Newsletter August 2025

To respond to the needs of those working in the industry, CDCS has a range of blog posts on our website and videos that are freely available on our YouTube channel.

You can use any of our YouTube videos for your staff training and feel free to embed the videos in any of your training resources.

Unless otherwise noted, ‘the Department’ refers to the Australian Commonwealth Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. Likewise, ‘The Commission’ refers to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

New aged care regulatory model – Frequently asked questions

This document answers questions from providers about the new aged care regulatory model.

Provider Governance Obligations – updated regulatory bulletin

The ACQSC has updated its regulatory bulletin that explains the governance obligations that registered providers and their governing bodies must comply with under the new Aged Care Act 2024 and the Aged Care Rules 2025.

Provider Operational Readiness – Priority Actions List

This list has recently been updated. It aims to guide aged care providers on what to do before and after 1 November 2025, to implement the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home program.

Provider toolkit to support communications with workers and older people

This toolkit provides information and materials to help providers communicate with workers, older people, their families and carers about the new Aged Care Act (the new Act). It includes a supporting infographic and animation that illustrates how the different parts of the new Act fit together.

Prudential targeted review: governance responsibilities report

From 1 November 2025, providers will need to comply with governance responsibilities as outlined in the new Aged Care Act 2024 (new Aged Care Act), the Aged Care Financial and Prudential Standards 2025, Aged Care Rules 2025 and the strengthened Quality Standards.

The ACQSC surveyed 30 providers, the report identified key issues and areas for consideration for all providers.

Stakeholder toolkit to support communications with older people

This toolkit provides information and materials to help peak bodies, advocacy organisations and community groups inform older people, their families and carers about the new Aged Care Act (the new Act).

Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards – August 2025

This document provides the final strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. This reflects the final draft of the new Aged Care Rules released on 31 July 2025. It contains minor changes from February 2025 following the public consultation on the Aged Care Rules and the legislative drafting process.

Training checklist – aged care providers

Aged care providers can download this checklist of training opportunities to keep track of their learning on the new Aged Care Act.

Training checklist – aged care workers and volunteers

Aged care workers and volunteers, or training facilitators can download this checklist of training opportunities to keep track of training completed on the new Aged Care Act.

Training checklist for care recipients and their families

The Department has developed a list of educational opportunities for care recipients and their supporters to understand the reforms and how these will impact them.

Your Guide to the Aged Care Act 2024: Aligning to changes

This is a face-to-face training package to help providers explain changes to their care recipients, it is designed to support facilitators delivering sessions on the changes that impact older people under the new Aged Care Act.

The package includes a ready-to-use presentation and a detailed facilitator guide to help you run engaging, empowering conversations with older people, their families and carers.

Aged Care Act 2024 – Final draft of Rules released

The final draft of the new Aged Care Rules is now available. The Rules provide further detail on how the new Aged Care Act 2024 will operate.

Providers should familiarise themselves with the new Rules in preparation for 1 November 2025.

Aged Care COVID-19 enquiries can be directed to: AgedCareCOVIDEnquiries@health.gov.au

National summary of Home Care Package prices – 30 June 2025

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing publishes national median prices for common home care services, care management and package management. This data is updated quarterly with the latest quarter now published.

Support at Home program – Frequently asked questions for providers

Updated. This document answers some frequently asked questions about the Support at Home program from aged care providers.

Support at Home pricing FAQs

The document provides answers to frequently asked questions about pricing for the Support at Home program

Support at Home Program Provider Transition Guide

This document has been updated. It gives guidance on the actions Home Care Package providers and Short-Term Restorative Care providers should take to be operationally ready to transition to the Support at Home program.

Support at Home service list

This updated document outlines the services that participants can access under the Support at Home program.

The new regulatory model – Guidance for CHSP providers

This document provides guidance for Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) providers about the new regulatory model. It includes updates that address the deferral of the new Aged Care Act to 1 November 2025.

The new regulatory model – Guidance for NATSIFAC providers

This document provides guidance for NATSIFAC providers about the new regulatory model.

Updated: Support at Home program claims and payments business rules guidance

The Support at Home business guidance document has been updated, it provides guidance on claims and payments for providers who will be operating under Support at Home from 1 November 2025.

Care minutes in residential aged care

The Australian Government is making changes to AN-ACC funding for care minutes in all non-specialised services in metropolitan areas (MM1).

Services that do not meet their care minutes targets from October 2025 may see their funding reduced from April 2026 by up to $31.92 per resident per day (based on the current AN-ACC price of $282.44).

This change will not impact funding for specialised homeless services; services in regional, rural and remote areas or allied health and lifestyle/recreational services.

Electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) – Aged Care fact sheet

This document provides an update for residential aged care services on the availability of conformant eNRMC systems by October 2025, which include electronic prescribing capabilities and enhanced safety features.

Higher Everyday Living Fee fact sheet

This fact sheet explains the Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) that will be introduced on 1 November 2025. It includes useful information on the new fee and the transition from previous arrangements for both providers and consumers.

The higher everyday living fee (HELF) is an optional fee for people who choose to receive higher quality everyday living services in permanent or respite residential aged care. This enables people to tailor additional services to suit them.

Multi-Purpose Service Program (MPSP) Fees and Charges – Provider fact sheet

People accessing aged care services through the Multi-Purpose Service Program (MPSP) can be asked to contribute towards their services in certain situations. These fees are different from other aged care programs.

The Department has released a new Fact Sheet for MPS providers.
They have also released a version for care recipients.

Other MPS Fact Sheets

The Department has published a number of other fact sheets to support MPS providers prepare for reform implementation. There are also a number of new fact sheets for MPS care recipients and providers should make themselves aware of these.

Accessing the Multi-Purpose Service Program (MPSP) – Provider fact sheet

This fact sheet provides guidance for aged care providers on access to aged care services under the Multi-Purpose Service Program (MPSP) when the new Aged Care Act (the new Act) starts from 1 November 2025.

Reporting by Multi-Purpose Service Program (MPSP) providers – Provider fact sheet

Under the new Aged Care Act (the new Act), MPS’ must keep records and report on the services provided under the MPSP.

Regulation of the Multi-Purpose Service Program (MPSP) – Provider fact sheet

Aged care services delivered under the Multi-Purpose Service Program (MPSP) are regulated to ensure providers meet their obligations under the new Aged Care Act (the new Act) and their MPSP agreements.

Quarterly Financial Report data definitions – Q1 – 2025-26

The Department has published Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) data definitions for aged care providers to refer to when completing their QFR submissions each quarter.

If you haven't subscribed for Department updates, you can do so by clicking here to subscribe.

If you’re not already signed up, we recommend clicking through and signing up for the Commission’s valuable newsletter.

New Aged Care Act readiness training

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has released a second online module on ALIS to help you get ready for the new Aged Care Act.

‘Module 2: Aligning to changes’ covers:

• leading change
• governance and accountability
• putting the Statement of Rights and Statement of Principles into practice
• supporting older people's needs
• tools, systems and day-to-day practices
• complaints and whistleblower protections
• Quality Standards in practice

Your Rights in aged care – First Nations providers and care recipients

A short video to help providers, their staff and older First Nations people understand and provide good quality care.

Ongoing workshops provided by the ACQ&SC

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission develops a range of educational resources and workshops for aged care providers, in-home services and residential services that assist in understanding what compliance looks like.

You can find these courses listed on the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s website under the Education tab.

SDAP – Services Development Assistance Panel

Don’t forget, if you are an aged care provider (residential or community care) operating in rural or remote locations, you may be eligible for support through the Service Development Assistance Panel (SDAP).

CDCS has been a panel member since the inception of this program in 2010 and has supported over 40 aged care services with compliance, business development, training and resource development.

Get an idea of what can be done with SDAP.

Further information is available on the Department’s website, including the application form, or by emailing sdap@health.gov.au.

NOTE: If you have a position that you would like us to promote, please hit ‘reply’ to this email so we can include it in the next newsletter and/or post on our Facebook page: CDCS – Culturally Directed Care Solutions.

We're committed to helping your organisation meet compliance and deliver quality outcomes.

If you’re looking for comprehensive, industry-specific policies, procedures, and work instructions that have been used successfully by dozens of aged care providers, helping them to pass quality reviews easily and stay compliant, then take a look at the Total Quality Package.

Keep an eye out for exciting updates coming, including a new Standards Matrix and updated suite of policies and procedures to align with the new Quality Standards, Aged Care Act, regulatory framework, and program changes. These will be released soon.

TQP Live Training & Replays

TQP Members get complimentary access to regular LIVE training and education sessions. These are aimed at the coordination and management level and address trending issues and topics.

Recordings are available in the TQP to revisit whenever you need – just like having your very own ‘Aged Care Netflix!’

We hope you have found this edition helpful; feel free to share it with others who may be interested. If you have any feedback or questions, please let us know by emailing us at info@cdcs.com.au.

Please get in contact with us if you need support and we’ll catch up with you again next month.

Donna, Carrie & the CDCS Team