Aged-Care Workers

In reply to Dr McFETRIDGE (Morphett) (3 August 2016). (Estimates Committee B)

The Hon. Z.L. BETTISON (Ramsay—Minister for Communities and Social Inclusion, Minister for Social Housing, Minister for the Status of Women, Minister for Ageing, Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Minister for Youth, Minister for Volunteers): I have been advised:

1. As a result of the 2011 Australian Health Ministers' Advisory Council (AHMAC) national consultation on Options for the regulation of unregistered health practitioners, in 2013, the South Australian Government implemented the Health and Community Services Complaints Commissioner (HCSCC).

The HCSCC investigates any breach of that code of conduct and action as deemed appropriate pertaining to non-registered health practitioners, including aged-care workers. Prohibitions orders, either term or permanent, can be set in place as part of this process.

South Australia, through the Department for Health and Ageing is currently reviewing the Code of Conduct in line with the Australian Health Minister's Advisory Council agreement in 2015 for there to be a National Code of Conduct.

2. Other States are in the process of reviewing their legislation and considering various options.