Note: the responsibility for compulsory reporting transferred from the Department of Health to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on 1 January 2020
To help protect aged care residents, the law (the Aged Care Act 1997) has compulsory reporting provisions. This means that approved providers of residential aged care services are responsible for ensuring that suspicions or allegations of reportable assaults occurring at their services are reported within 24 hours to
- local police
- the Commission.
The law also requires service providers to report that a resident is absent without explanation (also known as a missing resident).
These requirements ensure that those affected receive timely help and support, and that operational and organisational strategies are put in place to prevent the situation from occurring again. Such strategies help maintain a safe and secure environment for residents.
Making a report to the Commission
Aged care workers are often the first to suspect or become aware that a resident has allegedly been assaulted, or a resident is missing.
To report a suspicion or allegation of a reportable assault or a missing resident approved providers should:
- complete a reportable assault form or an unexplained absence form and email it to compulsoryreports@agedcarequality.gov.au, or
- call the compulsory reporting line on 1800 081 549. Note: it is the Commission preference to receive reports electronically.
Compulsory reporting forms
Contacts
Email: compulsoryreports@agedcarequality.gov.au
Compulsory reporting line: 1800 081 549
More information
- Guide for reporting reportable assaults
- Guide for reporting unexplained absences
- Guide for aged care staff – compulsory reporting
- Compulsory reporting flowchart
This information is intended to help approved providers and personnel understand their reporting responsibilities for reportable assaults and unexplained absences.
This notice provides advice for approved providers about information the Commission may collect to perform its functions, how that information may be used and how it can be accessed.