May has been a big month for the sector, with the Federal Budget landing on 12 May and bringing with it a headline commitment of $3.7 billion for aged care. On the surface, that sounds significant, and in some areas, it is. But as you'll read in this edition, the investment doesn't reach everywhere it's needed.
The most welcome change for home care providers and older Australians is the reclassification of personal care into the clinical care category under Support at Home. From 1 October 2026, these services will no longer attract a participant co-contribution. That's a meaningful win for older Australians who rely on these supports every day.
For residential care, the budget includes funding toward new beds and expanded Specialist Dementia Care units – a step in the right direction, given the scale of unmet demand – but one the sector has broadly described as falling well short of what is needed.
What's harder to ignore are the gaps. There is no new funding identified for CHSP. And the wait time crisis continues for Support at Home – with the average gap between approval to actually accessing care being 10-11 months! For older Australians and their families, that is not good enough, and the sector is saying so loudly.
On pricing, the Commission now has new powers to order refunds where providers are found to be overcharging under Support at Home, and a National Pricing Summary will be published quarterly so older people can compare what their provider charges. Price caps have been paused while further work is done. The Department and the Commission will specifically monitor the pricing of personal care services as they transition into the Clinical Care category – an important safeguard as these changes roll out from October.
This edition also has a bumper crop of training and webinars – covering culturally safe care, CALD communication and gambling harm for older Australians. Details are in the Training section.
As always, reach out if there's anything we can help you navigate.
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.
Do you operate an aged care digital platform?
If you are completing provider registration or re-registration, you may have come across the question: “Will you deliver services through an aged care digital platform?” This question often causes confusion, especially when most providers are already using a variety of electronic systems every day to operate their business. However, an aged care digital platform is not your internal system. It is not your client management system, your rostering tool, or your claiming system, those are the tools you use to run your everyday operations.
Industry News
All Sector Updates
2026–27 Federal Budget: $3.7 Billion for Aged Care
The Federal Budget handed down on 12 May 2026 included a major aged care funding package totalling $3.7 billion across residential beds, Support at Home packages, dementia care and quality and safety measures.
The biggest (and long overdue) change for home care: from 1 October 2026, personal care services will be reclassified as clinical care and will no longer attract a participant co-contribution.
For residential providers, $millions of new funding have been allocated to support new aged care accommodation and expand Specialist Dementia Care units.
Sector peak bodies have broadly welcomed the investment while flagging that it still falls short of what's needed to support safe, quality and responsive care.
Fact sheets on the 2026-27 Budget can be accessed here
Inspector-General of Aged Care Resigns
Natalie Siegel-Brown has announced her resignation as Inspector-General of Aged Care, effective 31 July 2026.
The announcement came after her high-profile interventions in the reform debate, including telling a Senate inquiry she had lost confidence in the government's rollout of Support at Home. She remains in the role until the end of July. The Inspector-General of Aged Care is an independent oversight role created in response to the 2021 Royal Commission. Its core job is to review how the aged care system is performing and hold regulators accountable.
Budget 2026: What the Sector Says Is Still Missing
While the $3.7 billion headline has been welcomed, key sector voices are flagging significant gaps. OPAN has highlighted that the median wait time from assessment to receiving Support at Home services has blown out to 245 days (up from 118 days). The budget did not address concerns about the Integrated Assessment Tool – which assessors cannot currently override, even when clinical judgement suggests a different outcome. Dementia Australia welcomed the dementia-specific funding but flagged it still falls short of what is needed. Ageing Australia also noted the absence of any new CHSP funding.
Culturally Safe Aged Care Assessments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander People (Victoria)
Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative in Shepparton, VIC – is now accepting referrals for both home support and comprehensive aged care assessments for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in selected Victorian regions. The pilot is designed to deliver assessments that are culturally safe, healing-informed and trauma-aware and has been extended for 12 months to 30 June 2027. Where Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessment organisations are not yet available, assessments can still be accessed through other providers in the Single Assessment System.
National Reconciliation Week May 27 – 3 June
National Reconciliation Week runs from 27 May to 3 June, and this year's theme – ‘All In’ – is a call for all Australians to commit wholeheartedly to reconciliation, not just one week a year, but every day. For aged care providers, this is a timely reminder that culturally safe, healing-informed care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples isn't a compliance checkbox – it's at the heart of what quality care looks like in our communities.
Consider how your organisation might mark the week with your team, your clients and the communities you serve. Free posters, resources and event listings are available on the Reconciliation Australia website.
Stay ahead of compliance…
With pricing scrutiny increasing and care minutes accountability now in effect, now is a good time to check where your organisation stands.
👉 Need to check your compliance? Our Free Compliance Checklist and Compliance Guide can help you identify gaps and strengthen your approach.
And if you need more hands-on support, take a look at our services or get in touch – we're here to help.
Legislation Updates
Additional and Extra Service Agreements: Transition Deadline Approaching (Residential Care only)
Existing Additional Services and Extra Services fee agreements ceased to be valid under the new Aged Care Act from 1 November 2025, replaced by the optional Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF). Any remaining agreements must be fully transitioned by 31 October 2026. Feedback from providers has raised concerns about the complexity of the new agreement process. We will continue to monitor this issue and promote any updates as they arise.
Information on the Department's website can be found here
Outbreak Updates
The National Notifiable Disease Surveillance System reports 230 diphtheria cases this year, the largest outbreak since national record-keeping began.
Around 60 per cent of the cases in this outbreak are in the Northern Territory, with further outbreaks in Western Australia, South Australia, and Queensland.
For aged care providers — particularly those working in remote communities – this is an important alert.
For more information, visit:
The Centre for Disease Control; and monitor media
Reports Due
Industry wide or program specific
| Report | Due Date | Who | Key Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) — Q3 2025–26 | Early May 2026 | All registered aged care providers (excl. CHSP-only) | Covers Jan–Mar 2026. Submit via GPMS. Note: Late submissions affect Star Ratings for residential care |
| Care Minutes Reporting | Captured within QFR | Residential providers (RN & total minutes) | New MM1 funding accountability in effect from April 2026. Performance closely monitored |
Home Care Updates
New Powers to Tackle Unfair Support at Home Pricing
The aged care regulator now has the power to order refunds for overcharging under Support at Home. The government has deferred the introduction of price caps while it finalises the framework, but these new enforcement powers are already in effect, meaning providers should review their pricing practices now.
The government confirmed it is deferring caps until it has “greater confidence in the stability of the market.” (Minister Sam Rae)
Summary of Changes and implications for Support at Home providers:
- The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has been empowered to order refunds where providers are found to be overcharging, and can take regulatory action against providers not issuing monthly statements.
- A new National Summary of Support at Home Prices will be published quarterly, showing median and range of prices so older people and families can compare what their provider charges against the rest of the market.
- Providers are also being encouraged to limit price increases to no more than twice per year.
- A working group bringing together OPAN, COTA Australia, Ageing Australia and the Commission will focus on developing a clearer definition of “reasonable” pricing, further consultation on the multi-provider model, and guidance for older people who self-manage their packages.
You can access the Ministers statement here.
Rising Fuel Costs: A Growing Pressure on Home Care Delivery
With fuel prices climbing above $2.50 per litre (and more in remote areas), home care workers are reporting they are out of pocket and providers are being urged to review travel reimbursement arrangements. Sector advocacy bodies have called on the Department to urgently review travel reimbursement settings within the Support at Home funding framework. This is particularly relevant to our readers in rural and remote areas.
Residential Care Updates
Care Minutes Funding Changes: Now in Effect
From April 2026, residential homes in metropolitan areas (MM1) now face tighter care minutes funding accountability. A portion of AN-ACC funding for non-specialised homes in MM1 is now linked directly to demonstrated delivery of required care minutes, drawn from QFR data. Providers in scope should be closely monitoring their care minutes performance and ensuring QFR submissions are accurate and on time.
For further information, see Fact Sheet on Care Minute Funding changes
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.
Industry Training, Webinars & Events
Communicating with Culturally and Linguistically Diverse People
The Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care Alliance is hosting a free webinar covering practical tools for engaging language services, best practice communication strategies, and culturally safe care. Organised by COTA NT, Migrant Resource Centre Tasmania and Ethnic Communities Council of Queensland.
Wednesday 27 May 2026, 1:30pm – 2:45pm AEST
Preventing the Impacts of Gambling Among Older CALD Communities
The Centre for Cultural Diversity in Ageing is hosting a webinar for providers on recognising and responding to gambling harm among older people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds. Topics include identifying warning signs, starting supportive conversations, cultural considerations and available supports.
Thursday 28 May 2026, 11:30am – 12:15pm AEST
Designing Culturally Safe Aged Care
A Department of Health webinar for aged care providers and designers on creating culturally safe aged care homes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Covers a new complementary resource to the Principles and Guidelines, culturally safe design principles, and how to collaborate effectively with First Nations communities.
Thursday 28 May 2026, 2:00pm – 3:00pm AEST
COTA Australia – Aged Care Reform Explained – Webinar Series
COTA Australia and OPAN (Older Persons Advocacy Network), are hosting webinar sessions to provide an opportunity for older people and their families to have their questions answered. This might be something that providers can recommend to their clients and supporters.
Monday 1 June 2026 2.00pm – 4.00pm AEST.
Tuesday 30 June 2026 2.00pm – 4.00pm AEST.
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.
The Strengthened Quality Standards sessions for June will be:
Residential services:
- Thursday 4th June, 10:30 – 12:00 (AEST)
Home services:
- Tuesday 16th June, 13:00 – 14:30 (AEST)
To register or access Alis – go to the Aged Care Learning Information Solution (Alis) website.
Webinars for the aged care sector
The Department hosts webinars on various topics relevant to the aged care sector. See what's coming up or watch past webinars, click here.
Funding Opportunities
Funding Opportunities | Name of Grant | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| GO8248 | Support at Home Pooled Funding Trial – The Support at Home Pooled Funding Trial (the trial) is part of the Support at Home program. The trial will test whether pooling a portion of participants’ budgets in a group setting can improve service delivery and support older people to access more services through creating economies of scale. | 29th May 2026 |
| GO7810 | Market Adjustment Program – The Market Adjustment Program grant opportunity builds on the Government’s existing Market Adjustment Program which supports residential aged care providers (providers) that are facing financial viability concerns by expanding that support to Support at Home providers. NOTE: The MAP is a closed, non-competitive, invitation-only grant opportunity. To be eligible, the provider must be identified by the Commission or the department being at risk and must undergo a financial assessment. | Current round closes 30th May 2026 |
| GO7393 | Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) Emergency and Critical Need This grant is to assist CHSP providers with financial support to respond to unforeseen and exceptional circumstances. For example: natural disasters, declared pandemics; vital equipment failure; increased transport costs due to sudden fuel price changes, and recurrent funding for critical needs due to viability concerns or service shortages related to the impact of CHSP provider withdrawals | Open until 30th April 2027 |
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.
Jobs in Aged Care
Position | Organisation & Location | Closing Date |
|---|---|---|
| Coordinator, Aged Care | Nyirripi OR Ti Tree, Central Desert Regional Council | 7th June 2026 |
| Multiple Locations (Haasts Bluff/Papunya), MacDonnell Regional Council | Until filled | |
| Aged Care Support Worker (Part Time) | Pormpuraaw Aboriginal Shire 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 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.
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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