Timing
The new regulatory model will start when the new Act starts.
We will send you information on the registration categories and related obligations before the new Act starts and what this will mean for you.
Changes will include:
- existing providers will operate as registered providers under the deeming process
- providers will operate under the requirements of their registration categories
- the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) will regulate providers based on these categories
- the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards will apply to some providers.
Transition to the new regulatory model
We will work with ACQSC to give you information to prepare for the new model.
This includes information outlining your confirmed registration categories and related obligations.
If you are an existing provider, we will set you up as a registered provider in the new provider register, as part of the deeming process.
Preparing for transition to the new model will depend on the type of services you deliver.
The new model will apply to providers of:
- residential aged care services
- Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
- Home Care Packages Program
- Short-Term Restorative Care Programme
- Transition Care Programme
- Multi-Purpose Services Program
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program (NATISFAC).
Contact us for more information
Specialist Aged Care Programs
When the new Act starts, the following programs will also be referred to as Specialist Aged Care Programs:
- Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
- Multi-Purpose Services Program
- Transition Care Programme
- National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program (NATSIFAC).
Specialist Aged Care Programs are government-funded programs where there is an agreement or arrangement, such as a grant, in place to deliver aged care services.
These programs provide additional funding and support for individuals who meet the program criteria based on a needs assessment.
To deliver services under Specialist Aged Care Programs, providers will need to:
- be registered under the new regulatory model process
- meet some extra requirements, such as having an agreement with government to provide those services.
CHSP will transition to the Support at Home program no earlier than 1 July 2027. It will be a Specialist Aged Care Program in the interim.
How we will set obligations and conditions
As a registered aged care provider, you will be required to meet obligations set out in the new Aged Care Act.
Each registration category has clearly defined obligations that you will need to meet.
You will have one set of consolidated obligations depending on the registration categories you are registered into.
This will streamline interactions between providers and ACQSC when services are delivered across multiple program types, such as CHSP and home care.
Registration categories and service types are grouped according to common characteristics and risks associated in delivery of care.
Some registration conditions will apply to all providers. For example:
- understanding and having systems in place to support the rights of older people receiving aged care services
- continuous improvement
- the Statement of Rights
- the Aged Care Code of Conduct
- worker screening
- incident management and complaints.
Watch the video on Statement of Rights and Code of Conduct.
Other conditions will be specific to a registration category and only apply to certain providers. For example:
- setting up an advisory board
- meeting financial reporting requirements
- compliance with the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.
ACQSC may also apply specific conditions on the registration of an individual provider. For example:
- conditions that relate to location or the number of aged care recipients the provider can deliver services to, similar to sanctions under the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018
- a condition that restricts the service types that can be delivered within a registration category
- conditions related to an issue being addressed through regulatory or enforcement pathways – for example, that a provider must appoint an adviser for a period to provide training for its aged care workers.
When the new Act starts, the Quality of Care Principles and Accountability Principles no longer apply. They will be replaced with the provider obligations.
Watch the webinar on obligations and rules for more information.
What existing providers need to do
Keep your organisation’s contact and service delivery information up to date through the Manage Your Organisation tile in GPMS or through your funding arrangement manager.
What new providers need to do
Before the new Aged Care Act starts
If you are a new organisation wanting to deliver government-funded aged care services before the new Act starts, you should apply under the current requirements of the Aged Care Act 1997 to become an approved or accredited aged care provider.
Any application not finalised by 1 November 2025, will be taken as an application to be a registered provider under the new Act.
Applications for accreditation under the existing Aged Care Act will close before the new Act starts.
There are resources available to help providers prepare for the new Act.
Once the new Aged Care Act starts
When the new Act starts, all existing providers will become registered providers.
New providers can then apply to become registered providers under the new Act.
Provider support
We’re aware there are a lot of changes to aged care delivery and regulation occurring now.
We want to make it as easy as possible for you to concentrate on delivering a seamless service to care recipients as we move to the new model.
We will continue to provide you updates as they’re available.
If you have any questions, contact us.
More resources are available on the ACQSC website.
Oversight of the new regulatory model
We work closely with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC), who are responsible for regulating the aged care sector. As the aged care regulator, ACQSC monitors providers delivering government-funded aged care.
Under the new regulatory model, ACQSC will have strengthened powers, which:
- provide it with greater visibility of who is operating in the sector and the government-funded aged care services they are delivering
- enable it to respond proactively to emerging risks in the sector.
We will continue to have a role in monitoring the implementation of the new model to ensure it achieves its intended outcomes and will adjust where necessary.
This will include monitoring the new model to make sure it:
- protects older people from harm
- establishes a rights-based approach to aged care delivery
- is reasonable and proportionate in its impact on aged care providers.
Contact
Harmonisation and Regulatory Strategy contact