Newsletter March 2026

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.

Re-registration and Transition – Letters are out

The Department continues to emphasise preparation for provider re-registration under the new Aged Care Act, and many providers have begun receiving their renewal letters.

What we’re seeing:

• Some providers are underestimating the volume of evidence required
• Others are unsure how to align existing systems to the new legislative framework

What this means in practice:

If you haven’t started mapping your:

• governance arrangements
• policies and procedures
• evidence sources

…you’re already behind where you need to be.

👉 Not sure where you stand?

Start with our Free Compliance Checklist and go deeper with the Compliance Guide* – practical tools to help you identify gaps, organise your evidence, and prepare with confidence. *There is a discount on the Guide for the month of March – download the FREE checklist to access the discount code. 

New Audit Process – Be Ready to Show, Not Just Tell

The Commission has introduced a new audit approach designed to be more structured, transparent and consistent. Key changes include:

• Announced audit visits
• Clear communication of concerns and potential non-conformances
• Opportunities for providers to respond to findings before outcomes are finalised

Audits will apply when providers:

• apply for registration
• renew registration
• or vary services (Categories 4, 5 and 6)

All assessments are now aligned to the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and the new registration requirements under the Aged Care Act. While this creates more transparency, it also raises the bar.

Providers will need to demonstrate, clearly and confidently, how their systems work in practice, with well-organised evidence aligned to the Strengthened Quality Standards.

For more information on the audit tools, go to the ACQSC site.

Submission of Forms

The ACQSC has changed the way that information is updated – in case you missed that memo – their main submission pages are here: 

Change in circumstances form

Main forms and applications page

Clinical update – management of indwelling urinary catheters

The Commission has released new clinical advice highlighting the importance of safe, high-quality management of indwelling urinary catheters (IDCs). This applies to residential care, transition care, home care, and the end-of-life pathway in home care.

Under the Strengthened Quality Standards, providers must demonstrate robust clinical governance systems that include clear guidelines, staff training, monitoring, and continuous improvement processes. The Commission has posted an article and case study for more information. 

Updated Fee Schedules for residential care and Support at Home

The Department has published new Schedules for residential care and Support at Home, updated in line with indexation. The rates take effect from 20 March 2026.

Services Australia will also send letters to older people and their providers to advise of any changes with indexation to:

• means tested fees and contributions for residential aged care  
• participant contribution rates for Support at Home. 

You can find out more information on the Department alert here.

Sector Report for July – October 2025 – published

The report for the last quarter of 2025 has been published by the Commission.

The ‘key findings at a glance’ section has some interesting statistics – including:

Banning orders

• 54 banning orders issued from 1 July to 31 October 2025. Of these banning orders, 23 were for a specified time and 31 were permanent. 
• 89 providers and workers were investigated for possible breaches of the Aged Care Code of Conduct.

Financial & Prudential compliance

Between 1 September and 31 October 2025, the ACQSC engaged with 174 providers to: 

• assess their readiness
• review their implementation plans 
• identify gaps
• provide education and resources. 

SIRS

Between July and October 2025, over 22,000 serious incidents were reported, driven largely by use of force and neglect in residential care, and missed care (including medications) in home services, with ongoing concerns about underreporting in home care.

Complaints

Between July and October 2025, complaints highlighted growing concerns about workforce shortages and skill mix in residential care, as well as fees and pricing transparency in home services, with both trends under close monitoring by the Commission.

Note: This is the final Sector Performance Report in its current format, with the Commission set to consult on a new approach to reporting under the Aged Care Act 2024 while continuing to release data through quarterly updates. 

Aged Care Provider Workforce Survey 2026 – closing this week 

The Aged Care Provider Workforce Survey 2026 closes on Friday, 27 March 2026. The survey applies only to aged care services selected to participate. For any enquiries about this survey, contact HealthConsult on (02) 8311 0844 or email acpws@surveys.healthconsult.com.au.

GPMS Portal Update

The Government Provider Management System (GPMS) was updated this week, introducing new functionality in the Registered Provider Portal, including access to Star Ratings and underlying metrics, compliance information (such as regulatory decisions and performance against the Strengthened Quality Standards), a preview of finance and operations data, and offline bed records for residential care homes.

Updated resources on the Aged Care Act

Updates have been made to the Departments page on New Aged Care Act resources for aged care workers, including the release of a new training module on the Equip Aged Care Learning site.  This is free for all users. Access the Equip learning site here

Users receive a downloadable certificate detailing the CPD hours after completing a short knowledge quiz at the end of each module. Completion of Equip modules may be used by organisations to meet staff training and education needs.

Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) 

• Due: Early May (for Jan–Mar quarter)
• Who: Registered aged care providers (Note: CHSP only providers do not submit a QFR)
• What:
  • Financial performance
  • labour costs (& care minutes* for residential)
  • food & nutrition data* – for residential and NATSIFACP residential 

Watch: Increasing scrutiny – this data feeds into Star Ratings and risk profiling

Care Minutes Reporting (via QFR)

• Due: Captured within QFR
• What:
  • RN minutes
  • total care minutes
    (Note: NATSIFACP residential providers – report care minutes via their Service Activity Report)

Watch: Performance is still being closely monitored.

** Here's the link to the Aged Care Financial Reports Calendar on the ACQSC page in case you haven't bookmarked it yet.

ACFR Guidance Update

The Department updated its Aged Care Financial Report page (ACFR) in March, so what changed?

There is a stronger focus on provider accountability, financial viability and alignment with the new Aged Care Act. While there are no major changes to reporting requirements at this stage, the update signals a shift toward closer regulatory scrutiny of financial performance as part of ongoing registration and risk assessment.

Home Care Update – Meal Delivery Requirements

The Commission has released new guidance confirming that meal services are a regulated requirement under the Aged Care Act.

This applies to providers delivering food in the home or community (Categories 1 and 4).

Key expectations:

• Meals must be nutritious, appetising, and aligned to individual needs and preferences
• Services must be reviewed by a dietitian at least annually
• Providers must have a quality framework in place to monitor and improve meal services

Importantly, providers remain fully responsible for compliance, even when using external or associated providers.

The Commission published a regulatory bulletin for home care providers in late February.  If you missed it, you can find it here.

What this means:
Meal delivery is not just a service add-on; it is a compliance obligation linked to quality, safety and consumer rights.

👉 Need to check your compliance?
Our Free Compliance Checklist and Compliance Guide can help you identify gaps and strengthen your approach.

ACQSC Update – Prudential Review Program (Support at Home)

The Commission has commenced a targeted prudential review program (Feb 2026) focusing on selected Support at Home providers, primarily those with late financial reporting or where additional oversight is likely to improve compliance.

Key issues identified so far:

• Non-compliant or inconsistent service agreements
• Poor pricing transparency
• Gaps in financial and prudential management systems

The Commission is signalling a much tighter focus on financial governance and transparency—particularly around pricing and agreements. Providers who haven’t tightened these areas yet are now firmly on the radar. Support at Home providers should have updated all pricing on their websites and in My Aged Care to comply with the legislation.

If you still need help with this, the Commission instructional video to help Support at Home providers set up their organisation’s pricing in the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal.

Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme and Support Plan reviews

Support at Home participants transitioning from HCP must now undergo a support plan review, with appropriate clinical evidence, to access funding for assistive technology and home modifications. 

We are also fielding frequent questions on this topic from SaH providers and their Care Partners.

(**CDCS Resource Hub Members – look out for a new fact sheet to guide AT-HM assessment and processes in the Program & Reform tile/ Support at Home) 

More information from the Department can be accessed here:

• Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (AT-HM) scheme guidelines
• My Aged Care Service and Support Portal.

Food & Nutrition Under Scrutiny

The Commission has reinforced that food and nutrition are core compliance obligations, not optional extras.

Providers must ensure older people receive food and drink that:

• meets their nutritional and clinical needs
• reflects their preferences and choices
• is not subject to additional charges where it is required for care

What this means:
Gaps in food, nutrition or dining services are being treated as quality and compliance risks, with potential impact on resident wellbeing—and trust. At a minimum, providers should be able to demonstrate:

• clear meal options and communication
• adequate protein, calcium and dietary alternatives
• access to nourishing snacks and drinks at all times

The Commission has published guidance and resources here.

New Maggie Beer Foundation training module

The Maggie Beer Foundation has released a free online training module, Meals with Meaning, focused on person-centred aged care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Designed for cooks, chefs and food service staff, the training supports respectful, ongoing conversations with residents and families to better understand preferences and improve mealtime experiences. You can access the training here.

Care minutes – data reporting changes

Care minutes reporting isn’t going away – but it is moving. Providers will now need to access targets and performance data via the Department’s website rather than GPMS, reflecting a broader shift toward more centralised and transparent reporting under the new Aged Care Act. For more information monitor the Department page here.

Consultation: Higher everyday living fee

The Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF) arrangements started on 1 November 2025 and replaced the existing Extra Service and Additional Service arrangements.

The Department is undertaking this survey to understand provider and worker experiences in managing and delivering services under the new Higher Everyday Living Fee arrangements.The survey closes on 4 April.

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.

Recent Webinars

If you missed the following ACQSC webinars…

• 17 March 2026: Varying and renewing provider registration; your questions answered – recording and presentation slides
• 17 February 2026: Rights-based complaints handling under the new Aged Care Act – recording and presentation slides

The Australasian College for Infection Prevention and Control recently held a webinar on diagnostic stewardship. They also have extensive IPC resources; you can access this information on their website.

Upcoming Webinars

• Financial reporting – Aged Care Financial Report 2025-26. Thursday 26 Mar 2026 2:00 pm to 3:00pm AEDT.
  This webinar will provide an overview of changes to the Aged Care Financial Report (ACFR) for 2025-26 resulting from the transition to the new Aged Care Act and the Support at Home program. Register here.
• Risk-based monitoring/inspections 21 April 2026, 2.00 pm to 3.00 pm (AEST) – link to be posted.  Monitor the webinar page for updates.

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 help them understand what compliance looks like.

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

Online live learning – March

The Commission is offering live learning sessions in March to help aged care staff understand and meet their obligations under the Strengthened Quality Standards.

Places are limited; find out more on the Live learning page.

Training Checklist – Aged Care Workers and Volunteers

In case you missed our previous promotion of the Department's Training checklist, you can access it here.

For more information on any of these grants, refer to the GrantConnect website.

Aged Care Governance Training & Support – Rural, Remote, or First Nations providers

This support includes a two hour online session delivered by an aged care governance expert. The training is designed to help Boards and governing bodies understand what good governance and compliance looks like now under the new Aged Care Act and Rules. The application process is short and you can access the form here.

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.

Over February/March, we’ve added 50+ new and updated resources to the Total Quality Package, reflecting the latest program information and compliance with the Aged Care Act, Strengthened Quality Standards, and regulatory expectations.

For members, this means access to current, practical tools to strengthen systems, organise evidence and stay audit-ready- without starting from scratch.

More updates are on the way, including an updated Policy and Procedures Standards Matrix and operational Support at Home guidance– so watch this space.

If you’re not yet a member, this is exactly the kind of support providers are leaning on right now as compliance expectations ramp up.
If you’re looking for comprehensive, industry-specific policies, procedures, and work instructions that have been successfully used by dozens of aged care providers, helping them pass quality reviews easily and stay compliant, then take a look at the Total Quality Package.

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