Accreditation site audits - overview
What is an accreditation site audit?
Accreditation site audits (also referred to as site audits) occur before a residential aged care home’s existing period of accreditation expires. A brief summary of the process is as follows:
- an assessment team reviews the application for accreditation of a residential aged care homewhich includes a self-assessment
- if the audit proceeds, a site audit is conducted by the assessment team against the Accreditation Standards
- the assessment team writes a report
- a decision-maker, separate from the team, makes a decision about the residential aged care home’s level of compliance and accreditation period (if any).
What happens on site?
At an accreditation audit, aged care assessors visit a residential aged care home and speak with residents and their families, staff and management to determine whether the residential aged care home meets all the Accreditation Standards and expected outcomes. They also observe what is happening at the residential aged care home and look at supporting documentation. The team is usually on site for two days.
How are residents and representatives involved?
Leading up to an accreditation site audit, a residential aged care home is obliged to inform residents and representatives that the accreditation site audit will occur and that they have an opportunity to talk to members of the assessment team in private.
Interviewing residents and their representatives is an essential part of information gathering about a residential aged care home. It is important that residents and their representatives are able to participate and can express their views concerning the care and services delivered by the residential aged care home.
The team interviews at least 10% of residents or their representatives. Residents and their representatives may also provide written information to the team if they wish.
If the residential aged care home has a number of residents who do not speak English, the team may organise an interpreter.
The residential aged care home ensures those residents or their representatives who wish to speak to the assessment team can do so in private and are assured of confidentiality.
The decision making process
The assessment team writes a report which contains recommendations only. A decision as to the home's actual compliance is made separately by an independent decision-maker.
What does the decision include?
The decision includes information on whether the residential aged care home is to be accredited and for how long. The decision also includes information about areas the residential aged care home needs to improve in order to achieve compliance with the Accreditation Standards.
Most residential aged care homes, if they meet all requirements, receive three years' accreditation. A residential aged care home must be accredited by the Agency in order to receive funding from the Australian Government. Residential aged care homes with major or persistent non-compliance may receive shorter periods of accreditation, or not be accredited at all. This is especially relevant where there is a serious risk to residents’ health, safety and wellbeing.
What information is publicly available?
Decisions about accreditation and the assessment team’s site audit report are available on this website. Access a report on a residential aged care home.
What other information is available about accreditation site audits?
Click here for more information about accreditation site audits.
