
Workforce readiness for consumer-directed care
On one hand consumer-directed care offers greater flexibility, yet it also increases unpredictability in service scheduling - how can providers adapt staffing models to meet demand?
With increasing consumer autonomy, staff must be trained to deliver personalised, culturally responsive care while leveraging digital tools effectively. Learn strategies to expand workforce proficiency in adaptability, cultural competency, and technology integration
Heather Hollingworth, Chief Executive Officer, BCD Community Care
4:45
Case Study: The role of technology in enabling consumer choice
Learn how Feros Care is using technology to improve transparency, streamline service selection, and facilitate better communication between consumers and providers – explore the best tech-driven solutions
While digital tools improve efficiency, over-reliance on automation risks depersonalising care. How can providers integrate technology without losing the human connection essential to quality care?
Alice Hay, Executive Manager, Feros Care
5:15
Chairperson’s Closing Remarks
5:20
Networking Drinks
DAY TWO | WEDNESDAY, 3 SEPTEMBER 2025
8:20
Registration Opens
9:00
Chairperson's Opening Address
ADVANCING WORKFORCE CAPABILITY
9:10
Upskilling & continuous learning to elevate care standards
Implement interactive and proactive learning methods beyond just presentations (i.e. scenario-based training, learning cards) to enhance staff engagement and ensure high-quality care
Integrate continuous education into daily workflow to upskill staff, improve decision-making, and drive better resident outcomes
Gretta Wallis, General Manager, Health Care Quality, Amana Living
9:40
Reserved Session
HARNESSING TECHNOLOGY FOR SMARTER RISK & DATA SYSTEMS
10:00
Centralised data & risk management
Standardising data across aged care, healthcare, and government for integration
Discover risk-adjusted benchmarking to measure and improve care outcomes
Lahn Straney, Chief Scientific Officer, MOA
10:30
Morning Tea & Coffee
RISK MANAGEMENT & GOVERNANCE IN AGED CARE
11:00
Managing clinical risks amid increased resident acuity
Identify emerging risks due to higher resident acuity and complex health needs
Implement adaptive strategies to ensure high-quality care
Victoria Traynor, Professor of Dementia Care, Warrigal
11:30
Serious Incident Reporting (SIRS): Trends & strategies
Address the increase in SIRS notifications & key trends (e.g., neglect (26% rise), unreasonable use of force). Why are these incidents on the rise? Are there underlying systemic issues, staff shortage, or gaps in training contributing to these increases?
What proactive measures can providers take to reduce incidents and strengthen reporting accuracy and accountability?
Analou Cariaga, General Manager – Quality, Safety & Risk, Anglicare
12:00
Reserved Session
12:20
Global perspectives on risk mitigation
Gain insights from international best practices to strengthen risk preparedness
Adapt successful global approaches to the Australian aged care context
12:50
Networking Lunch
1:50
Reducing hospital transfers: Minimising risks & improving resident outcomes
Addressing the risks associated with frequent hospital transfers, including higher complexity of cases, longer stays and worse health outcomes (i.e. 2.7-fold higher risk of in-hospital mortality compared to non-transferred patients)
Strategies to strengthen care within aged care facilities, reduce avoidable hospitalisations, and alleviate bed blockages in the healthcare system, leading to better patient outcomes and cost savings
Julia Lawrence, Executive General Manager, Service Delivery, St Vincent’s Care Services
STRENGTHENING PATIENT-CENTERED & CULTURALLY SAFE CARE
2:20
Panel: Empowering residents for autonomous decision-making & human rights
Support residents’ autonomy in daily routines, facility design, and overall care decisions
Co-design environments with residents to feel like home rather than an institution
Ensure continuous resident input in care improvements through consumer advisory committees
Moderator: Rameez Hassan, Chief Nursing Officer, Regis Aged Care
Shawnee Van Poeteren, Program Manager – Advocacy, Advocare
Michelle Treasure, Member, OPAN National Older Persons Reference Group
Sandra South, Research Director, Perspicacious and Chair of OPAN’s Supported Decision Making Working Group
3:00
Afternoon Tea
3:30
Embedding cultural safety in aged care: Inclusive practises for First Nations & CALD communities
Implement cultural care models that recognise and respect the unique needs of First Nations and CALD residents
Engage with community leaders and organisations to co-design services that are culturally appropriate and reflect the values and traditions of diverse groups
Judith Lovegrove, Chair Person of the Board Managment, Aboriginal Community Services
4:00
Reserved Session
4:20
Designing dementia-centered environments: Enhancing quality of life
Create dementia-friendly spaces that reduce distress and agitation, and promote safety, independence and wellbeing
Foster engagement through familiar routines, sensory stimulation and personalised care approaches
Kaele Stokes, Executive Director, Services, Advocacy and Research, Dementia Australia