As the new aged care reforms commence on 1 November 2025, it is very likely you'll receive a high volume of emails from various regulatory areas of the Department of Health. Disability and Ageing and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission reminding you of the reform requirements or advising you of registration details, etc.
We know this volume, and the pace of change, can be challenging, but it is important for providers to stay on top of reform requirements.
If you are struggling or have questions feel free to reach out to us. We'll help as much as we can so you can prioritise actions.
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.
How NATSIFACP supports quality of life for older First Nations people
Aged care is about more than keeping people safe, supported with daily living needs, and cared for — it’s about ensuring older people can live with dignity, connection, and purpose. For many Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, quality of life is tied deeply to family, community, culture, and Country. That’s where flexible, culturally grounded programs like the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program (NATSIFACP) make all the difference.
Industry News
All Sector Updates
New Aged Care Act roadmap
Selected key dates for providers to be aware of leading to the start of the Aged Care Act 2024 on 1 November 2025. Last updated: 24 September 2025
New Act resources
The Department published a refreshed New Aged Care Act roadmap and Provider Operational Readiness – Priority Actions List to help services prepare for 1 November 2025.
Provider Operational Readiness – Priority Actions List
This list has been updated and 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.
Statement of Rights – sector-facing explainer
Refreshed pages and factsheets for older people and services.
Legislation Updates
New Financial and Prudential Standards – exposure draft
The ACQSC have released the final version of the draft legislation – Aged Care Financial and Prudential Standards 2025, which outlines the requirements for providers. Not all providers will need to respond to these Standards; however, providers should review this document and ascertain whether they have responsibilities under the new legislation as this will be a new requirement for some home care providers.
Reports Due
ACFR (all programs) + APCS (residential holding RADs)
Due 31 Oct 2025 (within 4 months of 30 June year-end). No extensions provided under the new Act/Rules.
QFR – Quarter 1 (Jul-Sep 2025)
Due 4 Nov 2025 (35 days after quarter end). Residential must include food & nutrition and labour costs/hours; home care must include labour costs/hours.
Home Care Updates
Subsidy increase in the Home Care Packages Program
The Home Care Packages subsidy will rise on 1 October 2025. This will help cover any reasonable increases to prices resulting from providers paying their aged care workers and nurses increased award wages. Providers should ensure October statements/claims reflect the 1 October subsidy increase.
Contribution estimates for Support at Home
Providers should be speaking to clients about the estimated contribution rates for the Support at Home program.
For people approved after 12 September 2024, Services Australia has begun sharing estimated contribution rates with providers from 1 October so you can discuss what they may pay from November. (People approved on/before 12 September 2024 are covered by the “no worse off” rules.)
Support at Home – refreshed program manual (V4)
Latest manual for registered providers delivering under the new Act (2025–27), updated September 2025.
Support at Home – features summary
New explanatory pages outlining classifications, early intervention and higher-needs supports.
CHSP reforms – DEX mapping
Providers must map old to new service list 1 July–1 November 2025. The Department has published step-by-step guidance and a Stage-1 DEX toolkit (updated Sept).
CHSP client transition info
New provider & client factsheets about CHSP access arrangements from 1 November 2025.
In-Home Meal Requirements
The Department released the new guidance for meal requirements in Home Care in September. Here's a quick summary and key links:
What does this mean for Home Care Providers?
- You will need evidence of:
- Annual dietician review and findings
- Food safety certification
- Allergens, labelling, packaging, cold chain etc
- A Quality Assurance Framework
- If you use a contractor – you will need to review and update your agreement and ensure compliance with the guidelines.
For our TQP Resource Hub members – there is a new policy on ‘In-Home Meal Provision' and an example QAF checklist.
Support at Home – eKit and communication information
Services Australia has published more information including an ‘eKit' that has communication resources to help providers with communication to older people and their families, including:
- talking points
- questions and answers to facilitate discussions
- a guide on accessing Support at Home estimated contributions
For our TQP Resource Hub members – you can find a plain English Guide for conversations about increasing costs and reform impacts in the ‘Reform Resources’ section.
Residential Care Updates
Accreditation/Reaccreditation transition
ACQSC advises services with accreditation expiry 1 July–31 October 2025 should not lodge reaccreditation applications under the old rules; extensions are being managed by the Commission. Further information can be found here.
Changes to Staff Ratings for Star Ratings
From 1 October 2025, the Staffing rating will better reflect the amount of care time residents receive from staff. Aged care homes will need to meet both legislated care minutes targets (total care minutes and registered nurse care minutes), to get 3 stars or more for their Staffing rating.
IHACPA Residential Pricing Advice 2025-26
The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) has released the Residential Aged Care Pricing Advice 2025–26. This informs Government decisions from 1 October 2025 to 30 September 2026
Food & nutrition compliance hub
Department’s consolidated guidance on strengthened food/nutrition obligations and reporting.
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
A new chapter for aged care from 1 November 2025 – ACQSC
Webinar date: Tuesday 21 Oct 2025 2:00 pm to 3:30pm AEDT
From 1 November, aged care in Australia will change.
The new Aged Care Act, Support at Home program, new regulatory model and strengthened Quality Standards put older people at the centre of aged care.
Join this webinar to help you:
- manage the transition
- understand next steps
- ask questions and get practical advice
This webinar is for aged care providers and will focus on support, transition and Q&As.
Alis access expanded to Associated providers and their staff
Under the new Aged Care Act, registered providers must make sure associated provider staff who work for them have the right training and skills to do their jobs and understand their obligations. To help providers, free Alis learning access has been extended to associated providers and their staff.
eLearning for aged care workers and volunteers
Providers have been reminded by the Government they have a responsibility to ensure their staff are educated and informed about the reforms and the impact on their role in supporting the changes. The Department has provided eLearning modules and providers should be providing time for staff to complete these modules.
Similar education sessions have been developed for management of aged care services.
Getting ready for provider registration applications, audits and fees explained
YouTube recording of webinar held on 7th October 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
Wages Wages guidance & funding
The Department has updated its better and fairer wages page for the 1 October award increases (including nurses), with a Historical Leave Liabilities grant opportunity flagged for late October 2025.
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 |
|---|---|---|
| Regional Coordinator – Aged Care Services | Darwin – East Arnhem Regional Counci | Until filled |
| Galiwin'ku – East Arnhem Regional Council | Until filled | |
| Aged Care & Disability Services Officer / Cook | Gapuwiyak – East Arnhem Regional Council | Until filled |
| Aged Care and Disability Services Care Coordinator | Ramingining – East Arnhem Regional Council | Until filled |
| Aged Care Support Worker | 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 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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