Only six weeks to go to the 1 November Reform commencement, and it really is the pointy end!
The ongoing flow of information updates and more resources from the Department and Commission is a lot to keep on top of. In this month's edition, we are flagging key actions providers need to have done or be doing to prepare.
In recent strategy calls with providers who downloaded our free Reform Action Checklist, they have found it extremely helpful to have a plan stepped out with them. You can still access the checklist here.
One new major initiative from the Department has been the release of a new Provider Requirements Search Tool 🔎 to help Aged Care teams and their governing bodies identify the regulatory conditions that apply specifically to their context. If you missed the webinar, there’s a link in this newsletter in the Industry Training, Webinars and Events section.
There will be additional webinars and information updates from the Department in the coming weeks. You can find information on those, as well as all the key Industry updates, here 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.
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
Key actions for September/October
Things to Watch Out For / Prepare During Sept-Oct
- Ensure GPMS (Government Provider Management System) details are fully updated: organisation address, key contacts/personnel, service-locations, service types. If done after the planned GPMS outage (around 17 October), changes may be delayed in registering under the new Act.
Note: There will be planned outages for both the GPMS and the Aged Care Provider Portal (ACPP) in October as the platforms are prepared for the 1 November transition. Information about the digital changes can also be found in the latest version of the Guide to Digital Changes.
If you require assistance with the Manage Your Organisation tile, please refer to the GPMS resources webpage. - Upload Support at Home pricing schedules (PDFs) between September and October 2025 via My Aged Care / Find a Provider/pricing schedule tools.
- Prepare for transition: new reporting formats, possibly new data fields under Strengthened Quality Standards, etc., as things shift from the old Act to the new Act on 1 November 2025.
All Sector Updates
(New) Aged Care Provider Requirements Search Tool
The department launched a new search tool to help users understand provider requirements under the Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules. It brings together registration conditions, obligations, and statutory duties in one place. It’s a summary resource only, with links to legislation and source documents.
A webinar demonstration was held on 16 September 2025, and the recording and slide deck are available. It will be helpful for:
- Current and prospective government-funded providers (from 1 Nov 2025)
- People working with or for registered providers
- Anyone interested in aged care provider requirements
Expectations on Providers to educate their staff on reforms
In a recent open letter to providers the Hon. Sam Rae MP noted an expectation that providers roster dedicated paid time for workers to complete training and demonstrate competency against new requirements, consistent with their obligations under the Fair Work Act, this extends to both employees and subcontractors.
Click here to read the full letter.
First Nations – Digital Flipchart – Your rights in aged care
The ACQSC has published a visual guide for conversations between providers/workers and older people about aged care and the rights of people accessing aged care services. It includes notes for providers/workers to help guide the conversation.
Aged Care Financial and Prudential Standards 2025 – exposure draft
The ACQSC has released the exposure draft for the New Financial and Prudential Standards. This is the final version of the draft legislation which outlines the requirements for providers.
Statement of Rights Explainer
The Dept. Health, Disability and Ageing has published an A4 printable resource that summarises the rights older people have when accessing aged care services.
Providers can use this resource in welcome packs for older people accessing their services.
The New Aged Care Act – fact sheet for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
The Department has released a fact sheet that provides a summary of the changes related to the new Aged Care Act aimed at Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Quick Links – Aged Care Standards resources and updated Audit resources
The ACQSC has developed a range of resources to support providers and their staff in understanding the revised Quality Standards and how to apply them in practice. These have been compiled into a quick links document with QR codes.
The Commission has also updated its audit resources. These include:
These new guides replace the previous audit methodology.
There is training module ‘Auditing the strengthened Quality Standards’ on the Commission’s online learning platform too (ALIS). Access is free for government-funded providers and their employees.
New financial hardship form
Services Australia has updated its financial hardship form (SA462) to make it easier for care recipients to claim assistance.
Note – the form will be updated again in November once the new Act commences. The Services Australia site has further information on Aged Care financial assistance and the process.
Reports Due
| Report/Requirement | Period Covered/What It Relates To | When It's Due (or What Providers Should Do by | Notes/What Providers Must Be Doing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Care Financial Report (ACFR) for FY 2024-25 | 1 July 2024 – 30 June 2025 | 31 October 2025 (within 4 months of end of financial year) | Non-government approved residential aged care providers must lodge. Ensure your finance team is gathering all required financial statements in time. |
| Annual Prudential Compliance Statement (APCS) | FY 2024-25, especially for providers holding refundable accommodation deposits | Also 31 October 2025 with the ACFR | If relevant to your operations, check whether you hold refundable accommodation deposits. |
| Quarterly Financial Report (QFR) — Q1 2025-26 | 1 July – 30 September 2025 | Due early November 2025 (35 days after the end of the quarter), but you’ll need to prepare during September/October. | Even though the due date is in early November, data collection, reconciliations, etc., happen now. Under the transition, providers will submit under the old Act up to 31 October. |
| Quality Indicator Program (QI Program) – Data for Q1 2025-26 (Residential Care) | 1 July – 30 September 2025 | Due 21 October 2025 under the current structure (Approved Provider Portal) | Providers must ensure service delivery and QI data capture is accurate and complete for residential aged care services. |
| Provider Operations Collection Form (Annual) | FY 2024-25 (for approved providers under the old Act) | Due 31 October 2025 | Make sure operational detail (staffing, services, locations etc.) is up-to-date and your internal data captures what is needed. |
| Other GPMS / Provider Information Updates | Changes in organisation details, service locations, key personnel, etc. | Before the GPMS outage (~17 October 2025) providers should finalise changes in the Approved Provider Portal. | Because the system transitions to a new portal structure under the new Act from 3 Nov, any older-Act changes need to be lodged before the outage. |
COVID Updates
See the department website for any updates.
Home Care Updates
Support at Home program manual – A guide for registered providers (updated Sept. 2025)
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, it has recently been updated and providers should download and refer to the latest version when preparing for the 1 November transition.
There were a lot of updates made in this latest edition, including new or updated information on:
- Evidence for claiming
- Contribution rates for transitioned and grandfathered participants
- Interaction between SaH and CHSP
- Continence Aid Scheme
- Case studies
- Financial reporting…and more
Support at Home – Care Agreement template and guidance
If you missed the August release of a Support at Home Care Agreement template, checklist and guidance, you can access that here.
Residential Care Updates
Care minutes targets in residential aged care by service (updated for financial year 2024-25)
Approved providers of residential care services are required by law to ensure a certain amount of direct care minutes is provided to care recipients at a service each quarter. This document provides information on service-level care minutes targets in residential aged care for financial year 2024-25.
Care minutes and 24/7 registered nurse responsibilities – guides for residential aged care providers (updated Sept. 2025)
These guides provide information about the mandatory care minutes and 24/7 registered nurse responsibilities. They include information on responsibilities, including delivery of care minutes and registered nurse coverage and reporting obligations.
Changes to care minute funding
The Australian Government is introducing changes to the way it funds the delivery of care minutes for residential aged care providers of non‑specialised services in metropolitan areas (Those operating in MM1). Care funding will be linked to the delivery of care minutes in all non‑specialised aged care homes in metropolitan areas.
To make sure providers are meeting care minute targets and to ensure funding is used for its intended purpose, impacted services not meeting their targets will see their care funding reduced from April 2026. The amount will depend on the services’ care minutes performance from the October – December quarter of 2025 onwards.
The Department has developed a fact sheet explaining how it will work and when the changes will commence.
Star Ratings fact sheet for older Australians
We know from feedback that star ratings have been a little confusing for older people and their families. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has also taken note of this and developed a plain English fact sheet to help older Australians understand and utilise the star ratings when making decisions about residential care.
Webinar Update – Electronic National Residential Medication Charts (eNRMC) and My Health Record (MHR) – 12 August 2025
The Department recently planned a live webinar on the eNRMC and MHR which was cancelled, in response the Department ran a recorded session for providers.
While most submitted questions were addressed during the webinar there were a number of frequently asked questions that were not. The Department has compiled a response to these along with a summary of the answers discussed in the recording.
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
Changes to financial reporting from 1 November
This webinar on Tuesday, 23 September at 2:00 pm will provide an overview of changes to financial reporting under the new Aged Care Act from 1 November. To register, click here.
Digital transformation
The next webinar with further updates on the aged care sector and IT is on 30 September. For more information, click here.
Aged care resources
https://www.health.gov.au/topics/aged-care/resources
Effective incident management education pack
The ACQSC has developed an ‘effective incident management education pack’ designed for providers to deliver to their own staff. The content can be delivered in full or as a series of shorter sessions, allowing trainers to focus on the sections most relevant to the setting and available time.
The aim is to support staff in understanding the role they play in effectively managing incidents and to help them comprehend what an incident management system is and its key elements.
eLearning opportunities
The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing have developed a number of eLearning modules to support providers, their staff and older people to understand the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home, how they will be impacted and what they need to do. There are different modules for:
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.
Culturally inclusive care – free training
The Multicultural Communities Council of Illawarra (Partners in Culturally Appropriate Care NSW/ACT) is providing free courses for people working in aged care. These courses are in line with the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, new Aged Care Act and Statement of Rights. You can access information here.
Funding Opportunities
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 Services Care Coordinator | Ramingining – East Arnhem Regional Council | 19th September 2025 |
| Darwin – East Arnhem Regional Council | 3rd October 2025 | |
| Aged Care & Disability Services Care Coordinator | Galiwin'ku, – East Arnhem Regional Council | Until filled |
| Aged Care and Disability Services Officer/Cook | Galiwin’ku – East Arnhem Regional Council | Until filled |
| Aged Care & Disability Services Officer / Cook | Gapuwiyak – 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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