AGED CARE REFORMS
& TRANSITION NEWS
Prepare for the New Aged Care Act and Aged Care Rules
The Australian Government has released the final Aged Care Rules, to prepare for the commencement of the Aged Care Act 2024 on 1 November. The Rules provide information on the operationalisation of the Aged Care Act, and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has provided resources, training and guidance to prepare for the new Act. Below is a list of resources and information to prepare for 1 November. This list includes: resources for aged care, primary care and allied health workers; a regulatory bulletin explaining the types of entities considered “associated providers” and their requirements; New Aged Care Act roadmap; Sector Change Plan; Provider Priority Actions List; and much more.
Aged Care Rules – Federal Register of Legislation
Aged care legislation: Summary of amendments
Aged Care Rules 2025: Summary of key changes
Prepare for the new Aged Care Act
New Aged Care Act resources for primary care and allied health workers
New Aged Care Act resources for aged care providers
Aged Care Contributions Toolkit
Stakeholder toolkit to support communications with older people
Toolkit to support communications with aged care workers
Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Resources for Providers
On 1 November, providers will be deemed as registered providers under the new Aged Care Act. The contact person nominated during the Provider Registration Preview (or in updates to the information since then) will be receiving an email during November which will include information about their registration categories, places where government-funded residential care services or funded flexible care services are delivered (where applicable), and registration end date.
Different fees will also be charged for being a registered provider under the new Aged Care Act, which will be outlined in the final Cost Recovery Implementation Statement. This statement explains charging arrangements for registration and renewal, as well as variations and associated audits.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) has a number of resources as well as online learning and training to help providers understand the deeming process, the new fee structure, and more.
The deeming process – transitioning providers to the new system
Cost Recovery Implementation Statement
Guide and scenarios – Fees for providers
Fee calculators for provider registration, renewal and variation
OPAN Supported Decision-Making Resources
Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has developed resources to integrate supported decision-making in the care of older people in line with the new Aged Care Act. These resources are suitable for older people and their families, as well as for aged care providers. Resources include a toolkit which explains what supported decision-making is and practical tips on how to use it in daily life, as well as an eLearning module putting supported decision-making into practice.
Guide to Determining when Accommodation Reforms Apply to New Residents
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has developed a guide to determining which reforms apply to new clients entering a residential aged care home. This guide contains a decision tree for quick decision-making, and screening questions regarding the refundable accommodation deposit and contribution (RAD/RAC) retention and daily accommodation payment (DAP) indexation reforms.
Online Learning and Training for Aged Care Providers
There are eLearning modules available for aged care providers via the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s website. Modules cover topics such as understanding and implementing the Aged Care Act 2024, best practice in aged care, building workforce capability and readiness, and more.
Support at Home provider training is also available, which includes information on the assessment process and service delivery, claiming and payment arrangements, and self-management under Support at Home. There is a training checklist for providers to keep track of any learning completed.
eLearning for aged care providers
Schedule of Fees and Charges Under the New Aged Care Act
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released the new Schedule of Fees and Charges applicable from 1 November. There is a Schedule outlining the fees, charges, and rates for residential and home care, and a Schedule outlining participant contribution rates, lifetime caps and deeming thresholds for Support at Home program participants. The current Schedule of Fees and Charges for residential aged care is also available, as it still applies until 31 October.
Support at Home Resources
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released and updated its resources to help providers get ready for the commencement of Support at Home on 1 November. Resources include the Support at Home program manual, transition guide, frequently asked questions, and more.
Support at Home program manual – A guide for registered providers
Support at Home program provider transition guide
Support at Home claims and payments business guidance
Support at Home service agreement resources
Guidance for Support at Home care partners
Support at Home User Guide – submitting claims to the Aged Care Provider Portal
Support at Home participant contributions fact sheet
My Aged Care – Upcoming Changes to Aged Care Funding
My Aged Care has information available for service users, covering the upcoming changes to aged care starting 1 November. This webpage details information regarding new funding arrangement examples and a Support at Home fee estimator.
Guidance on Residential Care Service List and Higher Everyday Living Fee
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released a general guide for providers on the policy intent of the residential care service list and the higher everyday living fee. There are also individual booklets detailing further information on the care and services expected from residential care homes and the new residential care higher everyday living services from 1 November.
Residential care service list and higher everyday living fee guidance for providers
Aged Care Provider Requirements Search Tool
The Aged Care Provider Requirements Search Tool is designed to improve the understanding about the requirements of registered aged care providers under the new Aged Care Act. It facilitates the navigation of legislative requirements, and is to be used as a guide only.
Past Webinar: A New Chapter for Aged Care from 1 November 2025
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing hosted a webinar on 21 October regarding the upcoming aged care changes beginning from 1 November. The webinar aimed to support aged care providers in managing the transition to the new Aged Care Act, Support at Home program, new regulatory model and strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.
