Aged care policy and regulation in Australia
Policy and regulation for residential and home care providers and retirement living operators. Below are the official items from the last 14 days that we rated high or medium for Aged care, each linked to its official source.
What we match to Aged care
We rate each item for Aged care. Items on these subjects, among others, are matched to this sector:
- Aged care and disability (NDIS)
- Health services, Medicare and hospital funding
- Workplace relations
- Immigration and citizenship
- Housing, property and planning
Official items from the last 14 days
As at 2:50 am on 21 Oct 2026 (Sydney time), 8 official items from the last 14 days are rated high or medium for Aged care.
Expressions of Interest to deliver CHSP Cottage Respite (overnight respite) services for older people in the ACT from 1 July 2027 (opens the official source in a new tab)
AI summaryThe Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is seeking expressions of interest from registered aged care providers to deliver overnight respite services in the ACT from 1 July 2027. This follows the Australian Government's $10 million commitment through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program to upgrade Burrangiri Aged Care Respite Centre, which will close for up to 12 months from 30 June 2027. The Department prioritises currently funded CHSP providers but welcomes proposals from other registered providers. Maximum annual Commonwealth funding available is approximately $7.9 million. Applications close 17 November 2026.
Putting victims first: Coronial reforms to deliver answers sooner (opens the official source in a new tab)
AI summaryQueensland's Crisafulli Government passed the Justice and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2026, which introduces amendments to the Coroners Act 2003 to streamline coronial processes. Key changes include clarifying the State Coroner's delegation powers to registrars, allowing any coroner to investigate mandatory inquests into deaths in custody or during police operations that result from natural causes, improving transparency in findings referrals, expanding eligibility for the Domestic and Family Violence Death Review Board Chairperson, and expanding coronial oversight to include reportable deaths of people receiving disability support through the Commonwealth Disability Support for Older Australians Program. The amendments commence on proclamation.
(c) State of Queensland. Source: statements.qld.gov.au, licensed under CC BY 4.0
NSW steps further into aged care as report warns state not to replace Commonwealth (opens the official source in a new tab)
(c) State of New South Wales. For current information go to www.nsw.gov.au
Bendigo Health to Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH) discharge checklist – RACH Staff evaluation survey (opens the official source in a new tab)
AI summaryThe Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is seeking feedback from staff on Bendigo Health's new Residential Aged Care Discharge Checklist. The checklist is completed for patients transitioning from hospital to residential aged care homes to support safe, timely and consistent discharge planning. An anonymous survey closes 13 November 2026.
Bendigo Health to Residential Aged Care Homes (RACH) discharge checklist – Hospital staff evaluation survey (opens the official source in a new tab)
AI summaryThe Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is seeking feedback from hospital staff on Bendigo Health's new Residential Aged Care Discharge Checklist. The checklist is completed for patients transitioning from hospital to residential aged care homes to support safe, timely and consistent discharge planning. The consultation closes 13 November 2026.
Emergency Power Arrangements (opens the official source in a new tab)
AI summaryThe Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is consulting on backup power arrangements at residential aged care homes in Tasmania. The consultation seeks updated information to assess sector preparedness for prolonged power outages and emergency events, and to inform coordination and response activities. The consultation opened 8 October 2026 and closes 23 October 2026.