Recent provider governance reforms support your rights.
Consumer advisory bodies provide valuable feedback to governing bodies about the quality of care and services they deliver. They help build a person-centred culture committed to quality aged care.
Providers must provide opportunities for people receiving aged care to join a consumer advisory body.
A consumer advisory body collects feedback from members and shares it with providers. Joining lets you share your concerns and ideas with those in charge of your care.
Your provider must consider all the feedback they receive when making decisions. They must also let the consumer advisory body know how they considered the feedback. This helps to improve the services and care you and others receive.
Watch this video to hear directly from Maggie, Jo and Jan from Queen Victoria Care in Tasmania. They talk about what matters to them, and how they partner with the governing body in the design of their care.
Transcript for 'Queen Victoria Care Residential Advisory Committee experiences'
How to join
Even if your provider already has a consumer advisory body or bodies, they must formally (in writing) approach the people in their care at least every 12 months to offer to revise/improve the current advisory body arrangements. This ensures that any changes in the care and services provided, or the advisory body membership or needs of members, are considered and addressed at least annually.
Membership is voluntary.
Your provider will supply details about:
- how it works
- what you need to do
- how they choose members if there are too many nominations.
They'll also ask your representatives if they'd like to join.
If you don't receive an invitation, talk to your provider. If that's difficult or uncomfortable for you, contact us for help.
You can also get support or advice from independent advocacy services.
The Older Person's Advocacy Network (OPAN) Support Line offers free, independent advice.
OPAN, and employees and advocates of each OPAN network organisation, can’t join a consumer advisory body. However, an advocate may be able to attend a consumer advisory body meeting to talk about what they do and your rights.
These arrangements don't apply to services offered through:
- the Commonwealth Home Support Programme
- the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Care program.
More information
- Our video on the reforms includes consumer advisory bodies
- Read our advisory body fact sheet
- Being part of a consumer advisory body - fact sheet
- Use this guide in consumer advisory body meetings to help start conversations and encourage ideas on important topics.