Aged Care Regulatory Updates

The latest aged care regulatory changes in Australia, curated by the Barton Care compliance team.

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important29 April 2026·ACQSC

SIRS Expanded to Support at Home Providers Under New Act

Standard 1Standard 2

Under the Aged Care Act 2024 (from 1 November 2025), SIRS has been expanded from residential care to include Support at Home providers. Priority 1 incidents must be reported within 24 hours; Priority 2 within 30 days; final reports within 60 days. The 8 reportable incident types continue to apply. Residential providers should review updated guidelines.

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critical29 April 2026·Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Care Minutes Performance Statement — New Externally Audited ACFR Requirement

Standard 2

A new Care Minutes Performance Statement has been added to the 2025-26 ACFR. It requires reporting of direct care minutes delivered, associated labour hours and costs, RN coverage and occupancy — and must be externally audited. The ACFR is due by 31 October 2026.

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critical29 April 2026·ACQSC Quality Bulletin #2-2026

New Audit Process Under Strengthened Quality Standards Now In Effect

Standard 1Standard 2Standard 3Standard 4Standard 5Standard 6Standard 7

The ACQSC has commenced auditing providers against the Strengthened Quality Standards using a new process that is more efficient, consistent and transparent. Audits are conducted for registration, renewal or variation in categories 4, 5 or 6. Providers have opportunities to respond to findings before final decisions.

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critical29 April 2026·My Aged Care / Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Star Ratings Compliance Rating Redesigned — Graded Assessment Against Strengthened Standards

Standard 1Standard 2Standard 3Standard 4Standard 5Standard 6Standard 7

From 1 November 2025, the Compliance rating incorporates graded assessment against the 7 Strengthened Quality Standards. Transition to the redesigned rating will take up to 3 years as homes are audited. A Compliance rating of 1 or 2 stars will cap the Overall Star Rating. Homes may also be eligible for an 'exceeding' grade.

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critical29 April 2026·Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Care Minutes Funding Linked to Delivery — Metro Homes From 1 April 2026

Standard 2Standard 3

From 1 April 2026, care funding for non-specialised homes in metropolitan areas (MM1) is linked to delivery of care minutes via a new care minutes supplement. The Base Care Tariff will be reduced by up to $31.92 per resident per day, with that amount redirected into the supplement paid based on actual care minutes performance.

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critical29 April 2026·ACQSC Quality Bulletin #3-2026

ACQSC Targeted Review of Financial and Prudential Investment Standard — April 2026

Standard 2

The ACQSC will commence a targeted review in April 2026 of compliance with the new Financial and Prudential Investment Standard. All non-government providers registered in Category 6 must comply, including maintaining an Investment Management Strategy to protect refundable deposits. Selected providers will be contacted directly.

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critical29 April 2026·Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Aged Care Act 2024 — 12-Month Transitional Deadline Approaching for Agreements and Care Plans

Standard 1Standard 2Standard 3

Under the Aged Care Act 2024 (commenced 1 Nov 2025), existing residential care agreements automatically became 'service agreements' and existing care plans became 'care and service plans'. Both must be reviewed and varied or replaced within 12 months (by 1 November 2026). Providers must also provide the Statement of Rights to all existing residents. The deadline is approaching — action needed now.

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critical29 April 2026·Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Care Minutes Supplement Commences — Funding Linked to Delivery for MM1 Homes

Standard 3Standard 5Standard 2

From 1 April 2026, non-specialised residential aged care homes in metropolitan areas (MM1) have their Base Care Tariff reduced, with the difference redirected into a new care minutes supplement. The supplement is zero if a home delivers less than 85% of both total care minutes and RN minutes targets. Providers should use the online estimator and ensure QFR reporting accuracy, as supplement entitlements are calculated from QFR data two quarters earlier.

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important12 April 2026·Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

ACFR 2025-26 — First Report Under Registered Provider Structure with Significant Changes

The 2025-26 ACFR will be the first completed under the Registered Provider structure (opening July 2026, due 31 October 2026). Key changes include new Care Time Performance Statement, updated terminology and declaration files to align with the new Aged Care Act, a new Annual Prudential Compliance Statement, and new Hotelling/HELF line items. Providers must report under both the Aged Care Act 1997 (Jul-Oct) and Aged Care Act 2024 (Nov-Jun) in one report.

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critical12 April 2026·ACQSC Quality Bulletin #3-2026

Audited Care Minutes Performance Statement Now Required in ACFR 2025-26

Standard 5

All residential aged care providers must submit audited Care Minutes Performance Statements as part of the Aged Care Financial Report for 2025-26, due 31 October 2026. If care minutes reported in the Performance Statement differ from the Quarterly Financial Report, the department can recalculate the care minutes supplement. This is the first year this externally audited statement is required.

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critical12 April 2026·ACQSC Quality Bulletin #3-2026

ACQSC Targeted Review of Financial & Prudential Investment Standard Begins April 2026

In April 2026, the ACQSC is commencing a targeted review on the new Financial and Prudential Investment Standard. All non-government providers registered in Category 6 must comply with the Investment Standard, including setting up and maintaining an Investment Management Strategy. Selected providers will need to demonstrate how well they understand and comply with their financial and prudential obligations under the new Aged Care Act.

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critical12 April 2026·Department of Health, Disability and Ageing

Care Minutes Supplement Commenced 1 April 2026 — Funding Linked to Delivery

Standard 5Standard 2

From 1 April 2026, the government has linked care funding to care minutes delivery for non-specialised homes in metropolitan (MM1) areas. BCT funding is reduced by 0.113 NWAU ($31.92/bed day) and redirected into a new care minutes supplement paid on a sliding scale based on actual care minutes performance. Providers delivering below 85% of both total and RN targets receive zero supplement. This is a direct financial consequence for non-compliance with care minutes targets.

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Key Regulatory Deadlines

Upcoming compliance deadlines for Australian aged care providers

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