The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the Department) has extended the grace period for non-conformant eNRMC vendors until 1 December 2025. This supersedes previous communication that non-conformant vendors would remain on the Transitional eNRMC Conformance Register until 21 October. Subject to non-conformant vendors demonstrating adequate progress towards conformance, further extensions may be provided.
This decision is in response to concerns raised by the aged care sector regarding workload impacts to residential aged care homes and clinicians caused by significantly delayed conformance by a small number of eNRMC providers. Residential aged care homes, clinicians and pharmacists can continue using these products but will need to consider and manage any clinical risks associated with the use of non-conformant products. The Department and the Australian Digital Health Agency will continue to work with the affected vendors and with aged care peak bodies to monitor impacts on the aged care sector and address any issues that arise while vendors work towards conformance.
Extension to implementation phase – 31 December 2026
Considering the conformance delays experienced by some vendors and the need for additional time to ensure the safe implementation of electronic prescribing eNRMC systems, the original implementation phase and rollout, currently due to end on 1 March 2026, will also be extended to 31 December 2026.
Background
The Department in collaboration with the Australian Digital Health Agency has been working with electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) software vendors to ensure availability and roll out of critical enhancements to enable electronic prescribing and improve safety and security of systems. eNRMC providers have been operating under a temporary eNRMC Transitional Arrangement since 2022, while necessary systems changes are completed to align with national standards and achievement of electronic prescribing conformance. eNRMC vendors were originally required to complete changes and achieve conformance by 1 October 2025. This was then extended to 21 October 2025 to allow sufficient time for users of non-conformant systems to renew medication charts and enable alternative prescribing arrangements for new orders.
We are currently updating our full suite of resources and information with this revised date of 1 December 2025. These resources will become available on the department’s website in the coming days: Electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) collection.
We appreciate your ongoing efforts to support clinicians, pharmacists, and aged care providers during this important transition.