Provider insight: Breaking down the new regulatory model

The Department of Health and Aged Care shared a new guide on the updated aged care regulatory model, offering providers clear insight into its intentions and structure. 

Key points

• The new aged care regulatory model is part of the new Aged Care Act, which will come into force from July 1 2025 pending no unexpected delays
• It will introduce universal registration for each provider across all aged care programs, obligations linked to the types of services provided, and ways for providers to demonstrate and be recognised for excellence in service delivery
• The framework will be built on key regulatory protections across four focal points: supporting quality care, becoming a provider, responsibilities of provider and holding providers accountable

Universal registration 

Just as aged care participants will move into a single assessment system, aged care providers will adopt a universal provider registration model: a single registration for each provider across all aged care programs.

This means providers who deliver multiple programs will only need to register once, allowing for:

• One set of consolidated obligations specific to each registered provider
• Reduced administrative burden related to the current accreditation process
• Improved regulatory oversight
• Greater transparency of which providers operate in the sector and how they work across different programs

The registration process will start when a new entity seeks to provide Government-funded aged care services. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will oversee the registration and renewal process while ensuring providers meet their obligations. 

Standard registration renewal will be every three years and the Commission may extend or shorten a registration period depending on a provider’s compliance history.

The new registration process will apply to all providers delivering Government-funded aged care across residential care and home care, including Home Care Packages (HCP), Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Short-Term Restorative Care Programme, Transition Care Programme, Multi-Purpose Services Program and National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program (NATISFAC).

This is the first time the CHSP and NATSIFAC programs will be regulated under aged care legislation. Support at Home will be included once implemented, with sole traders and new partnerships among those who can also register to deliver some Government-funded aged care services.

When the new Act starts, CHSP, MPS, TCP and NATSIFAC programs will also be referred to as Specialist Aged Care Programs. Specialist Aged Care Programs are Government-funded programs where there is an agreement or arrangement, such as a grant, in place to deliver aged care services. 

These programs provide additional funding and support for individuals who meet the program criteria based on a needs assessment.

New categories for providers

As the Department prepares for the incoming Aged Care Act, providers will be moved to registration categories based on the services they deliver or the services as required by current funding agreements.

There will be six registration categories grouping service types based on similar care complexity and risk. This means registration requirements and related provider obligations will be linked to these registration categories. 

There is no restriction to which number of categories a provider can register for. They are: 

• Category 1: Home and community services
• Category 2: Assistive technology and home modifications
• Category 3: Advisory and support services
• Category 4: Personal care and care support in the home or community (including respite)
• Category 5: Nursing and transition care
• Category 6: Residential care (including respite)

There will be specific obligations relevant to each registration category, all falling under the banner of one set of consolidated obligations. The Department said this will streamline engagements between providers and the Commission. 

These obligations are outlined in the new Act, although they are aligned with several different elements, including the Statement of Rights, Statement of Principles, Code of Conduct and Quality Standards. 

More information on each of these elements can be found on the Department’s website. A webinar is also being held on Thursday November 14 at 2pm AEDT, with registrations now open.