About the 24/7 RN responsibility
You must ensure at least one RN is onsite and on duty at all times, at each residential facility you operate.
Eligible residential facilities in rural and remote areas can apply for an exemption for up to 12 months at a time.
From 1 November 2025, all currently accredited residential care services will become approved residential care homes when the new Aged Care Act commences.
Under the new Act, the 24/7 RN responsibility will apply to each approved residential care home.
Co-located services currently operating as a single residential facility for the purposes of the 24/7 RN responsibility will become separate homes.
You must ensure there is at least one RN available at each home at all times unless you formally combine them into one home ahead of time.
Why it is important
The 24/7 RN responsibility was introduced in response to recommendation 86 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
By ensuring qualified and experienced care staff are available to identify and address potential risks, this:
- improves resident safety
- gives residents better access to clinical care in their aged care home
- prevents unnecessary trips to hospital emergency rooms.
24/7 RN supplement
The 24/7 RN supplement helps you employ extra RNs to meet the requirement to have an RN onsite and on duty at all times.
Read about the 24/7 registered nurse supplement for residential aged care.
Reporting
You must report about your RN coverage at each of your facilities each calendar month through the Government Provider Management System (GPMS).
24/7 RN coverage tool
Our RN coverage tool can support you in responding to a care time reporting assessment. You can use this tool to assist with identifying gaps in your 24/7 RN coverage as part of your 24/7 RN responsibility.
Note this tool is not an approved reporting form, and you are not obliged to use it.
24/7 RN coverage tool
Support for the aged care workforce
Programs are available to help grow, skill and enable the aged care workforce. Read more about:
- building the aged care workforce
- learning and development for people to train, study and enter the aged care workforce
- opportunities for nurses in aged care
- support and education for nurses.
Learn more
For providers
Care minutes and 24/7 registered nurse responsibilities – guides for residential aged care providers
For older people
