The residential aged care accommodation census is now open and has been emailed to providers. Each provider must use their individual link to complete the census. We need all providers to complete the census by Sunday 6 September 2026. View an example of the census to see what questions you will be asked and which questions will have prepopulated data to check.
Residential aged care accommodation census
Australia's ageing population means higher demand for aged care beds now and into the future. It is critical that the Australian Government knows where the gaps are.
We are conducting a nationwide census of residential aged care to gain accurate data about aged care accommodation and beds in Australia. We will use this information to build a national database.
A national database on bed capacity, home locations and conditions is critical to:
- inform policy and funding decisions by government
- address care shortages
- reduce hospital stays
- support Australia’s ageing population.
The census will run from 27 July to 6 September 2026.
All residential aged care providers need to complete the accommodation census to ensure accurate data.
To make it easier to complete, 8 of the 16 questions have answers pre-filled using data from GPMS and the My Aged Care website. You can check it is accurate, update if needed and submit.
We will use accommodation census data to inform future policy, capital assistance and investment decisions that will affect providers.
Providers will be emailed a link to the census. Each aged care provider must use their individual link to complete the census.
If you did not receive the census link by 2 August 2026 or have questions, contact residentialplacesmanagement@health.gov.au.
View an example of the census to see what questions you will be asked and which questions will have prepopulated data to check.
Allocation of residential care places
Under the Aged Care Act 2024 (the Act), residential care places are assigned directly to older people who have been approved for government-funded residential aged care services.
Once approved, an older person’s residential care place does not expire and moves with them.
Residential aged care providers no longer need an allocation of places to deliver government-funded aged care services.
This means older people benefit from:
- higher quality of care, through more competition in the sector
- more opportunities and choice of providers that best meet their needs.
Residential aged care providers also benefit from:
- greater freedom to adjust and expand their service offerings to meet demand
- a stronger and sustainable residential aged care market, focused on delivering quality care.
Providers that deliver residential aged care through specialised aged care programs (e.g., Multi-Purpose Services Program or Transition Care Program) will continue to be allocated places.
Provider-allocated places
All residential aged care places allocated from the former Aged Care Approvals Rounds, or through the bed-ready process, ceased to exist as of 1 November 2025.
Existing residents were automatically allocated a place to ensure continuity of care. New residents will be assigned a place when assessed and approved for care.
Total number of beds
Aged care providers and residential care homes are registered through the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (the Commission).
As part of your registration, the Commission approves the total number of residential beds at each approved residential care home.
The total number of beds must be equal to or less than any maximum number of people that can live in the residential care home.
Any changes to total beds at a residential care home will be overseen by the Commission. You will need to vary your registration with the Commission when:
- increasing the total number of beds
- reducing the total number of beds (i.e., taking beds offline for more than 2 years).
For more information about changes to the number of available beds
Offline beds
As a registered provider, you are required under the Aged Care Rules 2025 (sections 167-5-70) to notify the Commission when beds in your approved residential care home are offline and not available for use:
- a period of at least 3 months for homes in Modified Monash (MM) 1-5 regions
- any period of time for homes in MM 6 and 7 regions.
How to report
As of 23 March 2026, you can manage offline beds in the Government Provider Management System (GPMS). You will need to log onto GPMS and click on the Manage your Organisation tile to:
- record beds as offline
- make offline beds available for use.
For step-by-step instructions, refer to our guide on how to report offline beds or the reporting offline beds instructional video.
Questions
If you experience technical difficulties with GPMS, please contact the My Aged Care service provider and assessor helpline on 1800 836 799.
Resources
- Guide to report offline beds in residential aged care
- Reporting offline beds instructional video
- Frequently Asked Questions for older people
- Frequently Asked Questions for providers
- How residential aged care providers can prepare for success in a competitive market
Contact
Local Network contact
Aged care enquiries contact
