LATEST NEWS
Aged Care Financial Report
Providers are now able to submit their 2024–25 Aged Care Financial Report (ACFR), due by 31 October 2025, through the online portal. Providers also have access to information and resources on the Aged Care Financial Report, Quarterly Financial Reporting, and application forms for Higher Accommodation Supplement. Contact (02) 4403 0640 or [email protected] for any further information or questions.
Read the ACFR User Guide and FAQs
Access Changes to NDIS Provider Portals
Providers will now need to transition from Provider Digital Access (PRODA) to myID and Relationship Authorisation Manager (RAM), to strengthen the security and safety of provider accounts. Information on how to make the changes can be found on the NDIS website. This process has already commenced, therefore providers and their employees are no longer able to create a new PRODA account and must set up myID and RAM to access NDIS provider portals. The removal of access to the NDIS provider portals using PRODA is planned for late 2025.
Announcement of Thriving Kids Program and Response from DROs
The Hon. Mark Butler MP has announced the development of the Thriving Kids program, which aims to support children under 9 with developmental delay or autism, who have low to moderate support needs. Access and eligibility changes will be made once the program has been fully rolled out. It is intended that children enrolled in the NDIS now, or who become enrolled before that time, will remain on the scheme, subject to its usual arrangements, including reassessments. A joint statement by Disability Representative Organisations (DROs) has also been released, noting Minister Butler’s recognition of the “nothing about us, without us” principle, voicing concern with the announcement which came as a surprise to the disability community and DROs, and encouraging a continued partnership with the community and sector to co-design a sustainable system of support outside the NDIS.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Assessment Organisations
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessments pathway is in the process of being rolled out and aims to provide older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people with an improved assessment experience that is more culturally safe and responsive to the individual’s cultural needs. Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessment organisations will connect with an older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander person in their service areas. Assessors will either be Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander people, or trained to be culturally safe, trauma aware and healing informed by the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisation. Until an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessment service is available in their area, older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can still receive aged care needs assessments through the existing Single Assessment System. Currently, registering a preference to receive an aged care assessment from an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessment organisation can be arranged with My Aged Care via phone or face-to-face, or by talking to an assessment organisation directly. Registering a preference via the My Aged Care webpage will be available from November 2025.
Nominations Open for Aged Care Council of Elders
Expressions of interest are welcomed from older people with lived experience of the aged care system to join the Council of Elders in 2026. This Council comprises 14 older people who contribute feedback and advice on ageing and aged care directly to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. Members of the Council will also engage with the community to ensure a broad range of voices and experiences are heard. Appointments will be for a term of up to two years, commencing January 2026. Applications close at 5pm on 26 September 2025.
Consultation on Foundational Supports for Children in NSW
The Department of Communities and Justice is consulting with the community and sector on the development of Foundational Supports. Parents, carers and kin, people with disability, and people working in early childhood education, disability, allied health or early intervention services are encouraged to share their experiences and feedback on how foundational supports can meet the needs of children and families in NSW. These community and sector consultations will occur from August to November 2025, and spaces are limited.
Have Your Say: Proposed Mandatory Training Manual for Volunteers
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is seeking feedback to inform a new mandatory training manual for volunteers in aged care. Responses from aged care volunteers, volunteer managers and providers are welcome. This feedback will assist the Department in shaping policy development and training requirements for aged care volunteers to align with the new Aged Care Act and strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. The survey closes on 12 September 2025.
Have Your Say: Audit of Commonwealth Home Support Program
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) is seeking feedback from CHSP providers and peak bodies as part of their performance audit on the effectiveness of the CHSP. They will be collecting information on whether it meets community need, whether services are delivered effectively, and whether it is meeting its objective. CHSP participants will have an opportunity to provide feedback later this year, and a final report containing recommendations will be tabled in Parliament in March 2026. Feedback for this consultation is due by 26 October 2025.
Have Your Say: Community Visitor Schemes
Consultation is open for people with disability, their carers, community visitors, and the broader disability sector to comment on the ways in which the Community Visitor Schemes (CVS) can continue to uphold the rights and wellbeing of people with disability, and to improve consistency of the scheme across Australia. Feedback will be accepted until 11.59pm on 12 September 2025. Virtual workshops are also available for people to register for.
Have Your Say: Changes to the Disability Discrimination Act
Consultation is now open on the review of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992. The review considers the 15 recommendations that the Disability Royal Commission put forward about changing the Disability Discrimination Act. Updating this Act will ensure better legal protections for people with disability from discrimination in areas such as education, work, housing and services. The deadline for submissions is 24 October 2025.
