Ms Liz Hefren-Webb has been appointed as the new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner, commencing January 20 2025.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner is a critical role in leading the national regulator of aged care, protecting the health, safety and wellbeing of older people.
Ms Hefren-Webb is an experienced leader with an extensive background in social policy and programs, many of which are underpinned by regulatory frameworks. She brings strong strategic capabilities and highly developed stakeholder engagement and decision-making skills.
Ms Hefren-Webb is currently Deputy Secretary, Social Policy, Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet. She has previously held senior leadership roles at the Department of Social Services and other Australian Government agencies. Her leadership in areas such as the National Redress Scheme and the COVID-19 pandemic response has involved complex and sensitive consumer and stakeholder engagement.
This combination of skills and experience will equip Ms Hefren-Webb to lead the Commission to a mature state as a contemporary, trusted and high performing regulator. She will drive positive change to work with the aged care sector and implement historic reforms through the Aged Care Act 2024.
Ms Hefren-Webb will report directly to the Minister for Aged Care, The Hon Anika Wells MP.
Ms Janet Anderson PSM will continue as Commissioner until Ms Hefren-Webb's commencement.
Ms Anderson is the inaugural Commissioner, having held the role since 1 January 2019.
Ms Anderson led the Commission through major change and growth, including implementation of the new Aged Care Quality Standards, the establishment of the Serious Incident Response Scheme, 24/7 registered nurse coverage, and mandatory care minutes.
Ms Anderson also led work within the Commission on delivering recommendations of the Independent Capability Review of the organisation.
This work has strengthened the Commission's capability to regulate, engage with and support aged care providers to deliver better quality care to older people.
In accordance with the government's Merit and Transparency Policy, the appointment of Ms Hefren-Webb followed a publicly advertised, merit-based selection process.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Aged Care, Anika Wells:
"Ms Liz Hefren-Webb's strong leadership skills and knowledge of social policy will help us continue to protect older Australians.
"I thank Ms Janet Anderson PSM for her commitment to providing excellent leadership of the Commission for the past six years, through a time of major change and challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic.
"I look forward to working with Liz as she leads the Commission through the delivery of the new Aged Care Act, a new regulatory environment, strengthened Quality Standards and beyond."
Quotes attributable to the new Commissioner, Liz Hefren-Webb:
"I am honoured to have the opportunity to contribute to making aged care services better for older people in Australia.
"This is a pivotal time for the aged care sector and those who access aged care services as the new Aged Care Act, that has older people at the centre, begins from 1 July 2025. I look forward to leading the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission through this time of change."
"Through effective regulation of the aged care sector, I am confident that Australia's aged care system will protect the health, safety and wellbeing of older people now and into the future."
