AGED CARE REFORMS
& TRANSITION NEWS
IHACPA Aged Care Cost Collection – Expression of Interest
The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) is now calling for expressions of interest to contribute to aged care cost collections. These cost collections help IHACPA gather data from many aged care providers, which ensures that the aged care pricing advice they provide is accurate and representative of aged care services from the perspectives of both service user and service provider. EOIs close on 30 June 2026.
New Aged Care Act Training
Module 4 in the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s eLearning series is now available for aged care service providers. This module focuses specifically on reflection, dialogue, and lived experience as tools for navigating changes in the aged care sector. To receive a certificate of completion, providers need to complete the modules via their organisation’s learning system or the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s Alis platform.
Transition to Payment on Care Services Delivered
From 1 July 2027 to 30 June 2029, the Australian Government will gradually transition residential aged care providers to a payment system based on services delivered. The intention is to align residential aged care subsidies with other government payments. Monthly advance payments will reduce by 4.17% over two years, while arrears payments based on actual entitlements will increase until providers are fully paid in arrears by July 2029. New aged care homes opening from 1 July 2027 will be paid fully in arrears from their commencement.
Additional Support at Home Places
As part of the 2026-27 Budget, the Australian Government has announced that 32,000 Support at Home places will be made available in the next financial year, additional to the 83,000 places that are already due to be delivered by 30 June this year.
Read the aged care and disability information from the Budget
Accessing CHSP Services while Waiting for Support at Home Funding
Currently, Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) clients can still use CHSP services while waiting for funding for Support at Home services and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme. Once the new funding has been received, the previous funding must end. New aged care participants who were not approved for CHSP cannot access equipment, products or home adjustments through CHSP while waiting for AT-HM scheme funding. This is intended to ensure a ongoing service continuity and a smooth transition in funding for older people.
Aged Care Act 2024 – Wait Times Report
This inaugural report outlines the typical wait times for older people to access non-specialist, Commonwealth-funded aged care services after applying through My Aged Care. Data relating to the Support at Home Program is also included in this report. The reporting period for this document was from 1 November 2025 to 31 March 2026, and includes information on people who began residential aged care or Support at Home services during this time.
