Governance of the Support at Home program

System governance

The below individuals (and the organisations they represent) are responsible for the aged care system, including Support at Home: 

• Secretary of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (the System Governor)
• Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner
• Complaints Commissioner. 

The below individuals and organisations also play an important role in aged care governance: 

• Inspector-General of Aged Care
• Aged Care Quality and Safety Advisory Council.

Together, they ensure Support at Home provides fair access to safe, person-centred care. 

Legislative framework

The Aged Care Act 2024 (the Act) is the overarching law that sets out the rules for government-funded aged care. It includes the: 

• requirements for registered providers under the aged care regulatory model
• Statement of Rights  
• Statement of Principles.

The Aged Care Rules 2025 provide detailed information about how Support at Home must operate. 

See the laws that are relevant to the Support at Home program.

Provider requirements

Providers must be registered by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) to deliver government-funded aged care services.  

Providers must meet all their requirements under the Act and relevant legislation. 

To find out more, see responsibilities of Support at Home providers. 

Compliance

We monitor compliance in various way, and take action to address non-compliance, to minimise risk to the safety, health, wellbeing, and quality of life of participants. 

The ACQSC use various regulatory tools to monitor and assess the performance of aged care providers. The Australian Competition and Consumer Commission also investigate misleading and unfair business practices. 

Read more about compliance for Support at Home providers.

Program assurance

We conduct assurance activities and reviews to uphold the integrity of the program. These activities may relate to how providers: 

• charge for and deliver services
• submit claims, including identifying any unusual claiming patterns
• use government funding
• engage with participants
• maintain accurate and compliant records. 

Penalties may apply to providers who do not cooperate with assurance activities. 

For more information about Support at Home program assurance. 

Program administration

We work with Services Australia and the ACQSC to administer the program. 

We: 

• manage and develop policy for the program
• manage data, reporting, fraud and legislation
• administer subsidies and supplements
• develop communications, guidelines and resources for the program
• carry out program reforms. 

Services Australia

Services Australia: 

• manages participant accounts
• organises payments to providers
• reviews and adjusts fee, subsidy and supplement rates
• conducts income and asset assessments
• provides online claiming services for providers.

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC)

The ACQSC: 

• manages provider registration
• investigate complaints
• assesses and monitors services to make sure they meet the Aged Care Quality Standards
• takes enforcement action as required to address non-compliance. 

Find out more

Read: 

• Part B (Governance for Support at Home) in the Support at Home program manual
• Provider governance responsibilities - Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.