Inspector-General of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023

Administered by Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Legislation au C2023A00056 In force Act

Legislation content

 

 

 

 

 

 

InspectorGeneral of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023

 

No. 56, 2023

 

 

 

 

 

An Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters arising from the enactment of the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care Act 2023, and for related purposes

 

 

Contents

1 Short title

2 Commencement

3 Schedules

Schedule 1—Consequential amendments

Aged Care Act 1997

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018

National AntiCorruption Commission Act 2022

Schedule 2—Application, saving and transitional provisions

 

 

Inspector-General of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023

No. 56, 2023

 

 

 

An Act to deal with consequential and transitional matters arising from the enactment of the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care Act 2023, and for related purposes

[Assented to 17 August 2023]

The Parliament of Australia enacts:

1  Short title

  This Act is the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023.

2  Commencement

 (1) Each provision of this Act 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.  The whole of this Act

At the same time as the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care Act 2023 commences.

However, the provisions do not commence at all if that Act does not commence.

16 October 2023

Note: This table relates only to the provisions of this Act as originally enacted.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

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

3  Schedules

  Legislation that is specified in a Schedule to this Act is amended or repealed as set out in the applicable items in the Schedule concerned, and any other item in a Schedule to this Act has effect according to its terms.

Schedule 1—Consequential amendments

 

Aged Care Act 1997

1  After paragraph 863(1)(b)

Insert:

 (baa) to the *InspectorGeneral of Aged Care to assist in the performance of the functions, or the exercise of the powers, of the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care under the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care Act 2023 or instruments made under that Act; and

2  Clause 1 of Schedule 1

Insert:

InspectorGeneral of Aged Care means the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care referred to in section 9 of the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care Act 2023.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018

3  Section 7

Insert:

InspectorGeneral of Aged Care means the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care referred to in section 9 of the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care Act 2023.

4  After paragraph 61(1)(b)

Insert:

 (ba) to the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care to assist in the performance of the functions, or the exercise of the powers, of the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care under the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care Act 2023 or instruments made under that Act; or

National Anti‑Corruption Commission Act 2022

5  Section 7

Insert:

InspectorGeneral of Aged Care means the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care referred to in section 9 of the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care Act 2023.

6  After paragraph 15(p)

Insert:

 (pa) the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care;

Schedule 2—Application, saving and transitional provisions

 

1  Definitions

In this Schedule:

IGAC Act means the InspectorGeneral of Aged Care Act 2023.

InspectorGeneral has the same meaning as in the IGAC Act.

interim InspectorGeneral means an InspectorGeneral of Aged Care appointed by the Secretary on an interim basis before the transition time.

transition time means the commencement of the IGAC Act.

2  Transfer of records

(1) This item applies to any records or documents that were in the possession of the following immediately before the transition time:

 (a) the interim InspectorGeneral;

 (b) an APS employee of the Department who, before that time, was assisting the interim InspectorGeneral.

(2) The records and documents are to be transferred to the InspectorGeneral after the transition time.

Note: The records and documents are Commonwealth records for the purposes of the Archives Act 1983.

3  Review may relate to matters occurring before or after transition time

The InspectorGeneral may conduct a review under section 17 of the IGAC Act for the purpose of performing a function referred to in paragraphs 10(1)(a) to (d) of that Act in relation to the performance of functions, duties or obligations, exercise of powers or rights, establishment of systems or implementation of recommendations referred to in those paragraphs before or after the transition time.

4  Rules

(1) The Minister may, by legislative instrument, make rules prescribing matters:

 (a) required or permitted by this Act to be prescribed by the rules; or

 (b) necessary or convenient to be prescribed for carrying out or giving effect to this Act.

(2) Without limiting subitem (1), the rules may prescribe matters of a transitional nature (including prescribing any saving or application provisions) relating to:

 (a) the amendments or repeals made by this Act; or

 (b) the enactment of this Act or the IGAC Act.

(3) To avoid doubt, the rules may not do the following:

 (a) create an offence or civil penalty;

 (b) provide powers of:

 (i) arrest or detention; or

 (ii) entry, search or seizure;

 (c) impose a tax;

 (d) set an amount to be appropriated from the Consolidated Revenue Fund under an appropriation in this Act or the IGAC Act;

 (e) directly amend the text of this Act or the IGAC Act.

 

 

 

 

[Minister’s second reading speech made in—

House of Representatives on 22 March 2023

Senate on 10 May 2023]

 

(33/23)

 

Overview

The Inspector-General of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023, enacted by the Parliament of Australia and assented to on 17 August 2023, addresses the consequential and transitional issues arising from the implementation of the Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023. The primary objective of this Act is to ensure a seamless transition and to manage any legal ramifications that may emerge due to the introduction of the new aged care oversight framework. This legislative measure was introduced to provide a structured approach to handling the changes and to ensure that all related provisions and documents are appropriately managed and updated to reflect the new legal landscape. The Act includes consequential amendments to existing legislation such as the Aged Care Act 1997, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022, to align with the new provisions of the Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023. Additionally, the Act outlines transitional provisions, including the transfer of records from interim Inspectors-General to the newly appointed Inspector-General, and rules for the making of legislative instruments to facilitate the smooth operation of the new aged care oversight framework.

Scope and Application

The Inspector-General of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023 applies to consequential and transitional matters arising from the enactment of the Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023. This Act is designed to ensure a smooth transition and to address any legal or administrative issues that may arise as a result of the establishment of the Inspector-General of Aged Care. The Act applies to any records or documents held by the interim Inspector-General of Aged Care or an Australian Public Service employee assisting the interim Inspector-General before the transition time, which is defined as the commencement of the Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023. These records and documents are to be transferred to the Inspector-General post-transition and are considered Commonwealth records under the Archives Act 1983. The Act also allows the Inspector-General to conduct reviews of matters that occurred before or after the transition time, enabling the performance of functions and duties under the Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023. Additionally, the Act provides for the Minister to make rules that are necessary for carrying out or giving effect to this Act, including transitional matters, but these rules cannot create offences, provide certain powers, impose taxes, or directly amend the text of this or related Acts. The Act has a Commonwealth jurisdictional reach and operates in conjunction with other specified Acts, including the Aged Care Act 1997, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018, and the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022. These related Acts are amended to incorporate references to the Inspector-General of Aged Care as defined in the Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023. The Act itself does not specify any exclusions or exemptions but notes that subordinate instruments (rules) may be used to address transitional matters, with clear limitations on the scope of these rules.

Key Provisions

The Inspector-General of Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Act 2023 (Act) primarily focuses on making consequential and transitional amendments necessary due to the enactment of the Inspector-General of Aged Care Act 2023 (IGAC Act). The Act includes provisions that amend existing legislation to align with the new IGAC Act and to ensure a smooth transition in the responsibilities and functions of the Inspector-General of Aged Care. For example, the Act amends the Aged Care Act 1997 (s.1), the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018 (s.3), and the National Anti-Corruption Commission Act 2022 (s.5) to include definitions and references to the Inspector-General of Aged Care as defined in the IGAC Act (s.9). Additionally, the Act specifies that the Inspector-General may conduct reviews related to matters occurring before or after the transition time (Schedule 2, item 4). The Act imposes several obligations on the parties it governs, particularly on the Inspector-General of Aged Care and the Minister. For instance, the Inspector-General must ensure the transfer of any records or documents that were in the possession of the interim Inspector-General or Department employees assisting the interim Inspector-General, to themselves after the transition time (Schedule 2, item 2). The Minister is given the authority to make rules under the Act that are necessary or convenient for carrying out or giving effect to the Act, including transitional matters (Schedule 2, item 4(1) and (2)). These rules cannot create offences, provide powers of arrest or detention, or directly amend the text of the Act or the IGAC Act (Schedule 2, item 4(3)). In terms of penalties and consequences for breaches, the Act does not specify criminal offences or civil penalties within its text. However, the rules made under the Act cannot create offences or civil penalties (Schedule 2, item 4(3)(a)). The Act's focus is primarily on ensuring a smooth transition and alignment of existing legislation with the new IGAC Act, rather than on punitive measures for non-compliance. Instead, the obligations and transitional provisions outlined in the Act are designed to maintain continuity and effectiveness in the oversight and regulation of aged care services.

Legal classification tags

Area of Law
Administrative Law
Regulatory Standards
Instrument
Act
Concepts
Commencement Provisions
Regulatory Standards
Delegated & Subordinate Legislation
Transitional Provisions

Interactions

Authorises

All Versions

Sourced from the Federal Register of Legislation at 26 August 2026. For the latest information on Australian Government law please go to https://www.legislation.gov.au.