Single Voice for Aged Care Providers

The national peak body for not-for-profit aged care providers, Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) has announced plans to pursue a merger with the for-profit peak, Aged Care Association Australia (ACAA).

“ACSA President Klaus Zimmermann said the ACSA Board has resolved to seek support of its State members for a merged national body. It is proposed that the existing State Associations of ACSA and ACAA become the members of the new national entity.”

“The merger or restructure of our organisation has been an ongoing debate for many years,” Mr Zimmermann said.

“The Government’s commitment to reform the aged care system and the Productivity Commission inquiry provided an unprecedented impetus to resolve the issue once and for all.

“The proposed Productivity Commission reforms will require consensus and support from all stakeholders including consumers, providers, health professionals and government.

“Aged care providers will be at the forefront of the reforms and a new national peak will help provide a stronger focus for the industry.”

In the past 12 months ACSA has investigated a range of options for restructure and consulted members widely.

“Maintaining a federation of states with a merged national peak emerged as the preferred option following a recent member survey undertaken by McGregor Tan Research,” Mr Zimmermann said.

“Our members will be asked to vote on the proposed merger at a general meeting in November this year.

“ACSA will also build on its strong  links with ACAA to pursue the goal of a single voice for aged care.”

A taskforce of three ACSA Board members will oversee the transition process to a new organisation.

“We are on the verge of a new era of aged care and we are confident a united peak body will help drive the reforms,” Mr Zimmermann said.

Media contact: Chris Hornsey 0419 513 432 chornsey@agedcare.org.au