Many aged care providers are missing mandatory targets

Mandatory aged-care standards are slipping at some facilities, with peak bodies worried the needs of elderly people are not being met.

New federal government data shows just 40 per cent of aged-care providers met mandatory targets for total minutes of care for residents and for care given by registered nurses in the three months ending in June.

The figures showed 23 per cent of for-profit providers met both targets, compared with 44 per cent of not-for-profits.

On average, the sector as a whole exceeded targets for total care minutes delivered to residents per day at almost 208 minutes, compared with the target for the quarter of nearly 205 minutes.

Advocacy group for older Australians, COTA, said the figures are alarming, calling for more to be done to ensure aged residents received more support.

Chief executive Patricia Sparrow said facilities had an urgent responsibility to improve standards.

"The fact that too many older people are still not getting the mandated minutes of care is a real concern," she said.

"Australians have a right to expect that if they or a loved one goes into aged care they'll be given the attention and quality care they need to deserve.

"Basic direct care isn't a 'nice to have', it's crucial and the absolute minimum we should expect for older Australians in care."

Targets for the sector for the number of mandatory care minutes and time with a registered nurse were a key recommendation from the royal commission into aged care.

The targets, which came into effect from October, require providers to increase the care-minute average to 215 minutes per resident per day, including 44 minutes of care by a registered nurse.

Ms Sparrow said it was concerning the rates of compliance with the mandatory minimums was lower in the for-profit sector.

"We shouldn't have a situation where aged-care homes are making profits off government funding while falling short of their mandatory care targets," she said.

"This data shows that far too many older people are going without the basic, mandated level of care they deserve."

The data comes as a parliamentary inquiry will examine proposed reforms to the aged care sector in its first round of hearings on Thursday.

The federal government and the opposition struck a deal in September for a $5.6 billion aged care package, which will allow people to live independently at home for longer before going into an aged-care facility.

It''s estimated 1.4 million Australians will benefit from the changes expected to come into effect from July.

The aged care inspector-general will give evidence at Thursday's hearing, along with Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission officials.