Classification Principles 2014
I, Mitch Fifield, Assistant Minister for Social Services, make the following principles.
Dated 20 June 2014
Mitch Fifield
Assistant Minister for Social Services
Contents
Part 1—Preliminary 1
1............ Name of principles........................................................................................................ 1
2............ Commencement............................................................................................................. 1
3............ Authority....................................................................................................................... 1
4............ Definitions..................................................................................................................... 1
Part 2—Classification of care recipients 3
5............ Purpose of this Part....................................................................................................... 3
6............ Procedure for determining classification level—residential care other than respite care. 3
7............ Procedure for determining classification level—respite care.......................................... 4
Part 3—Classes of care recipients excluded from classification 5
8............ Purpose of this Part....................................................................................................... 5
9............ Exclusion of class of care recipients.............................................................................. 5
Part 4—Classification levels 6
10.......... Purpose of this Part....................................................................................................... 6
11.......... Classification levels....................................................................................................... 6
12.......... Lowest applicable classification level—care other than respite care............................... 6
Part 5—Appraisals of the level of care needed 7
13.......... Purpose of this Part....................................................................................................... 7
14.......... Circumstance and alternative period.............................................................................. 7
15.......... Appraisal procedure...................................................................................................... 7
Part 6—Suspending approved providers from making appraisals and reappraisals 8
16.......... Purpose of this Part....................................................................................................... 8
17.......... Requirements for applications for the lifting of suspensions......................................... 8
Part 7—When respite care classifications take effect 9
18.......... Purpose of this Part....................................................................................................... 9
19.......... Day of effect.................................................................................................................. 9
Part 8—Expiry and renewal of classifications 10
20.......... Purpose of this Part..................................................................................................... 10
21.......... Different expiry dates.................................................................................................. 10
22.......... Circumstances in which care needs are taken to have changed significantly................ 10
23.......... Procedure for determining renewal of classification.................................................... 11
Schedule 1—Scores for question ratings 12
Part 1—ADL domain 12
1............ Scores.......................................................................................................................... 12
Part 2—Behaviour domain 13
2............ Scores.......................................................................................................................... 13
Part 3—CHC domain 14
3............ Scores.......................................................................................................................... 14
Schedule 2—Domain categories 15
Part 1—ADL domain 15
1............ Domain categories....................................................................................................... 15
Part 2—Behaviour domain 16
2............ Domain categories....................................................................................................... 16
Part 3—CHC domain 17
3............ Domain categories....................................................................................................... 17
Part 1—Preliminary
1 Name of principles
These principles are the Classification Principles 2014.
2 Commencement
These principles commence on 1 July 2014.
3 Authority
These principles are made under section 96‑1 of the Aged Care Act 1997.
4 Definitions
In these principles:
Act means the Aged Care Act 1997.
ADL domain means the domain relating to activities of daily living.
Answer Appraisal Pack means the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) Answer Appraisal Pack published by the Department, as it exists on 1 July 2014.
Note: In 2014, the Answer Appraisal Pack was accessible at http://www.dss.gov.au.
application for classification means an application completed in accordance with section 15 for classification of a care recipient under section 25‑1 of the Act.
Assessment Pack means the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) Assessment Pack published by the Department, as it exists on 1 July 2014.
Note: In 2014, the Assessment Pack was accessible at http://www.dss.gov.au.
behaviour domain means the domain relating to behaviour.
CHC domain means the domain relating to complex health care.
domain means a group of questions in the Answer Appraisal Pack relating to one of the following:
(a) activities of daily living;
(b) behaviour;
(c) complex health care.
domain aggregate range has the meaning given by subsection 6(2).
domain category means a domain category mentioned in a table in Schedule 2.
multi‑purpose service has the meaning given by section 104 of the Subsidy Principles 2014.
User Guide means the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) User Guide published by the Department, as it exists on 1 July 2014.
Note 1: In 2014, the User Guide was accessible at http://www.dss.gov.au.
Note 2: A number of expressions used in these principles are defined in the Act, including:
(a) classification level; and
(b) lowest applicable classification level.
Part 2—Classification of care recipients
5 Purpose of this Part
For subsection 25‑1(2) of the Act, this Part specifies the procedure the Secretary must follow in determining the appropriate classification level for a care recipient being provided with residential care.
6 Procedure for determining classification level—residential care other than respite care
(1) The procedure set out in subsection (2) is specified for determining the appropriate classification level for a care recipient being provided with residential care (other than respite care).
(2) The Secretary must take the following steps, using the application for classification completed in respect of the care recipient.
Procedure for determining classification level
Step 1. For the ADL domain and the behaviour domain in the completed application, the Secretary must:
(a) use the tables in Parts 1 and 2 of Schedule 1 to identify the score for the rating for each question in each domain; and
(b) add up the scores to work out an aggregate figure for each domain (the domain aggregate); and
(c) use the tables in Parts 1 and 2 of Schedule 2 to identify, for each domain:
(i) the range within which the domain aggregate falls (the domain aggregate range); and
(ii) the domain category that applies to that domain aggregate range.
Step 2. If:
(a) the domain category identified for the behaviour domain is the high behaviour category; and
(b) the completed application does not include a mental and behavioural diagnosis code;
the Secretary must reduce the domain category to the medium behaviour category.
Step 3. For the CHC domain in the completed application, the Secretary must:
(a) use the matrix in Part 3 of Schedule 1, which combines ratings for the questions in the domain, to work out the overall score for the domain; and
(b) identify the domain category mentioned in the table in Part 3 of Schedule 2 that applies to that score.
Step 4. The Secretary must determine that the appropriate classification level for the care recipient consists of the domain categories identified for each domain.
Note 1: For the classification level for a care recipient being provided with residential care (other than respite care), see subsection 11(1).
Note 2: The procedure set out in this subsection also applies in relation to a renewal of the classification level for a care recipient being provided with residential care (other than respite care). See section 23.
7 Procedure for determining classification level—respite care
(1) The procedure set out in subsection (2) is specified for determining the appropriate classification level for a care recipient being provided with residential care as respite care.
(2) The Secretary must determine the appropriate classification level for the care recipient according to the limitation of the care recipient’s approval under the Approval of Care Recipients Principles 2014.
Note: For the classification levels for care recipients being provided with residential care as respite care, see subsection 11(2).
Part 3—Classes of care recipients excluded from classification
8 Purpose of this Part
For subsection 25‑1(5) of the Act, this Part specifies:
(a) a class of care recipients excluded from classification under Part 2.4 of the Act; and
(b) the period for which that class is excluded.
9 Exclusion of class of care recipients
(1) The class of care recipients who receive flexible care provided through a multi‑purpose service is excluded from classification.
(2) An indefinite period is specified in relation to the class mentioned in subsection (1).
Part 4—Classification levels
10 Purpose of this Part
For section 25‑2 of the Act, this Part sets out classification levels for care recipients being provided with residential care.
11 Classification levels
Care other than respite care
(1) For subsection 25‑2(1) of the Act, the classification level for care recipients being provided with residential care (other than respite care) consists of a domain category for each domain.
Respite care
(2) For subsection 25‑2(1) of the Act, the classification levels for care recipients being provided with residential care as respite care are:
(a) low level residential respite care; and
(b) high level residential respite care.
12 Lowest applicable classification level—care other than respite care
For subsection 25‑2(3) of the Act, the lowest applicable classification level for a care recipient being provided with residential care (other than respite care) consists of the following domain categories:
(a) nil ADL category;
(b) nil behaviour category;
(c) nil CHC category.
Part 5—Appraisals of the level of care needed
13 Purpose of this Part
For section 25‑3 of the Act, this Part specifies:
(a) a circumstance in which subsection 25‑3(2) of the Act does not apply in relation to an appraisal of the level of care needed by a care recipient being provided with residential care, relative to the needs of other care recipients; and
(b) an alternative period during which the appraisal may be made; and
(c) procedures for making the appraisal.
14 Circumstance and alternative period
For subsection 25‑3(2A) of the Act:
(a) subsection 25‑3(2) of the Act does not apply in relation to the appraisal if the care recipient leaves the residential care service through which the care is provided within 7 days after the day the approved provider began providing the care; and
(b) if paragraph (a) applies, the appraisal may be:
(i) made during the period in which the care recipient was provided with the care; and
(ii) given to the Secretary within 28 days after the day the provider began providing the care.
15 Appraisal procedure
(1) For subsection 25‑3(3) of the Act, the procedure set out in subsection (2) is specified for the appraisal.
(2) The person making the appraisal must:
(a) complete an Answer Appraisal Pack in accordance with the User Guide, using:
(i) accurate and reliable information; and
(ii) if required by the Answer Appraisal Pack—the assessment tools in the Assessment Pack; and
(b) complete an application for classification using the completed Answer Appraisal Pack.
Part 6—Suspending approved providers from making appraisals and reappraisals
16 Purpose of this Part
For paragraph 25‑4C(3)(b) of the Act, this Part specifies requirements that must be met by an application for the lifting of a suspension of an approved provider from making appraisals and reappraisals.
17 Requirements for applications for the lifting of suspensions
The application must include information about:
(a) action the approved provider has taken to correct false, misleading or inaccurate information given in appraisals or reappraisals made by the approved provider; and
(b) consultations (if any) held by the approved provider with staff, care recipients or the relatives of care recipients in relation to the giving of the false, misleading or inaccurate information; and
(c) action the approved provider proposes to take to ensure that false, misleading or inaccurate information is not given in future appraisals or reappraisals made by the approved provider.
Part 7—When respite care classifications take effect
18 Purpose of this Part
For section 26‑3 of the Act, this Part specifies the day when a classification of a care recipient in relation to care provided as respite care takes effect.
19 Day of effect
The classification takes effect on the first day the care recipient enters respite care.
Part 8—Expiry and renewal of classifications
20 Purpose of this Part
For sections 27‑2, 27‑4 and 27‑6 of the Act, this Part specifies the following:
(a) different expiry dates in relation to certain classifications;
(b) circumstances in which the care needs of a care recipient are taken to have changed significantly;
(c) procedures the Secretary must follow in determining the appropriate classification level for a care recipient when renewing the care recipient’s classification.
21 Different expiry dates
Care recipient being provided with respite care
(1) For paragraph 27‑2(6)(a) of the Act, the expiry date for the classification of a care recipient to whom the circumstance mentioned in item 7 of the table in subsection 27‑2(1) of the Act applies is the first day after the earlier of the following:
(a) the day in a financial year on which the number of days on which the care recipient has been provided with residential care as respite care in the financial year equals the number of days specified in paragraph 23(1)(c) of the Subsidy Principles 2014;
(b) the day the care recipient’s approval as a care recipient ceases to have effect.
Note: For when a care recipient’s approval as a care recipient ceases to have effect, see Division 23 of the Act.
Care recipient eligible for dementia and severe behaviours supplement
(2) For paragraph 27‑2(6)(a) of the Act:
(a) the expiry date for the classification of a care recipient being provided with residential care whose classification has been renewed because the care recipient became eligible for a dementia and severe behaviours supplement under the Subsidy Principles 2014 is the day immediately after the period of 28 days starting on the day the care recipient ceases being provided with residential care (other than because the care recipient is on leave); and
(b) the expiry date specified in item 5 of the table in subsection 27‑2(1) of the Act does not apply in relation to the classification.
22 Circumstances in which care needs are taken to have changed significantly
For subsection 27‑4(4) of the Act, the care needs of a care recipient being provided with residential care are taken to have changed significantly if the care recipient:
(a) becomes eligible for a dementia and severe behaviours supplement under the Subsidy Principles 2014; or
(b) experiences an event likely to increase the level of care needed by the care recipient by:
(i) 2 or more domain categories within a domain; or
(ii) at least one domain category within 2 or more domains; or
(c) for a care recipient whose classification level includes the high ADL category and the medium CHC category—experiences an event likely to change the level of complex health care needed by the care recipient to the high CHC category.
23 Procedure for determining renewal of classification
For subsection 27‑6(2) of the Act, in determining the appropriate classification level for a care recipient, the procedure mentioned in subsection 6(2) of these principles is specified.
Schedule 1—Scores for question ratings
Note: See section 6.
Part 1—ADL domain
1 Scores
The following table sets out the score for each rating for each question in the ADL domain.
ADL domain
Question
Rating
Score
1 Nutrition
A
0
B
6.69
C
13.39
D
20.09
2 Mobility
A
0
B
6.88
C
13.76
D
20.65
3 Personal hygiene
A
0
B
6.88
C
13.76
D
20.65
4 Toileting
A
0
B
6.11
C
12.21
D
18.31
5 Continence
A
0
B
5.79
C
11.53
D
17.31
Part 2—Behaviour domain
2 Scores
The following table sets out the score for each rating for each question in the behaviour domain.
Behaviour domain
Question
Rating
Score
6 Cognitive skills
A
0
B
6.98
C
13.91
D
20.88
7 Wandering
A
0
B
5.91
C
11.82
D
17.72
8 Verbal behaviour
A
0
B
7.04
C
14.10
D
21.14
9 Physical behaviour
A
0
B
7.70
C
15.40
D
23.11
10 Depression
A
0
B
5.71
C
11.43
D
17.15
Part 3—CHC domain
3 Scores
The following matrix sets out the score for each combination of ratings in the CHC domain.
CHC domain
Matrix
Question 12 Complex health care
Rating
A
B
C
D
Question 11 Medication
A
0
0
2
2
B
0
1
2
3
C
1
1
2
3
D
1
2
3
3
Schedule 2—Domain categories
Note: See section 6.
Part 1—ADL domain
1 Domain categories
The following table sets out the domain category that applies to each domain aggregate range for the ADL domain.
ADL domain
Item
Domain aggregate range
Domain category
1
0–17.99
Nil ADL category
2
18–61.99
Low ADL category
3
62–87.99
Medium ADL category
4
88–100
High ADL category
Part 2—Behaviour domain
2 Domain categories
The following table sets out the domain category that applies to each domain aggregate range for the behaviour domain.
Behaviour domain
Item
Domain aggregate range
Domain category
5
0–12.99
Nil behaviour category
6
13–29.99
Low behaviour category
7
30–49.99
Medium behaviour category
8
50–100
High behaviour category
Part 3—CHC domain
3 Domain categories
The following table sets out the domain category that applies to each overall score for the CHC domain.
CHC domain
Item
Score
Domain category
9
0
Nil CHC category
10
1
Low CHC category
11
2
Medium CHC category
12
3
High CHC category
