New quality commissioner appointed

Federal bureaucrat Liz Hefren-Webb has been appointed as the incoming Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner.

Ms Hefren-Webb, who is currently deputy secretary of social policy in the Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet, has an extensive background in social policy and programs, many of which are underpinned by regulatory frameworks along with strong strategic capabilities and stakeholder engagement skills.

She said she was 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,” she said in a statement.

“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.”

Ms Hefren-Webb has also held senior leadership roles at the Department of Social Services and other Australian Government agencies.

Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells welcomed Ms Hefren-Webb to her new post.
 
“Ms Liz Hefren-Webb’s strong leadership skills and knowledge of social policy will help us continue to protect older Australians,” she said.

“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.”

Older Persons Advocacy Network chief executive officer Craig Gear also congratulated Ms Hefren-Webb on her new position.

“She will be tasked with the enormous job of upholding the health, safety and wellbeing of older people,” Mr Gear said.

“This appointment comes at a pivotal time in the aged care sector as we move towards a rights-based Aged Care Act in 2025.”

“I look forward to working with Ms Hefren-Webb in the new year to ensure the voices of older people are at the core of our national regulator’s focus.”

Ms Hefren-Webb, who will commence the role on 20 January, replaces Janet Anderson after her appointment ends.

Mr Gear thanked Ms Anderson her for her service.

“Ms Anderson oversaw the implementation of the Aged Care Quality Standards, the establishment of the Serious Incident Response Scheme, and mandatory care minutes – all important reform pieces which have improved an older person’s experience in aged care,” he said.

Ms Wells also thanked Ms Anderson for her service and 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.

Speaking with Community Care Review, Ms Anderson said that it has been an honour to serve as the inaugural Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner and congratulated Ms Hefren-Webb on her appointment to the role.

“The six years since the Commission was established have been a period of major change for the entire aged care sector. The findings and recommendations of the Royal Commission underscored the need for wide-ranging reforms in aged care, and the Commission has played – and will continue to play – an important role in shaping and delivering many of those reforms,” she said. 

“The Commission has matured as a regulator since it was established, strengthening its capability to protect and safeguard older people accessing aged care and to hold providers accountable for the quality and safety of the care they deliver.”

Adding: “The new Aged Care Act commencing on 1 July 2025 will open up significant opportunities to further improve older people’s experiences of aged care, and the Commission is well-positioned to take full advantage of those opportunities.”

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