Below are a number of useful aged care links for Partner Associations, Government Associations, Consumer Bodies, Quality Assurance Standards and Training & Development.

Partner Associations

Aged Care Association Australia – NSW
http://www.acaansw.com.au/
The Association represents the private, church, charitable, and community sectors striving for excellence in aged care in a commercially viable environment.  It promotes and provides a range of services, support and representation within the Aged Care industry with its aim to improve the political, economic and social environment in which the Aged Care industry operates.

Aged & Community Services Association of NSW & ACT (ACSA – NSW)
http://www.agedservices.asn.au/
The Aged & Community Services Association of NSW & ACT Inc (ACS) is a registered industrial organisation of employers who are aged and community care providers in the non-profit, charitable sector. The ACS is a representative organisation. It represents members’ views politically at a Commonwealth and State level, either directly in its own right or indirectly via Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA).  The ACS provides a comprehensive, one-stop shop for not-for-profit member organisations and for those for-profit organisations that join their Industry Advice Scheme.

Aged Care Association Australia
http://www.agedcareassociation.com.au/
The Aged Care Association Australia is a professional, national industry association for providers of quality residential and community aged care services. It is a federated peak body and the only organisation that represents care providers from the private and voluntary sectors on a national basis.  ACAA provides a representative voice for the residential care industry to the Commonwealth and State governments, all associated agencies and professional bodies, via a structure of autonomous state association, and a national presence in Canberra.  ACAA provides its members with a range of national and local services and benefits.

Catholic Health Australia
http://www.cha.org.au/
Catholic Health Australia is the largest non-government provider grouping of health, community and aged care services in Australia, nationally epresenting Catholic health care sponsors, systems, facilities, and related organisations and services.

Government Associations

Commonwealth Department of Health & Ageing
http://www.health.gov.au/
The Department of Health and Ageing has a diverse set of responsibilities with its common purpose being reflected in its mission to ensure better health and active ageing for all Australians.  It undertakes an advisory role as well as improving program management, research, regulation and partnerships with other government agencies, consumers and stakeholders.

NSW Department of Health
http://www.health.nsw.gov.au/
NSW Department of Health supports the executive and statutory roles of the NSW Minister for Health and the Minister Assisting the Minister for Health (Mental Health and Cancer).  The Department monitors the performance of the NSW public health system, known as NSW Health.

Australian Institute of Health & Welfare
http://www.aihw.gov.au/
Australia's national agency for health and welfare statistics and information.

Centrelink on Age Pension Eligibility and Rates
http://www.centrelink.gov.au/internet/internet.nsf/home/index.htm
Centrelink is an Australian Government statutory agency, delivering a range of Commonwealth services to the Australian community.

Commonwealth Government Departments
http://www.australia.gov.au/
Australian Government website.

Aged Care Funding Instrument – ACFI
http://www.health.gov.au/acfi
The Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) is the means of allocating Australian Government subsidy to residential aged care providers with the above link providing a wide range of information on ACFI.

Medicare – Aged Care Payments
http://www.medicareaustralia.gov.au/provider/aged-care/index.jsp
Medicare Australia administers Aged Care payments to approved providers across a range of residential, community, and flexible Aged Care programs with above link providing information on what is available.

Department of Veteran Affairs
http://www.dva.gov.au/Pages/home.aspx
DVA is the federal government department dealing with issues related to veterans & returned soldiers including health & pension matters.

Palliative Care Australia
http://www.palliativecare.org.au/
Palliative Care Australia is the National peak body representing the interests of palliative care service providers including anyone with an interest in palliative care both nationally and internationally.

Returned Services League NSW
http://www.rslnsw.com.au/
RSL NSW ensures that programs are in place for the well-being, care, compensation and commemoration of serving and ex-service Defence Force members and their dependants; and promote Government and community awareness of the need for a secure, stable and progressive Australia.

Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs)
http://www.ncahs.nsw.gov.au/community-health/index.php?pageid=675&siteid=183
Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs) can help you decide which services you need. They can help you to get residential care or a Community Aged Care Package (CACP), refer you to community care services, or help you arrange respite care in a residential setting. Lists contact details, role of ACATS, Assessment & Approval Guidelines.

Commonwealth CareLink Centres
http://www.health.gov.au/internet/main/publishing.nsf/Content/health-mediarel-yr2000-bb-bb20084.htm
Commonwealth CareLink Centres are information centres for older people, people with disabilities and those who provide care and services. Centres provide free and confidential information on community aged care, disability and other support services available locally, interstate or anywhere within Australia.

Seniors.gov.au
http://www.seniors.gov.au/
Seniors.gov.au enhances the quality of life for older Australians through access to a wide range of online information, services and exciting interactive features dealing with active and healthy ageing, including finances, planning, retirement, health, housing, rights and aged care options in Australia, for older people, their carers, family and friends.

Quality Assurance & Standards

Aged Care Standards & Accreditation Agency
http://www.accreditation.org.au/
The Agency is an independent company limited by guarantee, and subject to the Corporations Act 2001 and the Commonwealth Authorities and Companies Act 1997. It is the body appointed by the Department of Health and Ageing as the accreditation body under the Aged Care Act 1997.  The Agency fulfils its functions using processes and principles set down in legislation, notably the Aged Care Act 1997, the Accountability Principles 1998, and the Accreditation Grant Principles 1999.

Training & Development

NSW Community Services & Health ITAB
http://www.csh-itab.com.au/index.html
NSW CSH ITAB is the key training and assessment information resource hub for the community services and health sectors, providing advocacy, advice, support and leadership. It is a not for profit association formed from, and made up entirely of people and organisations associated with the industry.  It is the authoritative voice on the provision of training for the community services and health industry in New South Wales.

Consumer Bodies

Alzheimers Association NSW
http://www.acaansw.com.au/
Alzheimer's Australia NSW supports leadership in dementia policy and services, encourages and participates in research initiatives and aims to extend the knowledge and skills of others working with people with dementia, their families and carers.

Combined Pensioners 
http://www.cpsa.org.au/
Combined Pensioners & Superannuants Association of NSW Inc (CPSA) serves the interests of pensioner groups in the state of New South Wales. The goals of CPSA include informing governments, local councils and parlimentarians, informing pensioners, superannuants, low income retirees and the public, providing a consumer voice on committees providing community and low cost social activities through its branches.  CPSA aims to improve the living standards, community services and lifestyle choices of pensioners of all ages, superannuants and low income retirees, as well as promoting their rights and dignity.

COTA National Seniors
http://www.cota.org.au/
COTA National Seniors protects and promotes the well-being of all older people. It is an independent consumer organisation run by and for older Australians.

Dementia Care Australia
http://www.dementiacareaustralia.com/index.html
Dementia Care Australia provides a range of Services and Resources to help you cope with dementia. Underlying all our work is the philosophy that the 'Spark of Life' can be rekindled and the lives of people with dementia and their carers truly enriched.

CarePathways
http://www.carepathways.com/
CarePathways.com created and maintained by RNs dedicated to providing seniors and their families access to quality information and creditable services. On-line access to extensive care facilities database and personal care, mobility, safety, and comfort products.

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