Polio Australia encourages every polio survivor to make a submission to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. On this page, we have outlined some information to help you make your submission, and ensure your voice is heard.

What is the Royal Commission into Aged Care?

A royal commission is the highest level of public inquiry in Australia. Its main functions are to investigate an issue, produce a report and make recommendations to government. This work is informed by extensive input from members of the community, who are invited to share their concerns about the matter/s being investigated.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was established by the Federal Government in 2018 in response to growing concerns about the quality of aged care in Australia. Read more.

What will the Royal Commission investigate?

The Royal Commission will explore issues relating to care that is provided in residential settings as well as care that is provided in the home. The exact issues to be investigated are set out in the Royal Commission’s terms of reference.

The Royal Commission is only interested in events that have taken place since 1 July, 2013, or issues that are still of relevance now.

The Royal Commission does not have the power to:

• Resolve individual complaints.
• Award compensation.
• Order another party, such as an aged care provider, to take action.
• Make criminal charges against individuals or providers, although criminal proceedings can follow from a Royal Commission’s findings.

Telling your story to the Royal Commission

If you or someone you know has concerns about the quality of aged care, the Royal Commission needs to hear your story. Stories and personal accounts that are provided to the Royal Commission are called “submissions”.

You will have until at least September 2019 to provide your story to the Royal Commission. There is no right or wrong way to tell your story. You can:

• Use COTA Victorias Submission Template (clicking this link will download a word document)
• Set out your submission as a Standard Letter (clicking this link will download a word document)
• Set out your submission as a list of numbered or bulleted points
• Complete your submission using the online form on the Royal Commission website
• Phone the Royal Commission Information Line on 1800 960 711 and provide your story verbally. The person you speak with can help you put it into writing.

I am a polio survivor: should I make a submission and what should I write about?

Polio Australia is making a submission on behalf of all polio survivors. However, we encourage every individual to make their own submission. It is important to have your voice heard and for the Commission hear about the issues that face polio survivors, from as many people as possible.

Polio Australia has put together a document with some key experiences of other polio survivors, and some of the focuses of Polio Australia’s submission. These examples may or may not be relevant to you – and it is important to write only about your own experience.

Contacting the Royal Commission

You can contact the Royal Commission in any of the following ways:

• Phone: 1800 960 711
• Email: [email protected]
• Web: agedcare.royalcommission.gov.au
• Mail: Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, GPO Box 1151, Adelaide SA 5001