Commonwealth Coat of Arms of Australia

Quality of Care Amendment (Restrictive Practices) Principles 2022

made under the

Aged Care Act 1997

Compilation No. 1

Compilation date: 19 November 2024

Includes amendments: F2024L01464

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Quality of Care Amendment (Restrictive Practices) Principles 2022 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 19 November 2024 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au). The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. For more information on any uncommenced amendments, see the Register for the compiled law.

Application, saving and transitional provisions for provisions and amendments

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. For more information on any modifications, see the Register for the compiled law.

Self-repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

 

 

 

Contents

1 Name

2 Commencement

3 Authority

4 Schedules

Schedule 1—Amendments commencing day after registration

Quality of Care Principles 2014

Schedule 2—Amendments commencing 1 April 2023

Quality of Care Principles 2014

Schedule 3—Amendments commencing 4 years after registration

Quality of Care Principles 2014

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

1  Name

  This instrument is the Quality of Care Amendment (Restrictive Practices) Principles 2022.

2  Commencement

 (1) Each provision of this instrument specified in column 1 of the table commences, or is taken to have commenced, in accordance with column 2 of the table. Any other statement in column 2 has effect according to its terms.

 

Commencement information

Column 1

Column 2

Column 3

Provisions

Commencement

Date/Details

1.  Sections 1 to 4 and anything in this instrument not elsewhere covered by this table

The day after this instrument is registered.

1 December 2022

2.  Schedule 1

The day after this instrument is registered.

1 December 2022

3.  Schedule 2

1 April 2023.

1 April 2023

4.  Schedule 3

The day after the end of the period of 4 years beginning on the day this instrument is registered.

1 December 2026

Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this instrument as originally made. It will not be amended to deal with any later amendments of this instrument.

 (2) Any information in column 3 of the table is not part of this instrument. Information may be inserted in this column, or information in it may be edited, in any published version of this instrument.

3  Authority

  This instrument is made under the Aged Care Act 1997.

4  Schedules

  Each instrument that is specified in a Schedule to this instrument is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this instrument has effect according to its terms.

Schedule 1Amendments commencing day after registration

 

Quality of Care Principles 2014

1  Section 4

Insert:

individual nominee has the meaning given by subsection 5A(2).

medical treatment authority, for a care recipient, means an individual or body that, under the law of the State or Territory in which the care recipient is provided with aged care, has been appointed in writing as an individual or body that can give informed consent to the provision of medical treatment (however described) to the care recipient if the care recipient lacks capacity to give that consent.

nominee group has the meaning given by subsection 5A(3).

restrictive practices nominee has the meaning given by subsection 5A(1).

2  Section 4 (definition of restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker has the meaning given by section 5B.

3  At the end of Part 1

Add:

5A  Nominating restrictive practices nominees

 (1) Restrictive practices nominee, for a restrictive practice in relation to a care recipient, means:

 (a) if there is only a single individual nominee for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient—that individual nominee; or

 (b) if there is only a nominee group for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient—that nominee group; or

 (c) if there is more than one individual nominee, or a nominee group and one or more individual nominees, for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient—the individual nominee or nominee group (as applicable) that takes precedence (see paragraph (9)(a)).

 (2) Individual nominee, for a restrictive practice in relation to a care recipient, means an individual:

 (a) who has been nominated by the care recipient, in accordance with this section, as an individual who can give informed consent to the use of the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient if the care recipient lacks capacity to give that consent; and

 (b) who has agreed, in writing, to the nomination (and has not withdrawn that agreement); and

 (c) who has capacity to give the informed consent mentioned in paragraph (a).

 (3) Nominee group, for a restrictive practice in relation to a care recipient, means a group of individuals:

 (a) who have been nominated by the care recipient, in accordance with this section, as a group of individuals who can jointly give informed consent to the use of the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient if the care recipient lacks capacity to give that consent; and

 (b) each of whom has agreed, in writing, to the nomination (and has not withdrawn that agreement); and

 (c) each of whom has capacity to give the informed consent mentioned in paragraph (a).

 (4) A care recipient may make, vary or revoke a nomination only if the care recipient has capacity to do so.

 (5) A nomination, or a variation or revocation of a nomination, must be made in writing.

 (6) A nomination (or varied nomination) of a group may nominate not more than 3 individuals as members of the group.

 (7) A nomination (or varied nomination) may include only one nomination of a group.

 (8) An individual may be nominated as an individual, or as a member of a group, but not both.

 (9) If a nomination (or a varied nomination) nominates more than one individual nominee, or both one or more individual nominees and a nominee group, the nomination (or varied nomination) must:

 (a) state the order of precedence in which the individual nominees and nominee group (as applicable) are nominated; and

 (b) if a nominee group is nominated—state the rules that will apply if the members of the group cannot agree on whether to give informed consent as mentioned in paragraph (3)(a) in a particular case.

 (10) A care recipient may nominate, as an individual or a member of a group, an individual who is a member of the service staff in relation to an aged care service through which aged care is provided to the care recipient only if the individual is the partner or a relative of the care recipient.

5B  Meaning of restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker

 (1) An individual or body is the restrictive practices substitutedecision maker for a restrictive practice in relation to a care recipient if the individual or body has been appointed, under the law of the State or Territory in which the care recipient is provided with aged care, as an individual or body that can give informed consent to the use of the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient if the care recipient lacks capacity to give that consent.

 (2) The following table has effect if:

 (a) there is no such individual or body appointed for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient under the law of the State or Territory in which the care recipient is provided with aged care; and

 (b) either:

 (i) there is no clear mechanism for appointing such an individual or body under the law of the State or Territory; or

 (ii) an application has been made for an appointment under the law of the State or Territory in relation to the use of the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient, but there is a significant delay in deciding the application.

 

Meaning of restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker

Item

Column 1
For a restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient, if …

Column 2
the restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker for that restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient is …

1

there is a restrictive practices nominee for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient

that restrictive practices nominee.

2

item 1 does not apply to the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient, but the care recipient has a partner:

(a) with whom the care recipient has a close continuing relationship; and

(b) who has agreed, in writing, to act as a restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient (and has not withdrawn that agreement); and

(c) who has capacity to act as a restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient

that partner.

3

items 1 and 2 of this table do not apply to the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient, but the care recipient has a relative or friend:

(a) who, immediately before the care recipient entered aged care of a kind specified in section 15DA, was a carer for the care recipient on an unpaid basis; and

(b) who has a personal interest in the care recipient’s welfare on an unpaid basis; and

(c) with whom the care recipient has a close continuing relationship; and

(d) who has agreed, in writing, to act as a restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient (and has not withdrawn that agreement); and

(e) who has capacity to act as a restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient

(a) if there is 1 such relative or friend—that relative or friend; or

(b) if there are 2 or more such relatives or friends—the eldest of those relatives or friends.

4

items 1, 2 and 3 of this table do not apply to the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient, but the care recipient has a relative or friend:

(a) who has a personal interest in the care recipient’s welfare on an unpaid basis; and

(b) with whom the care recipient has a close continuing relationship; and

(c) who has agreed, in writing, to act as a restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient (and has not withdrawn that agreement); and

(d) who has capacity to act as a restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient

(a) if there is 1 such relative or friend—that relative or friend; or

(b) if there are 2 or more such relatives or friends—the eldest of those relatives or friends.

5

items 1, 2, 3 and 4 of this table do not apply to the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient, but there is a medical treatment authority for the care recipient

(a) if there is 1 such medical treatment authority—that medical treatment authority; or

(b) if there are 2 or more such medical treatment authorities and the law of the State or Territory in which the care recipient is provided with aged care provides for the order of precedence of the medical treatment authorities—the medical treatment authority that takes precedence under that law; or

(c) if:

(i) there are 2 or more medical treatment authorities; and

(ii) the law of the State or Territory in which the care recipient is provided with aged care does not provide for the order of precedence of the medical treatment authorities; and

(iii) 1 of the medical treatment authorities is an individual;

 that individual; or

(d) if:

(i) there are 2 or more medical treatment authorities; and

(ii) the law of the State or Territory in which the care recipient is provided with aged care does not provide for the order of precedence of the medical treatment authorities; and

(iii) 1 or more of the medical treatment authorities are individuals;

 the eldest of those individuals.

 (3) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of column 1 of item 3 in the table in subsection (2), a person was a carer for the care recipient on an unpaid basis if:

 (a) the person was not employed, hired, retained or contracted (whether directly or through an employment or recruiting agency) as a carer for the care recipient; and

 (b) no payment or benefit other than one or more of the following was or will be made or given to the person for being a carer for the care recipient:

 (i) a carer payment or equivalent benefit;

 (ii) payment in kind;

 (iii) a payment or benefit as a beneficiary under the care recipient’s will.

 (4) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of column 1 of item 3 in the table and paragraph (a) of column 1 of item 4 in the table in subsection (2), a person has a personal interest in the care recipient’s welfare on an unpaid basis if:

 (a) the person is not employed, hired, retained or contracted (whether directly or through an employment or recruiting agency) to have that interest; and

 (b) no payment or benefit other than one or more of the following is or will be made or given to the person for having that interest:

 (i) a carer payment or equivalent benefit;

 (ii) payment in kind;

 (iii) a payment or benefit as a beneficiary under the care recipient’s will.

4  At the end of section 15D

Add:

 ; and (e) specifies persons and bodies in relation to the giving of informed consent to the use of restrictive practices in relation to care recipients.

5  Paragraph 15FA(1)(f)

After “use of the restrictive practice”, insert “, and how it is to be used (including its duration, frequency and intended outcome),”.

6  After paragraph 15FA(1)(f)

Insert:

 (fa) the use of the restrictive practice is in accordance with the informed consent mentioned in paragraph (f);

7  Subsection 15FA(2)

After “(f)”, insert “, (fa)”.

8  At the end of paragraph 15FC(1)(a)

Add:

 and (iv) obtained informed consent to the prescribing of the medication for the purpose of using the chemical restraint;

9  Subparagraph 15FC(1)(b)(v)

After “medication”, insert “for the purpose of using the chemical restraint”.

10  After subparagraph 15FC(1)(b)(v)

Insert:

 (va) that the approved provider is satisfied that the practitioner obtained informed consent to the prescribing of the medication;

 (vb) the details of the prescription for the prescribed medication, including its name, dosage and when it may be used;

11  Paragraph 15FC(1)(c)

Repeal the paragraph (not including the note), substitute:

 (c) the use of the medication for the purpose of using the chemical restraint is in accordance with the prescription mentioned in subparagraph (b)(vb).

12  Subsection 15FC(2)

Omit “paragraphs (1)(b) and (c)”, substitute “subparagraph (1)(a)(iv) and paragraph (1)(b)”.

13  Paragraph 15GB(d)

Omit “paragraph 15FC(1)(b)”, substitute “subparagraphs 15FC(1)(b)(i) to (v) and (vb) to (vii)”.

14  At the end of Division 4 of Part 4A

Add:

15GC  Responsibilities relating to nominations of restrictive practices nominees

Preventing coercion and duress

 (1) An approved provider must take reasonable steps to ensure that:

 (a) a care recipient to whom the approved provider provides aged care is not subject to coercion or duress in making, varying or revoking a nomination under section 5A; and

 (b) an individual nominated under section 5A (whether as an individual or as a member of a group) is not subject to coercion or duress in agreeing as mentioned in paragraph 5A(2)(b) or (3)(b), or in withdrawing that agreement.

Assisting care recipients

 (2) If a care recipient nominates an individual under section 5A (whether as an individual or as a member of a group), the approved provider of the aged care service through which aged care is provided to the care recipient must assist the care recipient to:

 (a) notify the individual of the nomination; and

 (b) give the individual a copy of the nomination; and

 (c) seek the individual’s agreement as mentioned in paragraph 5A(2)(b) or (3)(b).

Keeping records

 (3) If a care recipient nominates an individual under section 5A (whether as an individual or as a member of a group), the approved provider of the aged care service through which aged care is provided to the care recipient must keep a record of:

 (a) the nomination; and

 (b) whether the individual has agreed as mentioned in paragraph 5A(2)(b) or (3)(b); and

 (c) if the individual has agreed as mentioned in paragraph 5A(2)(b) or (3)(b)—whether the individual has withdrawn that agreement.

15  At the end of Part 4A

Add:

Division 6Giving of informed consent by certain persons and bodies

15J  Giving of informed consent by certain persons or bodies

  For the purposes of paragraph 5411(2)(a) of the Act (which refers to the giving of informed consent to the use of a restrictive practice in relation to a care recipient), a person or body that is a restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient under any of the items of the table in subsection 5B(2) of this instrument is specified.

Schedule 2Amendments commencing 1 April 2023

 

Quality of Care Principles 2014

1  After paragraph 15HC(e)

Insert:

 (ea) if the care recipient lacks the capacity to give informed consent to the use of the restrictive practice:

 (i) whether subsection 5B(1), or an item of the table in subsection 5B(2), applies for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient, and why that subsection or item applies; and

 (ii) the name of that restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient;

2  Paragraph 15HC(g)

After “use of the restrictive practice”, insert “, and how it is to be used (including its duration, frequency and intended outcome),”.

3  Section 15HC (note)

Repeal the note, substitute:

Note: Sections 15FB and 15FC also require other matters to be documented in the behaviour support plan.

4  At the end of paragraph 15HD(a)

Add:

 (v) whether its use was in accordance with the informed consent set out under paragraph 15HC(g);

5  Paragraph 15HE(d)

After “about the ongoing use of the restrictive practice”, insert “, and how it is to be used (including its duration, frequency and intended outcome),”.

Schedule 3Amendments commencing 4 years after registration

 

Quality of Care Principles 2014

1  Section 4

Repeal the following definitions:

 (a) definition of individual nominee;

 (b) definition of medical treatment authority;

 (c) definition of nominee group;

 (d) definition of restrictive practices nominee.

2  Section 4 (definition of restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker)

Repeal the definition, substitute:

restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker, for a restrictive practice in relation to a care recipient, means an individual or body that, under the law of the State or Territory in which the care recipient is provided with aged care, has been appointed as an individual or body that can give informed consent to the use of the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient if the care recipient lacks capacity to give that consent.

3  Sections 5A, 5B and 15GC

Repeal the sections.

4  Paragraph 15HC(ea)

Repeal the paragraph, substitute:

 (ea) if the care recipient lacks the capacity to give informed consent to the use of the restrictive practice—the name of the restrictive practices substitute decisionmaker for the restrictive practice in relation to the care recipient;

5  Division 6 of Part 4A

Repeal the Division.

Endnotes

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

The endnotes provide information about this compilation and the compiled law.

The following endnotes are included in every compilation:

Endnote 1—About the endnotes

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

Endnote 3—Legislation history

Endnote 4—Amendment history

Abbreviation key—Endnote 2

The abbreviation key sets out abbreviations that may be used in the endnotes.

Legislation history and amendment history—Endnotes 3 and 4

Amending laws are annotated in the legislation history and amendment history.

The legislation history in endnote 3 provides information about each law that has amended (or will amend) the compiled law. The information includes commencement details for amending laws and details of any application, saving or transitional provisions that are not included in this compilation.

The amendment history in endnote 4 provides information about amendments at the provision (generally section or equivalent) level. It also includes information about any provision of the compiled law that has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law.

Editorial changes

The Legislation Act 2003 authorises First Parliamentary Counsel to make editorial and presentational changes to a compiled law in preparing a compilation of the law for registration. The changes must not change the effect of the law. Editorial changes take effect from the compilation registration date.

If the compilation includes editorial changes, the endnotes include a brief outline of the changes in general terms. Full details of any changes can be obtained from the Office of Parliamentary Counsel.

Misdescribed amendments

A misdescribed amendment is an amendment that does not accurately describe how an amendment is to be made. If, despite the misdescription, the amendment can be given effect as intended, then the misdescribed amendment can be incorporated through an editorial change made under section 15V of the Legislation Act 2003.

If a misdescribed amendment cannot be given effect as intended, the amendment is not incorporated and “(md not incorp)” is added to the amendment history.

 

Endnote 2—Abbreviation key

ad = added or inserted

o = order(s)

am = amended

Ord = Ordinance

amdt = amendment

orig = original

c = clause(s)

par = paragraph(s)/subparagraph(s)

C[x] = Compilation No. x

/subsubparagraph(s)

Ch = Chapter(s)

pres = present

def = definition(s)

prev = previous

Dict = Dictionary

(prev…) = previously

disallowed = disallowed by Parliament

Pt = Part(s)

Div = Division(s)

r = regulation(s)/rule(s)

ed = editorial change

reloc = relocated

exp = expires/expired or ceases/ceased to have

renum = renumbered

effect

rep = repealed

F = Federal Register of Legislation

rs = repealed and substituted

gaz = gazette

s = section(s)/subsection(s)

LA = Legislation Act 2003

Sch = Schedule(s)

LIA = Legislative Instruments Act 2003

Sdiv = Subdivision(s)

(md) = misdescribed amendment can be given

SLI = Select Legislative Instrument

effect

SR = Statutory Rules

(md not incorp) = misdescribed amendment

SubCh = SubChapter(s)

cannot be given effect

SubPt = Subpart(s)

mod = modified/modification

underlining = whole or part not

No. = Number(s)

commenced or to be commenced

 

Endnote 3—Legislation history

 

Name

Registration

Commencement

Application, saving and transitional provisions

Quality of Care Amendment (Restrictive Practices) Principles 2022

30 Nov 2022 (F2022L01548)

Sch 2: 1 Apr 2023 (s 2(1) item 3)
Sch 3: 1 Dec 2026 (s 2(1) item 4)
Remainder: 1 Dec 2022 (s 2(1) items 1, 2)

 

Quality of Care Amendment (Restrictive Practices) Principles 2024

18 Nov 2024 (F2024L01464)

19 Nov 2024 (s 2(1) item 1)

 

Endnote 4—Amendment history

 

Provision affected

How affected

s 2.....................

am F2024L01464

Schedule 3

 

Schedule 3 heading..........

am F2024L01464