AGED CARE REFORMS
& TRANSITION NEWS
Updated Schedules, Rates and Contributions relating to Residential Care and Support at Home
Schedules for residential and transition care fees, charges, subsidies and supplements have now been updated in line with indexation. These schedules provide the daily rates, subsidies and supplements for individuals in government-funded residential and transition care, as well as individuals receiving care through the Support at Home program from 1 November 2025. The rates are effective from 20 September 2026. Services Australia will also be sending letters to older people and their providers to advise of any changes with indexation to means tested fees and contributions for residential aged care and participant contribution rates for Support at Home. Changes to the maximum permissible interest rate (MPIR) are in effect from 1 October to 31 December; the MPIR is increasing to 8.51 percent during this period, and is used to calculate residential care accommodation costs and interest on refunds of accommodation lump sum balances. From 1 October, the base interest rate (BIR) will increase to 3.75 percent for calculating interest on refunds of accommodation lump sum balances. Indexation of daily accommodation payments for residential care have also been updated for 20 September onwards.
Read the schedule of fees and charges for residential care
Read the schedule of subsidies and supplements for residential and transition care
Read the schedule of contributions for Support at Home services
View the means tested fees and contributions for residential aged care
View the participant contribution rates for Support at Home
View current and past rates of MPIR and BIR
Read more about daily accommodation payment (DAP) indexation
Escalation Pathway Proposed for Home Support Assessment Decisions
The Australian Government is proposing the establishment of a new escalation pathway to review outcomes from the aged care Integrated Assessment Tool (IAT) for certain home support classification and priority decisions. This has been highlighted by some as an important interim step to further reform in the aged care space. Further details of this escalation pathway will be determined through the Aged Care Rules following consultation.
CHSP Service Agreement User Guide
This user guide can assist Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) providers in completing a Service Agreement. This will ensure optimal clarity of services, charges and other obligations for their clients, and support their clients to understand their rights when accessing funded aged care services. The user guide also includes a version history with a summary of changes.
Care Minutes Reporting Updates
Residential aged care providers are now required to submit a Care Minutes Performance Statement (CMPS) as part of their Aged Care Financial Report, accompanied by an external audit of the CMPS. The first externally audited CMPS covers Quarter 3 and Quarter 4 of 2025–26. The care minutes supplement is also available, and funds eligible residential aged care homes to meet their care minutes requirements on top of their Australian National Aged Care Classification funding. Care minutes supplements may be recalculated if the CMPS submission differs from past Quarterly Financial Reports. Care minutes have also been published for Quarter 2 (October to December), with an accompanying calculator for registered providers to determine their care minutes targets.
Access the care minutes target calculator
Aged Care Financial Report resources
Workshop: Supported Decision-Making and Working with Registered Supporters
When: 22 October, 1.00pm-3.00pm AEDT
Where: Online
How much:
Ageing Australia members
1-2 people: $299.00 incl. GST each; 3-10 people group discount: $269.10 incl. GST each
Non members
$398.70 incl. GST each
CHSP providers
$55.00 incl. GST each
This workshop will outline the new supported decision-making framework, including the roles, responsibilities, and legal distinctions between registered supporters and appointed decision makers within the aged care system. The session will consider the framework in practice, and discuss the compliance requirements under the Aged Care Act 2024 and the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. This workshop is best suited for managers, team leaders, care partners, and any other workers in aged care.
Grant Opportunity GO8512: Aged Care Award Wages – Historical Leave Liabilities Increases – 1 August 2026
This one-off grant opportunity is in response to the increased wage rates effective from 1 August 2026 as a result of the Fair Work Commission decision. This opportunity is only open to eligible registered providers to pay eligible registered and enrolled nurses working in aged care to take their leave entitlements at the increased rates. The funding covers a portion of the increase to leave entitlements, depending on the type of service provider. Applications close on 6 October 2026 at 2.00 pm (ACT Local Time).
Grant Opportunity GO8502: Support at Home Thin Markets 2026-27 (Round 3)
This grant opportunity provides flexible funding to eligible Support at Home providers that deliver aged care services in thin markets. There are two streams that eligible providers can apply for; rural, remote and specialised services, and Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander services. Providers that deliver rural and remote services in Modified Monash areas 3 to 7, or that deliver specialised services in any region, may be eligible to apply. Providers who have received funding in the previous two rounds may also apply for this round. To apply under either stream, eligible providers must meet all of the listed criteria. Applications close on 26 November 2026 at 2.00 pm (ACT Local Time).
Support at Home Subsidy Rates and Supplements Increase
1 October will see Support at Home subsidy rates increase, as well as some supplements. This includes a slightly higher subsidy amount to support providers between the start of the latest award wage increase to the next quarterly budget cycle. Subsidies and supplements will increase for older people receiving ongoing Support at Home services, transitioning from a Home Care Package to Support at Home, or receiving services under the End-of-Life Pathway and Restorative Care Pathway.
Recording Available: Higher Everyday Living Fees (HELF) Webinar
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has released the video recording and slides of their 11 August webinar on the Higher Everyday Living Fees (HELF). This webinar discussed the providers’ obligations when charging HELF, communicating agreements, and risks relating to incorrect use of HELF.
Have Your Say: Share your Support at Home Experience
Nous Group and the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing are seeking feedback from aged care workers about their experience implementing the Single Assessment System (SAS) and delivering Support at Home (SaH) programs. This includes understanding how the reforms are working in practice, and identifying what is working well and what needs to be improved. Feedback gathered from this survey will inform future aged care policy directions that aim to improve quality in-home care for older people. The deadline for the survey is 12 October 2026. Questions can be directed to [email protected].
