ACSA Celebrates Removal of Commonwealth Building Certification Process for Residential Aged Care

Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) has had a significant win for the aged care sector with the removal of the Commonwealth building certification process for residential aged care.
Adj Prof John G Kelly AM, CEO of Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) said that each state and territory has its own planning codes and the only impact of a Commonwealth building certification process was to make more work for aged care providers.
"ACSA presented in its submissions to the National Commission of Audit and the Federal Budget preparation a list of 14 measures to reduce red tape, including the removal of the Commonwealth building certification process," Professor Kelly said. "This will have no effect on the safety of residents or the care they receive. It was purely a duplication of rigorous processes.
"We are delighted that this has been removed and would encourage the Senate to support Schedule 9 - Social Services which repeals building certification requirements in the Aged Care Act 1997 that duplicate state and territory building regulations. "I see this as the start of a lengthy process of ongoing red tape reduction.
"In accordance and consistent with the release on Monday by Josh Frydenberg, Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister, of The Australian Government Guide to Regulation, certification repeals are a good first point.
"ACSA's detailed submissions have been discussed with Mr Frydenberg and Minister for Social Services, Kevin Andrews, and Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield.
"Red tape reduction will need to be replicated in the Budget and throughout the year.
"ACSA will be working closely with the Government to actively pursue the removal of more red tape.  This a welcome first step but there is much more to do."