There is a new regulatory model for delivering government-funded aged care services in Australia, effective from January 2026. The new Act encourages allied health professionals to understand their service delivery under the new regulations, as they play a crucial role in enhancing the wellbeing of older individuals in aged care settings.

The new regulatory model outlines the responsibilities of aged care providers under the Aged Care Act 2024. It introduces universal registration for providers across all aged care programs, emphasises more protections for older people, recognises excellence for service delivery through longer registration periods and implements whistle-blower protections to identify misconduct.

The new Act allows individuals and partnerships to apply as registered providers for the first time and introduces new definitions for aged care providers and workers. Approved providers are now referred to as registered providers and associated providers are subcontractors delivering funded services on behalf of registered providers.

The previous Aged Care Quality Standards have been enhanced to improve outcomes for older people, setting clear expectations for quality care delivery. Registered providers delivering allied health services will be audited against these standards.