by Donna Cross & Carrie Akhurst
“Stunned, Relieved, Frustrated” …these are just some of the feelings expressed by providers since the announcement to delay the introduction of the New Aged Care Act from 1 July to 1 November 2025. This also means a delay of the reforms that hinge on it.
This change, however, does allow more time for providers to:
✅ Prepare clients/residents, staff and governing members for upcoming changes
✅ Ensure systems, training, and communications are ready
✅ Support older people to understand their rights, care options, and what to expect.
The delay also gives Home Care Package providers extra time to explain Support at Home changes, including:
📌 Service agreements, care plans, and pricing
📌 Client contributions and non-clinical services
The ‘Climb continues, just on a New Timeline. So look and listen for updates from the Department and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, including the updated Aged Care Reform Roadmap. Check out the latest updates in this month’s edition.
Latest CDCS Videos & Blog Posts
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.
Industry News
All Sector Updates
Delay of Aged Care Act commencing
The new Aged Care Act will now start from 1 November 2025. All associated legislation, standards and program changes that are linked to the Act will also be deferred until this time. This delay is aimed at helping the sector be better prepared for the introduction of the Act allowing aged care providers to better prepare clients, support workers, and ensure their systems are ready for the changes.
It will mean providers and workers will have more time to talk to older people about how aged care is changing and will also ensure older people accessing home care have the time to understand the Support at Home changes, including:
- service agreements and care plans
- service list, prices and contributions to non-clinical services.
To help providers prepare, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing (department) has released a priority actions list.
The Aged Care Reform Roadmap is currently being updated to reflect the revised start date of the new Aged Care Act 2024 and associated reforms. An updated version will be published shortly.
Updated audit evidence collection tools
The ACQSC have updated the draft evidence collection tools to help you be aware of the audit requirements under the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards for providers who are registering (new provider), renewing and applying to vary their registration.
For most existing providers the Audit Evidence Collection Tool you’ll use will be the renewal version.
The Commission has also developed a video on becoming a registered provider and renewing your registration.
Provider Governance Policy
Under the new Act, registered providers will need to meet certain governance obligations.
The ACQSC has released a Provider Governance Policy that outlines their expectations of providers and guiding principles of good governance. The document is useful for registered providers to ensure they are meeting the expectations of the Commission.
The policy includes:
- definitions and principles of good governance
- provider governance obligations
- how the ACQSC collects provider governance information
- how ACQSC will respond to provider governance risks.
Aged Care Fees Estimator
The Department has developed a Support at Home and an Aged Care Home fees estimator to help older people and their families estimate how much they may be asked to pay towards their care and services and make informed decisions.
COVID Updates
See the department website for any updates.
Home Care Updates
Support at Home Training
The Department of Health and Aged Care has developed online training to help HCP and STRC providers learn about the changes and their responsibilities under the Support at Home program.
Topics Include:
- Program overview
- The assessment process and service delivery
- Service agreement, care plan and budget planning
- Short term pathways
- Claiming and payments arrangements
Support at Home Manual
The Support at Home program manual is a guide designed to assist registered providers to understand and comply with the Support at Home program rules, procedures and obligations. The latest version was updated on 15 May 2025.
Support at Home Program Handbook
This document outlines the core components of the Support at Home program design and arrangements from 1 November 2025. The latest version was updated on 4th June 2025.
Support at Home Transition Guide
This document 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. The latest version was updated on the 10th June 2025.
Residential Care Updates
Accessing Resident Immunisation Records
Facility and clinical managers can now apply for a residential care facility to become a recognised vaccination provider. They can also get access to the Australian Immunisation Register (AIR).
This makes it easier to:
- tell which people in their care are due or overdue for vaccines
- make sure each resident’s vaccination status is accurately reported.
Department and Commission Newsletter Links
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.
CDCS Roundup for Busy People Newsletter
If you have others in your team who would benefit from our monthly aged care roundup for busy people – they can sign up here.
Industry Training, Webinars & Events
Residential Care Infection Prevention and Control Leads training
The Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control is holding a webinar on Infection Prevention and Control on Wednesday 18 June, 2:00 pm (AEST). Register here.
Cultural Diversity in Ageing
The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing (Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care Victoria) is running a free webinar series for providers on cultural diversity. The next webinar will be on intercultural and intergenerational initiatives in aged care on Tuesday 24 June, 2:00 pm to 4:00 pm (AEST). Register here.
Residential Care Costs and Fees (OPAN)
OPAN will host a webinar on Wednesday 25 June 2025, on how the new Aged Care Act will affect what older people pay for residential care. You can register here.
CHSP Sector Readiness Webinar
The Slide deck is available from the Department of Health and Aged Care webinar held on 12 June 2025.
Aged Care Reforms – The Impact on the Multi-Purpose Service Providers (MPSP) Webinar 9
Recording of the Department of Health and Aged Care webinar held on 27 May 2025
Aged Care Providers, Statement of Rights and Code of Conduct under the new Act
This video is about the Statement of Rights and Code of Conduct, which put older people at the centre of aged care.
Compliance and Enforcement
Recording of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission webinar held on 20 May 2025.
New Aged Care Regulatory Model – Provider Obligations and Rules
Recording of The Department of Health and Aged Care webinar held on 8 May 2025.
Residential Aged Care Financial Reporting and Care Minutes Funding Update
Recording of The Department of Health and Aged Care webinar held on 1 May 2025.
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.
Funding Opportunities
Funding Opportunities | Name of Grant | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| GO7589 | MRFF – DAACM – 2025 Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Grant Opportunity. The Medical Research Future Fund (MRFF) – 2025 Dementia, Ageing and Aged Care Grant Opportunity aims to support research that will help to improve quality of life for Australians as they age. | 20th August 2025 |
For more information on any of these grants, refer to the GrantConnect website.
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.
Jobs in Aged Care
Position | Organisation & Location | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| Aged Care and Disability Coordinator | Mataranka – Roper Gulf Regional Council | 22nd June 2025 |
| Gapuwiyak – East Arnhem Regional Council | Until filled | |
| Aged Care and Disability Services Officer | Millingimbi- East Arnhem Regional Council | Until filled |
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.
New In The TQP Members Resource Area
Below is a list of the updated policies, procedures, and other helpful resources in the last month. 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.
Resource updates in the last month
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
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