Aged Care Rules 2025

Aged Care Rules 2025

made under the

Aged Care Act 2024

Compilation No. 9

Compilation date: 18 July 2026

Includes amendments: F2026L00982

This compilation is in 2 volumes

Each volume has its own contents

About this compilation

This compilation

This is a compilation of the Aged Care Rules 2025 that shows the text of the law as amended and in force on 18 July 2026 (the compilation date).

The notes at the end of this compilation (the endnotes) include information about amending laws and the amendment history of provisions of the compiled law.

Uncommenced amendments

The effect of uncommenced amendments is not shown in the text of the compiled law. The details of amendments made up to, but not commenced at, the compilation date are underlined in the endnotes. Any uncommenced amendments affecting the law are accessible on the Register (www.legislation.gov.au).

Application, saving and transitional provisions

If the operation of a provision or amendment of the compiled law is affected by an application, saving or transitional provision that is not included in this compilation, details are included in the endnotes.

Editorial changes

For more information about any editorial changes made in this compilation, see the endnotes.

Presentational changes

The Legislation Act 2003 provides for First Parliamentary Counsel to make presentational changes to a compilation. Presentational changes are applied to give a more consistent look and feel to legislation published on the Register, and enable the user to more easily navigate those documents.

Modifications

If the compiled law is modified by another law, the compiled law operates as modified but the modification does not amend the text of the law. Accordingly, this compilation does not show the text of the compiled law as modified. Any modifications affecting the law are accessible on the Register.

Self‑repealing provisions

If a provision of the compiled law has been repealed in accordance with a provision of the law, details are included in the endnotes.

Contents

Chapter 1—Introduction

Part 1—Preliminary

1‑5 Name

3‑5 Authority

4‑5 Simplified outline of this instrument

Part 2—Definitions

Division 1—Definitions—general

5‑5 Definitions

6‑5 References to actions taken or statements given

6‑15 Nominating restrictive practices nominees

6‑20 Meaning of restrictive practices substitute decision‑maker

Division 2—Matters prescribed for definitions in section 7 of the Act

7‑1 Accommodation bond

7‑2 Accommodation bond balance

7‑3 Accommodation charge

7‑8 Approved needs assessors

7‑11 Cost

7‑12 Direct care

7‑13 Entry contribution

7‑14 Entry contribution balance

7‑17 Entry day

7‑19 Homeowner

7‑20 Lifetime cap

7‑21 Price charged

7‑22 Serious injury or illness

7‑23 Service delivery branch

Part 3—Aged care service list

Division 1—Preliminary

8‑5 Aged care service list

8‑10 Subsidy basis

8‑12 Service types

Division 2—Home support service types

8‑15 Allied health and therapy

8‑16 Subscription allied health and therapy

8‑20 Assistance with transition care

8‑25 Care management

8‑30 Community cottage respite

8‑35 Domestic assistance

8‑36 Subscription domestic assistance

8‑40 Hoarding and squalor assistance

8‑45 Home maintenance and repairs

8‑46 Subscription home maintenance and repairs

8‑50 Home or community general respite

8‑51 Subscription home or community general respite

8‑55 Meals

8‑56 Subscription meals

8‑60 Nursing care

8‑61 Subscription nursing care

8‑65 Nutrition

8‑70 Personal care

8‑71 Subscription personal care

8‑75 Restorative care management

8‑80 Social support and community engagement

8‑81 Subscription social support and community engagement

8‑85 Therapeutic services for independent living

8‑86 Subscription therapeutic services for independent living

8‑90 Transport

8‑91 Subscription transport

Division 3—Other specified matters for home support service types

8‑95 All service types must be delivered in a home or community setting

8‑100 Other specified matters—non‑subscription service types that can only be delivered under specialist aged care programs

8‑105 Other specified matters—other non‑subscription service types

8‑106 Other specified matters—subscription service types

Division 4—Assistive technology service types

8‑110 Equipment and products

Division 5—Other specified matters for assistive technology service types

8‑115 All service types must be delivered in a home or community setting

8‑120 Other specified matters for assistive technology service types

Division 6—Home modifications service types

8‑125 Home adjustments

Division 7—Other specified matters for home modifications service types

8‑130 All service types must be delivered in a home or community setting

8‑135 Other specified matters for home modifications service types

Division 8—Residential care service types

8‑140 Residential accommodation

8‑145 Residential everyday living

8‑150 Residential non‑clinical care

8‑155 Residential clinical care

Division 9—Other specified matters for residential care service types

8‑160 Service types must be delivered in a residential care home

8‑165 Other specified matters for residential care service types

Part 4—Other key concepts

11‑5 Provider registration categories

11A‑5 Delivery of funded aged care services

Part 5—Aged Care Code of Conduct

14‑1 Purpose of this Part

14‑5 Requirements

14‑10 Application of requirements

Part 6—Aged Care Quality Standards

Division 1—Purpose and application

15‑1 Purpose of this Division

15‑5 Application of standards

Division 2—The standards

15‑10 Standard 1—The individual

15‑15 Standard 2—The organisation

15‑20 Standard 3—The care and services

15‑25 Standard 4—The environment

15‑30 Standard 5—Clinical care

15‑35 Standard 6—Food and nutrition

15‑40 Standard 7—The residential community

Part 7—Reportable incidents and restrictive practices

Division 1—Reportable incidents

16‑5 Defining and clarifying expressions relating to reportable incidents

16‑10 Acts, omissions and events that are not reportable incidents—general

16‑15 Acts, omissions and events that are not reportable incidents—use of restrictive practices in a home or community setting

Division 2—Restrictive practices

17‑5 Practices and interventions that are restrictive practices in relation to individuals

Part 8—Supporters

Division 1—Actions and duties of supporters

28‑5 Role of guardians etc—prescribed classes of persons

Division 2—Registration of supporters

37‑5 Registration of supporters—matters the System Governor must take into consideration

Chapter 2—Entry to the Commonwealth aged care system

Part 1—Introduction

55‑5 Simplified outline of this Chapter

Part 2—Eligibility for entry

Division 1—Applying for access to funded aged care services

56‑5 Classes of persons who may apply on behalf of individuals

57‑5 Period for deciding whether to make eligibility determinations

58‑5 Information to be provided for eligibility determinations

Division 2—Aged care needs assessments and reassessments

Subdivision A—Aged care needs assessments

62‑5 Assessment tool

Subdivision B—Aged care needs reassessments

64‑5 Significant changes in circumstances

64‑10 Other circumstances—individuals accessing funded aged care services other than through the service group residential care—general

64‑11 Other circumstances—individuals accessing funded aged care services other than through the service group residential care—individuals wishing to access subscription services

64‑15 Information for reassessments in other circumstances

Division 3—Approval of access to funded aged care services

Subdivision A—General

65‑5 Approval of services in service types for individuals

65‑10 Eligibility requirements—service group home support

65‑15 Eligibility requirements—service groups assistive technology and home modifications

65‑20 Eligibility requirements—service group residential care

65‑30 Period for making decisions

Subdivision AB—Conditions on approvals of service types or services in certain service groups

69‑5 Conditions on approvals of subscription service types or subscription services—prescribed matters

Subdivision B—Period of effect of approval

71‑5 Alternative entry—when access approval takes effect—circumstances and period for making application

Part 3—Classification

Division 1—Classification assessments

75‑5 Circumstances in which classification assessment not required

76‑10 Assessment tools and other requirements for classification assessments required under subsection 75(1) or (2) of the Act and carried out by approved needs assessors

76‑15 Circumstances and information for classification assessments required under paragraph 75(1)(a) or subsection 75(2) of the Act and carried out by the System Governor

76‑20 Circumstances and information for classification assessments required under paragraph 75(1)(b) of the Act (on application for classification reassessment) and carried out by the System Governor

76‑25 Classification assessments for classification type ongoing for service group residential care—skills, qualifications and other requirements for approved needs assessors

Division 2—Classification decisions

Subdivision A—Period for making classification decisions

78‑5 Period for making classification decisions

Subdivision B—Period of effect of classification levels

80‑5 Purpose of this Subdivision

80‑10 Service group home support—classification type ongoing

80‑15 Service group home support—classification type short‑term

80‑20 Service group assistive technology—classification type ongoing

80‑25 Service group assistive technology—classification type short‑term

80‑30 Service group home modifications—classification type short‑term

80‑35 Service group residential care—classification type ongoing

80‑40 Service group residential care—classification type short‑term

80‑45 Service group home support, assistive technology or residential care—classification type hospital transition

Subdivision BA—Circumstances in which classification levels resume being in effect for a period

80‑47 Purpose of this Subdivision

80‑49 Circumstances in which classification levels resume being in effect for a period—service groups home support, assistive technology and home modifications

Subdivision C—Maximum period of effect of classification levels

80‑50 Purpose of this Subdivision

80‑55 Service group home support—classification type short‑term—classification level SAH restorative care pathway

80‑57 Service group home support—classification type short‑term—classification level SAH end‑of‑life pathway

80‑60 Service group residential care—classification type short‑term

80‑65 Service group home support, assistive technology or residential care—classification type hospital transition

Division 3—Classification levels and procedures

Subdivision A—Introduction

81‑5 Purpose of this Division

81‑7 Meaning of home support compounding factors

81‑8 Meaning of residential care compounding factors

81‑9 Scientific population study for residential care compounding factors

Subdivision B—Classification levels and criteria

81‑10 Service group home support—classification type ongoing

81‑15 Service group home support—classification type short‑term

81‑17 Service group home support—classification type hospital transition

81‑20 Service group assistive technology—classification type ongoing

81‑25 Service group assistive technology—classification type short‑term

81‑27 Service group assistive technology—classification type hospital transition

81‑30 Service group home modifications—classification type short‑term

81‑35 Service group residential care—classification type ongoing

81‑40 Service group residential care—classification type short‑term

81‑42 Procedure for deciding initial classification levels for individuals for the classification types ongoing and short‑term for the service group residential care

81‑45 Service group residential care—classification type hospital transition

Part 4—Prioritisation

Division 1—Prioritisation assessments

84‑5 When prioritisation assessments not required for classification type ongoing for service group home support

Division 2—Priority category decisions

86‑5 All service groups—period in which priority category decisions must be made

86‑10 Service group residential care—priority category 1—areas

Division 3—Priority categories for classification types for service groups

Subdivision A—Service group home support

87‑5 Priority categories and eligibility criteria for classification type ongoing

Subdivision B—Service groups assistive technology and home modifications

87‑7 Priority categories and eligibility criteria

Division 4—Circumstances for urgency ratings—service group residential care

87‑10 Classification type ongoing

Part 5—Place allocation

Division 1—Allocation of places to individuals

Subdivision A—Allocation of places to individuals

92‑5 When allocation of places to individuals does not apply for classification type ongoing for service group home support

92A‑5 When a place is in effect—period for start day—service groups home support, assistive technology and home modifications

92A‑10 When a place ceases to have effect—service groups home support, assistive technology and home modifications

Subdivision B—Method for allocation

93‑5 Purpose of this Subdivision

93‑10 Classification type ongoing for the service group home support—method for deciding order of allocation

93‑12 Classification type ongoing for the service group home support—method for assigning places to priority categories

93‑13 Classification type ongoing for the service group home support—method for working out wait time factor

93‑14 Classification type ongoing for the service group home support—method for System Governor determination of target classification type wait time

93‑15 Classification types ongoing and short‑term for the service group assistive technology—method for deciding order of allocation

93‑20 Classification type short‑term for the service group home modifications—method for deciding order of allocation

Division 2—Allocation of a place to registered providers for certain specialist aged care programs

95‑5 Allocation of a place—System Governor may invite application for allocation of TCP place

95‑10 Allocation of a place—application for allocation of a TCP place

95‑15 Allocation of a place—matters of which System Governor must be satisfied before allocating TCP place

97‑5 When a place is in effect—basic rules

97‑10 When a place is in effect—temporary cessation

97‑15 When a place is in effect—permanent cessation

97‑25 When a place is in effect—reallocation of TCP place

98‑5 Transfer of places

99‑5 Conditions that apply to an allocated place

101‑5 System Governor decision on whether to vary a condition—matters to which System Governor must have regard

Chapter 3—Provider registration

Part 1—Introduction

104‑1 Simplified outline of this Chapter

Part 2—Provider registration and residential care home approval process

Division 1—Applications for registration and registration decisions

Subdivision A—Application fees, information for applications and decision making periods

104‑5 Application for registration—application fee

104‑15 Application for registration—other information

105‑5 Application for registration—period for making decision

107‑5 Application for renewal of registration—application fee

108‑5 Application for renewal of registration—period for making decision

Subdivision B—Provider registration category specific requirements

109‑5 Provider registration categories for which audit findings or prescribed circumstances are required

109‑10 Circumstances in which audit findings are not required—health service standards assessments

109‑15 Circumstances if audit finds nonconformance

109‑25 Other requirements for registration, renewal or variation of registration—delivery of funded aged care services in certain circumstances

109‑30 Other requirements for renewal or variation of registration—provider registration category subscription trial

109‑35 Exemption from requirements for renewal or variation of registration—provider registration category subscription trial

Division 2—Audit requirements

Subdivision A—Purpose of this Division

110‑5 Purpose of this Division

Subdivision B—How audits must be conducted—general

110‑13 Audit must be conducted

Subdivision C—How audits must be conducted—assessments of approved residential care homes

110‑26 Assessments—approved residential care homes

110‑28 Preliminary assessment report of home assessment

110‑30 Final assessment report of home assessment

Subdivision D—How audits must be conducted—attendance at a service delivery location for home or community setting

110‑32 Attendance at a service delivery location—home or community setting

Subdivision E—How audits must be conducted—final audit report

110‑38 Final audit reports

Subdivision F—Type and scope of audits and other matters

110‑40 Type and scope of audits for provider registration categories

Subdivision G—Fees payable for an audit

110‑45 Audit fee—audit in connection with registration

110‑47 Audit fee—audit in connection with registration renewal

110‑49 Audit fee—audit in connection with variation of registration

110‑51 Audit fee—refunds

Subdivision H—Audit timeframes

110‑53 Audit timeframes for provider registration categories

Division 3—Applications for approval of residential care homes

111‑5 Application fee

111‑10 Information for residential care homes

112‑5 Period for making decision

113‑5 Approval of residential care homes

Division 4—Notice of decisions and other provisions

114‑5 Other matters for notices of decisions to register or renew

117‑5 Deemed registration—classes of entity

117‑10 Deemed registration—other matters for determinations of deemed registration

Part 3—Variations, suspensions and revocations of registration

Division 1—Variations, suspensions and revocations

124‑5 Application fee—variation to add provider registration categories

124‑10 Application fee—variation to remove provider registration categories

133‑5 Classes of persons who must not be appointed as eligible advisers

133‑10 Matters to be taken into account in specifying period within which eligible adviser must be appointed

Division 2—Variations, suspensions and revocations of approvals of residential care homes

136‑5 Variation of approval on Commissioner’s own initiative—bed availability

137‑10 Variation of approval on application by registered provider—bed availability

Division 3—Provider Register

141‑10 Other matters that must be included in the Provider Register—registered providers

141‑15 Other matters that may be included in the Provider Register—former registered providers

141‑20 Other matters that must be included in the Provider Register—responsible persons and aged care workers against whom banning orders are in force

141‑22 Other matters that may be included in the Provider Register—responsible persons and aged care workers against whom banning orders were in force

141‑25 Corrections of the Provider Register

141‑30 Publication of the Provider Register

Chapter 4—Conditions on provider registration

Part 1—Introduction

142‑1 Simplified outline of this Chapter

Part 3—Rights and principles

144‑1 Kinds of providers to which the conditions apply

Part 4—Delivery of funded aged care services

Division 1—Aged Care Quality Standards

146‑5 Kinds of providers that must comply with Aged Care Quality Standards

Division 2—Continuous improvement

147‑5 Kinds of providers that must demonstrate capability and commitment

147‑10 Kinds of providers that must have a continuous improvement plan

Division 3—Delivery of funded aged care services

Subdivision A—Kinds of provider to which the condition applies

148‑5 Kinds of providers to which the condition applies

Subdivision B—Requirements for delivering funded aged care services

148‑10 Purpose of this Subdivision

148‑15 All registered providers—preventing damage to an individual’s property

148‑20 Providers delivering services under certain provider registration categories—requirements for meals, snacks and drinks

148‑25 Providers delivering services under certain provider registration categories—requirements for service delivery equipment

148‑30 Providers delivering services under certain provider registration categories—requirements for personal protective equipment, infection prevention and control

148‑33 Providers delivering services under provider registration category residential care—services that must be delivered

148‑35 Providers delivering services under the TCP—services that must be delivered

148‑40 Providers delivering short‑term funded aged care services through the service group home support—services that must be delivered

148‑45 Providers delivering certain funded aged care services through the service group home support—requirements for the service home support care management

Subdivision C—Requirements for service agreements

148‑60 Purpose of this Subdivision

148‑65 Requirements for service agreements—general

148‑70 Requirements for service agreements—contents

Subdivision D—Requirements for care and services plans

148‑75 Purpose of this Subdivision

148‑80 Requirements for care and services plans—general

148‑81 Requirements for care and services plans—restorative care partner to be responsible for care and services plans in certain circumstances

148‑85 Requirements for care and services plans—contents for all individuals (other than individuals accessing services through the service group residential care)

Division 4—Starting and ceasing the provision of funded aged care services and continuity of those services

Subdivision A—Preliminary

149‑5 Requirements relating to starting and ceasing the provision of funded aged care services and continuity of those services

Subdivision B—Start notifications

149‑10 Requirements for start notifications—general

149‑15 Requirements for start notifications—provision to System Governor and Commissioner

Subdivision C—Cessation notifications

149‑20 Requirements for cessation notifications—general

149‑25 Requirements for cessation notifications—provision to System Governor and Commissioner

Subdivision D—Ceasing delivery of funded aged care services (other than services delivered in an approved residential care home)

149‑30 Application of this Subdivision

149‑35 Requirements for ceasing delivery of funded aged care services ‑ general

149‑40 Requirements for ceasing delivery of funded aged care services—notice to individual about cessation of services

149‑45 Requirements for ceasing delivery of funded aged care services—notice to individual about unspent portions

149‑46 Requirements for ceasing delivery of funded aged care services—notice to new registered provider about account balances

149‑48 Requirements for ceasing delivery of subscription services

Subdivision E—Security of tenure for individuals accessing funded aged care services in an approved residential care home

149‑50 Application of this Subdivision

149‑55 Security of tenure—general

149‑60 Security of tenure—circumstances where registered provider may ask an individual to leave an approved residential care home

149‑65 Security of tenure—notice requirements

149‑70 Security of tenure—movement of individuals

Subdivision F—Continuity of funded aged care services

149‑75 Continuity of care plan

149‑80 Transfer of records between registered providers

Part 5—Conditions relating to financial matters

150A‑1 Requirements for refundable deposit register

150A‑3 Kinds of providers to which the condition applies

150A‑5 Refundable deposit register to include information about refundable deposit paid and refundable deposit balances held

150A‑15 Refundable deposit register to include information about refundable deposit balances refunded

150A‑20 Refundable deposit register to include information about accommodation bond balances held by the registered provider

150A‑25 Refundable deposit register to include information about accommodation bond balances refunded

150A‑30 Refundable deposit register to include information about entry contributions paid and entry contribution balances held

150A‑35 Refundable deposit register to include information about entry contributions balances refunded

Part 6—Aged care workers

Division 1—Workforce and aged care worker requirements

Subdivision A—Kinds of provider to which the condition applies

152‑5 Kinds of provider to which the condition applies

Subdivision B—Worker screening requirements

152‑10 Purpose of this Subdivision

152‑15 Responsible persons of registered providers delivering services other than under CHSP or NATSIFACP

152‑16 Responsible persons of registered providers delivering services only under CHSP, NATSIFACP, or CHSP and NATSIFACP

152‑17 Responsible persons of other registered providers

152‑20 Aged care workers delivering services other than under CHSP or NATSIFACP

152‑21 Aged care workers delivering services only under CHSP, NATSIFACP, or CHSP and NATSIFACP

152‑22 Other aged care workers

152‑25 Police certificates

Subdivision C—Qualifications and training requirements

152‑35 Qualifications and training requirements

Division 2—Vaccination

153‑5 Kinds of provider to which the condition applies

153‑10 Requirements for providing access to vaccinations to individuals

Part 7—Information and access

Division 1—Personal information and record keeping

Subdivision A—Purpose of this Division

154‑1 Purpose of this Division

Subdivision B—Information provided to an individual

154‑2 Requirement to keep and retain information provided to an individual

154‑3 Requirement to correct personal information

Subdivision C—Vaccination

154‑5 Application of this Subdivision to certain registered providers

154‑10 Records about service staff—influenza vaccinations

154‑15 Records about service staff—COVID‑19 vaccinations

154‑20 Records about individuals receiving residential care—influenza vaccinations

154‑25 Records about individuals receiving residential care—COVID‑19 vaccinations

Subdivision D—Quality indicators

154‑105 Application of Subdivision to certain registered providers

154‑110 Requirements for records on quality indicators

Subdivision E—Incidents

154‑150 Records about details of incidents

Subdivision F—Complaints and feedback

154‑200 Application of Subdivision to feedback received

154‑205 Requirements for records of complaints and feedback

Subdivision G—Prudential and financial

154‑300 Requirement to keep and retain financial and prudential reports

Subdivision H—CHSP

154‑400 Application of Subdivision

154‑405 Requirements for records

Subdivision J—NATSIFACP

154‑500 Application of Subdivision

154‑505 Requirements for records

Subdivision K—Multi‑Purpose Service Program

154‑605 Application of Subdivision to certain registered providers

154‑610 Requirements for records

Subdivision L—Transition Care Program

154‑650 Application of Subdivision to certain registered providers

154‑665 Requirements for records

Subdivision M—Governing bodies

154‑700 Records about independent non‑executive members of a governing body

154‑705 Records about members of a governing body with clinical care provision experience

Subdivision N—Advisory bodies

154‑800 Records about the quality care advisory body

154‑805 Records about the consumer advisory body

Subdivision P—Worker screening

154‑900 Records of responsible persons

154‑905 Records of aged care workers

154‑910 How long records required by sections 154‑900 and 154‑905 to be kept

154‑915 Copies of records relating to allegations of misconduct

Subdivision Q—Delivery and continuity of funded aged care services

154‑1000 Requirement to keep and retain records relating to continuity of funded aged care services

Subdivision R—Status of service delivery branches

154‑1100 Requirement to keep and retain records about service delivery branches

Subdivision S—Claims for subsidy

154‑1200 Application of this Subdivision

154‑1205 Requirement to keep and retain records which enable claims for payment of subsidy to be verified

Subdivision T—Compliance

154‑1300 Requirement to keep and retain records relating to compliance

Division 2—Provision of information to individuals

155‑1 Purpose of this Division

155‑5 Kind of information to be provided and explained

155‑15 Information to be provided and explained—Statement of Rights

155‑20 Information to be provided—information to assist individuals to choose funded aged care services that best meet their needs

155‑25 Information to be provided—clear and understandable invoices

155‑30 Information to be provided—information about a registered provider’s management and use of refundable deposits

155‑35 Information to be provided—to prospective individuals

155‑36 Information to be provided—statement of audited accounts

155‑40 Information to be provided—monthly statement

155‑41 Information to be provided with monthly statement—subscription services

155‑45 Information to be given—final monthly statement

155‑50 Information to be provided—individualised budget

155‑55 Information to be provided—general information for individuals accessing any funded aged care services

155‑60 Information to be provided—general information for individuals accessing funded aged care services in a home or community setting

155‑65 Information to be provided—general information for individuals accessing funded aged care services in an approved residential care home

155‑70 Information to be provided—information about the financial position of a registered provider registered in a provider registration category other than residential care

155‑80 Information to be provided—pricing information (by way of publication)

155‑85 Requirements for allowing and facilitating access to information held about an individual

Division 3—Access by supporters etc.

156‑5 Access to individuals

156‑10 Access to settings

Part 8—Governance

Division 1—Membership of governing bodies

157‑5 Kinds of provider to which the independent non‑executive members requirement applies

157‑10 Kinds of provider to which the clinical care provision experience requirement applies

157‑15 Kinds of providers to which other governing body requirements apply

157‑20 Application for determination that certain conditions do not apply—other matters that the Commissioner may take into account

Division 2—Advisory body requirements

158‑5 Kinds of provider to which the quality care advisory body condition applies

158‑10 Requirements for membership of quality care advisory body

158‑15 Requirements for reports of quality care advisory body

158‑20 Kinds of provider to which the consumer advisory bodies condition applies

Part 9—Restrictive practices—approved residential care homes

Division 1—Preliminary

162‑5 Kinds of provider to which the condition applies

162‑10 Requirements relating to the use of restrictive practices

Division 2—Requirements relating to the use of restrictive practices

162‑15 Requirements for the use of any restrictive practice

162‑20 Additional requirements for the use of restrictive practices other than chemical restraint

162‑25 Additional requirements for the use of restrictive practices that are chemical restraint

162‑30 Requirements while restrictive practice being used

162‑35 Requirements following emergency use of restrictive practice

162‑40 Requirements relating to nominations of restrictive practices nominees

Division 3—Requirements relating to behaviour support

162‑45 Requirement for behaviour support plans

162‑50 Requirements for behaviour support plans—alternative strategies for addressing behaviours of concern

162‑55 Requirements for behaviour support plans—if use of restrictive practice assessed as necessary

162‑60 Requirements for behaviour support plans—if restrictive practice used

162‑65 Requirements for behaviour support plans—if need for ongoing use of restrictive practice indicated

162‑70 Requirement to review and revise behaviour support plans

162‑75 Requirement to consult on behaviour support plans

Division 4—Immunity from civil or criminal liability in relation to the use of a restrictive practice in certain circumstances

163‑5 Giving of informed consent by certain persons or bodies

Part 10—Management of incidents and complaints

Division 1—Incident management

Subdivision A—Preliminary

164‑1 Kinds of provider to which the condition applies

164‑5 Requirements relating to incident management

164‑10 Incidents to which this Division applies

Subdivision B—Implementing and maintaining an incident management system

164‑15 Requirements for system—objects

164‑20 Requirements for system—general

164‑25 Requirements for system—recording details of incidents

164‑30 Requirements for system—data collection and analysis

164‑35 Requirements for registered providers

Subdivision C—Managing and preventing incidents

164‑40 Requirements for managing incidents

164‑45 Requirements for improving management of incidents and taking reasonable steps to prevent incidents

Division 2—Complaints, feedback and whistleblowers

Subdivision A—Preliminary

165‑5 Purpose of this Part

Subdivision B—Implementing and maintaining a complaints and feedback management system

165‑10 Objects of this Subdivision

165‑15 Requirements for system—general

165‑20 Requirements for registered providers

Subdivision C—Managing complaints and feedback

165‑25 Requirements for complaints management and resolution

165‑30 Requirements for feedback management and resolution

165‑35 Other requirements relating to complaints and feedback

Subdivision D—Implementing and maintaining a whistleblower system and maintaining a whistleblower policy

165‑40 Objects of this Subdivision

165‑45 Requirements for system—general

165‑50 Requirements for registered providers—general

165‑55 Requirements for registered providers—whistleblower policy

Subdivision E—Managing disclosures that qualify for protection under section 547 of the Act

165‑60 Requirements for managing disclosures

Chapter 5—Registered provider, responsible person and aged care worker obligations

Part 1—Introduction

165A‑1 Simplified outline of this Chapter

Part 2—Obligations relating to reporting, notifications and information

Division 1—Preliminary

165A‑2 No limitation on other requests

Division 2—Reportable incidents

165A‑5 Purpose of this Subdivision

165A‑10 Application of Subdivision to registered providers

165A‑15 Registered provider must notify reportable incidents in accordance with this Subdivision

165A‑20 Registered provider must ensure that aged care workers notify reportable incidents

165A‑25 Priority 1 notice must be given within 24 hours

165A‑30 Priority 2 notice must be given within 30 days

165A‑35 Reporting not required in certain circumstances

165A‑40 Significant new information must be notified

165A‑45 Final report about reportable incident must be given if required

Division 3—Provider obligation—reporting to particular persons

Subdivision A—Vaccinations

166‑5 Application of Subdivision to certain registered providers

166‑10 Reports about service staff—influenza vaccinations

166‑15 Reports about service staff—COVID‑19 vaccinations

166‑25 Reports about individuals receiving residential care—COVID‑19 vaccinations

Subdivision B—Quality indicators

166‑105 Application of Subdivision to certain registered providers

166‑110 Requirement to provide a quality indicators report

166‑112 Requirements for the collection of information for quality indicators reports—measurements and assessments

166‑115 Timeframes for reporting under this Subdivision

166‑120 Quality indicator—pressure injuries

166‑125 Quality indicator—restrictive practices

166‑130 Quality indicator—unplanned weight loss

166‑135 Quality indicator—falls and major injury

166‑140 Quality indicator—medication management

166‑145 Quality indicator—activities of daily living

166‑150 Quality indicator—incontinence care

166‑155 Quality indicator—hospitalisation

166‑160 Quality indicator—workforce

166‑165 Quality indicator—Consumer Experience Assessment

166‑170 Quality indicator—Quality of Life Assessment

166‑175 Quality indicator—allied health

166‑180 Quality indicator—lifestyle officers

166‑185 Quality indicator—enrolled nursing

Subdivision C—Complaints and feedback management report

166‑205 Application of Subdivision

166‑210 Requirements for reporting information relating to complaints and feedback management

Subdivision D—Complaints and feedback information on request

166‑215 Application of Subdivision to all registered providers

166‑220 Requirements for reporting information on request relating to complaints and feedback management

Subdivision E—Prudential and financial

166‑310 Aged care financial report—general

166‑315 Aged care financial report—provision of a financial support statement

166‑320 Aged care financial report—what is a financial support statement

166‑325 Aged care financial report—permitted uses reconciliation

166‑335 Aged care financial report—care minutes performance statement

166‑340 Quarterly financial report

166‑345 Aged care financial report—general purpose financial report

166‑350 Aged care financial report—general purpose financial report audit requirements

166‑355 Financial and prudential reports—reporting period

166‑360 Aged care financial report—annual prudential compliance statement—general

166‑365 Annual prudential compliance statement—information about refundable deposits, accommodation bonds and entry contributions that must be included

166‑375 Annual prudential compliance statement—information about other fees that must be included

166‑380 Annual prudential compliance statement—Financial and Prudential Standards

166‑385 Annual prudential compliance statement—audit requirements

Subdivision F—CHSP

166‑600 Application of Subdivision

166‑605 Annual financial declaration statement

166‑610 Monthly performance report

166‑615 Annual wellness and reablement report

166‑620 Compliance report

166‑625 Service delivery report

166‑627 Exemption process for certain reports

166‑628 Child safety compliance statement

Subdivision G—NATSIFACP

166‑630 Application of Subdivision

166‑635 Annual financial declaration statement

166‑640 Audited income and expenditure report

166‑645 Service activity report

166‑646 Child safety compliance statement

Subdivision H—Multi‑Purpose Service Program

166‑720 Application of Subdivision to certain registered providers

166‑725 Annual activity report

166‑730 Annual statement of financial compliance and income and expenditure

166‑735 Service demographics report

Subdivision J—Transition Care Program

166‑740 Application of Subdivision to certain registered providers

166‑745 Annual accountability report

Subdivision K—Governing bodies

166‑800 Application of this Subdivision

166‑805 Governing bodies must prepare and provide statements

166‑810 Requirements for certain registered providers to give information relating to reporting periods

166‑815 Service provided during part only of reporting period

Subdivision L—Registered nurses

166‑850 Application of this Subdivision

166‑855 Reporting requirements relating to registered nurses

Subdivision M—Status of service delivery branches

166‑900 Application of this Subdivision

166‑905 Reporting requirements relating to service delivery branches

166‑910 Report for opening of a service delivery branch

166‑915 Report for change to a service delivery branch

166‑920 Report for merger of service delivery branches

166‑925 Report for closure of a service delivery branch

166‑930 Report if provider no longer intends to open, merge or close service delivery branch

Subdivision N—Pricing information

166‑1000 Application of this Subdivision

166‑1005 Pricing information

Part 3—Provider obligation—notifying of change in circumstances

Division 1—Obligation to notify

167‑5 Purpose of this Part

167‑10 Notifying the Commissioner—kinds of registered providers and changes

167‑15 Notifying the System Governor—circumstances

Division 2—Changes in circumstances

167‑20 Suitability of a registered provider

167‑25 Suitability of a responsible person of a registered provider

167‑30 Change of responsible persons of a registered provider

167‑35 Organisation arrangements of a registered provider

167‑40 Governance arrangements of a registered provider

167‑45 Change relating to the scale of operations of a provider

167‑50 Changes relating to intended service types

167‑55 Changes relating to arrangements with associated providers

167‑60 Changes relating to financial and prudential matters

167‑65 Changes relating to liquidity

167‑70 Changes relating to approved residential care homes

Part 4—Responsible person obligation—change in circumstances relating to suitability

169‑5 Kinds of registered provider to which the obligation applies

Part 5—Obligations relating to suitability of responsible persons

172‑5 Kinds of registered provider to which the obligation applies

172‑10 Requirements for records of suitability matters

Part 6—Obligations relating to aged care workers etc.

Division 1—Registered nurses

Subdivision A—Preliminary

175‑5 Exception to registered nurse requirement—approved residential care homes at which funded aged care services delivered only under TCP

175‑10 Purpose of this Division

Subdivision B—Process for granting exemptions

175‑15 Application for exemption

175‑25 Decision whether to grant exemption

175‑30 Notice of decision

Subdivision C—Revocation of exemptions

175‑45 Revocation on request

175‑50 Revocation on System Governor’s initiative

175‑55 Notice of decision

Division 2—Delivery of direct care

Subdivision A—Delivery of direct care—mainstream providers

176‑5 Kinds of provider to which the obligation applies, and requirements

176‑10 Application of this Subdivision

176‑15 Care minutes that must be delivered

176‑20 Average numbers of care minutes

Subdivision B—Delivery of direct care—NATSIFACP providers

176‑25 Kinds of provider to which the obligation applies, and requirements

176‑30 Application of this Subdivision

176‑35 Care minutes that must be delivered—NATSIFACP providers

Part 7—Other obligations—cooperation with other persons

177‑10 Giving data or records to the Pricing Authority

177‑15 Allowing access by the Pricing Authority to certain persons

177‑20 Allowing access by the Pricing Authority to residential care homes

Chapter 1—Introduction

Part 1—Preliminary

1‑5  Name

  This instrument is the Aged Care Rules 2025.

3‑5  Authority

  This instrument is made under the Aged Care Act 2024.

4‑5  Simplified outline of this instrument

Part 2—Definitions

Division 1—Definitions—general

5‑5  Definitions

Note: The following expressions used in this instrument are defined in the Act:

(a) associated provider;

(b) care and services plan;

(c) enrolled nurse;

(d) health service;

(e) means testing category;

(f) Multi‑Purpose Service Program;

(g) National Law;

(h) nursing;

(i) nursing assistant;

(j) old Act;

(k) registered nurse;

(l) service agreement;

(m) specialist aged care program;

(n) subsidy basis;

(o) Transition Care Program;

(p) transition time.

  In this instrument:

2023 MM category means a category for an area provided for by the Modified Monash Model, as the model existed on 13 April 2025, and known as MM 1, MM 2, MM 3, MM 4, MM 5, MM 6 or MM 7.

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner means a person who is registered under the National Law in the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander health practice profession.

Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker means a person who:

 (a) is:

 (i) a full member of the National Association of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Workers and Practitioners; and

 (ii) not an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Health Practitioner; or

 (b) holds a Certificate II or higher in Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Primary Health Care Practice from a registered training organisation.

accepted mental health condition means a mental health condition for which:

 (a) the Repatriation Commission has accepted liability to pay a pension under the Veterans’ Entitlements Act; or

 (b) the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Commission has accepted liability to pay compensation under the MRC Act or the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.

accommodation bond agreement means an agreement between an individual in the pre‑2014 accommodation class and a registered provider in relation to the delivery of ongoing funded aged care services to the individual through the service group residential care in an approved residential care home of the provider that meets the requirements set out in section 287‑25.

accommodation bond retention amount means an amount that a registered provider may deduct from an accommodation bond balance in accordance with section 287‑95.

accommodation charge agreement means an agreement between an individual in the pre‑2014 accommodation class and a registered provider in relation to the delivery of ongoing funded aged care services to the individual through the service group residential care in an approved residential care home of the provider that meets the requirements set out in section 287‑115.

accommodation wing, of an approved residential care home, includes any of the following:

 (a) a building;

 (b) a floor or level of a building;

 (c) an annex to a building;

that is used to provide accommodation for an individual to whom funded aged care services are being delivered in the home.

ACN has the same meaning as in the Corporations Act 2001.

Act means the Aged Care Act 2024.

additional service fee means an additional service fee under section 146 of the Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Rules 2025.

ad hoc higher everyday living agreement: see section 284‑2.

AFM assessment item means the Australian Modified Functional Independence Measure assessment item of the AN‑ACC Assessment Tool.

AFM cognition score, for an individual, means the individual’s total score for communication and social cognition on the AFM assessment item.

AFM communication score, for an individual, means the individual’s total score for communication on the AFM assessment item.

AFM eating score, for an individual, means the individual’s score for eating on the AFM assessment item.

AFM motor score, for an individual, means the individual’s total score for self‑care, sphincter control, transfers and locomotion on the AFM assessment item.

AFM social cognition score, for an individual, means the individual’s total score for social cognition on the AFM assessment item.

AFM transfers score, for an individual, means the individual’s total score for transfers on the AFM assessment item.

Aged Care Assessment Manual means the Aged Care Assessment Manual, published by the Department, as existing on 29 June 2026.

Note: The Aged Care Assessment Manual could in 2026 be viewed on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

aged care financial report, for a registered provider, means the report required by section 166‑310.

age pension has the same meaning as in Part 2.2 of the Social Security Act.

agitation score, for an individual, means the individual’s score for physically aggressive or inappropriate behaviour on the Behaviour Resource Utilisation Assessment assessment item of the AN‑ACC Assessment Tool.

AKPS assessment item means the Australia‑modified Karnofsky Performance Status assessment item of the AN‑ACC Assessment Tool.

AKPS score, for an individual, means the individual’s score on the AKPS assessment item.

allied health assistant means a person who holds a Certificate IV in Allied Health Assistance from a registered training organisation.

allied health profession means a health profession other than the following:

 (a) dental (including the profession of a dentist, dental therapist, dental hygienist, dental prosthetist and oral health therapist);

 (b) medical;

 (c) midwifery;

 (d) nursing.

allied health professional means a person who is any of the following:

 (a) a registered health practitioner who:

 (i) is registered under the National Law to practise an allied health profession, other than as a student (within the meaning of the National Law); or

 (ii) holds non‑practising registration under the National Law in an allied health profession;

 (b) an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander Health Worker;

 (c) an art therapist;

 (d) an audiologist;

 (e) a certified practicing nutritionist;

 (f) a counsellor;

 (g) a dietitian;

 (h) an exercise physiologist;

 (i) a genetic counsellor;

 (j) a music therapist;

 (k) an orthoptist;

 (l) an orthotist;

 (m) a pedorthist;

 (n) a prosthetist;

 (o) a recreational therapist;

 (p) a rehabilitation counsellor;

 (q) a social worker;

 (r) a sonographer;

 (s) a speech pathologist.

AN‑ACC Assessment Tool means the Australian National Aged Care Classification Assessment Tool, published by the Department, as existing on 1 April 2021.

Note: The AN‑ACC Assessment Tool could in 2025 be viewed on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

AN‑ACC Reference Manual means the Australian National Aged Care Classification Reference Manual, published by the Department, as existing on 1 April 2021.

Note: The AN‑ACC Reference Manual could in 2025 be viewed on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

annual accountability report, for a registered provider, means the report required under section 166‑745.

annual activity report, for a registered provider, means the report required under section 166‑725.

annual financial declaration statement, for a registered provider, means the statement required by section 166‑605.

annual prudential compliance statement, for a registered provider, means the statement required by section 166‑360.

annual statement of financial compliance and income and expenditure, for a registered provider, means the statement required by section 166‑730.

annual wellness and reablement report, for a registered provider, means the report required under section 166‑615.

antipsychotic medication, in relation to medication management, means the prescription of medications to an individual for the purposes of the treatment of a diagnosed condition of psychosis.

approval year, for an approved higher maximum accommodation payment amount, means the period of 1 year beginning on:

 (a) the day the approval takes effect under section 290‑25 or 290‑30 (as applicable); or

 (b) any later anniversary of that day.

approved health practitioner means a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner or registered nurse.

approved higher maximum accommodation payment amount means a higher maximum accommodation payment amount (expressed as a refundable accommodation deposit amount) approved by the Pricing Authority under subsection 290(6) of the Act.

ARIA value, for a location, means the value given to that location in accordance with the methodology set out in the document titled Measuring Remoteness: Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA), Occasional Papers: New Series Number 14, published by the Department in October 2001, as the document existed on 1 July 2013.

Note: The document titled Measuring Remoteness: Accessibility/Remoteness Index of Australia (ARIA) could in 2025 be viewed on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

art therapist means a person who is registered with the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association as a Creative Art Therapist.

assistance dog means a dog that is an assistance animal within the meaning of the Disability Discrimination Act 1992.

AT‑HM List means the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications list published by the Department, as existing on 1 November 2025.

Note: The AT‑HM List could in 2025 be viewed on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

audiologist means a person who:

 (a) is both:

 (i) a full member of Audiology Australia; and

 (ii) certified by Audiology Australia as an accredited audiologist; or

 (b) is a full or ordinary member, or fellow audiologist, of the Australian College of Audiology incorporating the Hearing Aid Audiology Society of Australia with a certificate of recognition of competency, issued by that College, as both a hearing rehabilitation specialist and a diagnostic rehabilitation specialist.

audited income and expenditure report, for a registered provider, means the report required under section 166‑640.

Australian accounting standards means the accounting standards in force under section 334 of the Corporations Act 2001.

Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care means the Commission established by subsection 8(1) of the National Health Reform Act 2011.

Australia New Zealand Food Standards Code has the same meaning as in the Food Standards Australia New Zealand Act 1991.

Australian Privacy Principle has the same meaning as in the Privacy Act 1988.

banning orders register means the register of banning orders established and maintained under section 507 of the Act.

Barthel Index means the questions used in the Barthel Index of Activities of Daily Living set out in Collin C, Wade DT, Davies S, Horne V. The Barthel ADL Index: a reliability study. Int Disabil Stud. 1988;10(2):61‑3. doi: 10.3109/09638288809164103. PMID: 3403500.

Note: The Barthel Index could in 2026 be viewed in the Quality Indicator Program Manual on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

base interest rate, on a day in a month, means the rate (expressed as a percentage) that is the sum of the following:

 (a) the below threshold rate on the first day of the month;

 (b) 2%.

below threshold rate, on a day, means the below threshold rate under subsection 1082(1) of the Social Security Act on the day.

Braden activity score, for an individual, means the individual’s score for activity on the Braden Scale assessment item of the AN‑ACC Assessment Tool.

Braden total score, for an individual, means the individual’s total score on the Braden Scale assessment item of the AN‑ACC Assessment Tool.

building status amount, for an individual for a day: see subsection 230‑15(1).

calculation day, for a quarter, means the 15th day of the calendar month before the calendar month in which the quarter begins.

care minute: a minute is a care minute if it is spent delivering direct care, other than the following:

 (a) the planning or delivery of activities to a group of individuals;

 (b) the provision or maintenance of aids, appliances or equipment.

care minutes performance statement, for a registered provider, means the statement required by section 166‑335.

Category A residential care home means an approved residential care home that, immediately before the transition time, was a multi‑purpose service (within the meaning of section 104 of the Subsidy Principles 2014) that was a Category A service within the meaning of section 88 of the Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Determination 2014.

Category B residential care home means an approved residential care home that, immediately before the transition time, was a multi‑purpose service (within the meaning of section 104 of the Subsidy Principles 2014) that was a Category B service within the meaning of section 89 of the Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Determination 2014.

Category C residential care home means an approved residential care home that, immediately before the transition time, was a multi‑purpose service (within the meaning of section 104 of the Subsidy Principles 2014) that was a Category C service within the meaning of section 90 of the Aged Care (Subsidy, Fees and Payments) Determination 2014.

Category D residential care home means an approved residential care home that is not a Category A residential care home, Category B residential care home or Category C residential care home.

certified practicing nutritionist means a person who is registered with the Australasian Association and Register of Practicing Nutritionists as a Certified Practicing Nutritionist.

chemical restraint: see subsection 17‑5(2).

child safety compliance statement, for a registered provider, means the statement required by section 166‑628.

CHSP is short for the program known as the Commonwealth Home Support Program.

CHSP contribution: see subsection 286‑15(1).

compensation has the same meaning as in the Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995.

compensation payer has the same meaning as in the Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995.

complainant: see subsection 361‑10(1).

complaint determination has the same meaning as in paragraph 361(1A)(d) of the Act.

compliance report, for a registered provider, means the report required under section 166‑620.

conditionally included AT‑HM item means a product, item of equipment or home modification:

 (a) that is listed in the part of the AT‑HM List headed “Conditional inclusions”; and

 (b) that is not an excluded AT‑HM item.

conditionally included communication and information management item means a product or item of equipment:

 (a) that is listed in the part of the AT‑HM List headed “Conditional inclusions” under “Communication and information management”; and

 (b) that is not an excluded AT‑HM item.

conditionally included domestic life item means a product or item of equipment:

 (a) that is listed in the part of the AT‑HM List headed “Conditional inclusions” under “Domestic life”; and

 (b) that is not an excluded AT‑HM item.

consecutive unplanned weight loss, in relation to unplanned weight loss, means a decrease in the weight of an individual of any amount, as determined by comparing the weight of an individual from the finishing weight of the previous quarter against the starting weight, middle weight and finishing weight for the current quarter.

Consumer Experience Assessment means an assessment using the Quality‑of‑Care Experience questions.

contact includes physical contact, face‑to‑face contact, oral communication, written communication and electronic communication.

continuing service delivery branch: see subsection 263A‑5(1).

continuity of care plan: see section 149‑75.

Co‑operatives National Law means the Law set out in the appendix to the Co‑operatives (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012 (NSW), and applying in a State or Territory under the following:

 (a) Co‑operatives (Adoption of National Law) Act 2012 (NSW);

 (b) Co‑operatives National Law Application Act 2013 (Vic.);

 (c) Co‑operatives National Law Act 2020 (Qld);

 (d) Co‑operatives National Law (South Australia) Act 2013 (SA);

 (e) Co‑operatives National Law (Tasmania) Act 2015 (Tas.);

 (f) Co‑operatives National Law (ACT) Act 2017 (ACT);

 (g) Co‑operatives (National Uniform Legislation) Act 2015 (NT).

counsellor means a person who:

 (a) is registered as a registered counsellor with:

 (i) the Australian Counselling Association; or

 (ii) the Psychotherapy and Counselling Federation of Australia; and

 (b) has a qualification covered by level 7, 8, 9 or 10 of the Australian Qualifications Framework (within the meaning of the Higher Education Support Act 2003).

counted mainstream individual: see subsection 176‑15(5).

counted NATSIFACP individual: see subsection 176‑35(5).

current wait time, for the allocation of a place for a classification type for a service group to an individual, on a day (the current day) before the place is allocated to the individual, means the time starting at the time the individual’s access approval for the classification type for the service group was given and ending at the end of the day before the current day.

daily remaining income amount, for an individual for a day: see subsection 231‑17(5).

daily total essential expenses, for an individual for a day: see subsection 231‑17(4).

DAP index number, for an indexation day: see section 302‑15.

day of eligible residential funded aged care services: see subsection 239‑15(4).

day of recognised residential care: see subsections 176‑20(4) and (5).

DEMMI score, for an individual, means the individual’s total score on the De Morton Mobility Index assessment item.

De Morton Mobility Index assessment item means the De Morton Mobility Index assessment item of the AN‑ACC Assessment Tool.

dietitian means a person who is accredited by Dietitians Australia as an Accredited Practising Dietitian.

disruptiveness score, for an individual, means the individual’s score for verbally disruptive or noisy behaviour on the Behaviour Resource Utilisation Assessment assessment item of the AN‑ACC Assessment Tool.

diverse cultural activities includes cultural activities for the following:

 (a) Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons;

 (b) individuals from culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse backgrounds;

 (c) individuals who are lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender or intersex or other sexual orientations, gender diverse or bodily diverse.

diverse individual, means an individual who is:

 (a) an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person, including an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander person from the stolen generations; or

 (b) a veteran or war widow; or

 (c) from a culturally, ethnically and linguistically diverse background; or

 (d) experiencing homelessness or at risk of experiencing homelessness; or

 (e) a parent or child who is or was separated by forced adoption or removal; or

 (f) an adult survivor of institutional child sexual abuse; or

 (g) a care‑leaver, including a Forgotten Australian or former child migrant placed in out of home care; or

 (h) lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans/transgender or intersex or other sexual orientations or is gender diverse or bodily diverse; or

 (i) an individual with disability or mental ill‑health; or

 (j) neurodivergent; or

 (k) deaf, deafblind, vision impaired or hard of hearing.

diversional therapist means a person who holds any of the following qualifications from a registered training organisation:

 (a) Certificate IV in Leisure and Health;

 (b) Diploma in Leisure and Health;

 (c) Bachelor of Health Science;

 (d) Bachelor of Applied Science with a major in:

 (i) Leisure and Health; or

 (ii) Therapeutic Recreation.

emergency department presentation means when an individual presents to an emergency department or an urgent care centre including where that presentation is in person or via a technology enabled platform.

end‑of‑life care means the care provided in what is sometimes referred to as the terminal phase of life, where death is imminent and likely to occur within 3 months.

environmental restraint: see subsection 17‑5(3).

excluded AT‑HM item means a product, item of equipment or home modification that is listed in the part of the AT‑HM List headed “Exclusions”.

exercise physiologist means a person who is accredited by Exercise & Sports Science Australia as an Accredited Exercise Physiologist.

extra service fee means an extra service fee under section 145 of the Aged Care (Consequential and Transitional Provisions) Rules 2025.

fall means an event that results in an individual coming to rest inadvertently on the ground, floor or other lower level.

fall resulting in major injury means a fall that results in one or more of the following:

 (a) bone fracture;

 (b) joint dislocation;

 (c) closed head injury with altered consciousness;

 (d) closed head injury with subdural haematoma.

fee reduction supplement daily threshold amount for a day means the amount obtained by rounding down to the nearest cent the amount equal to 15% of the basic age pension amount (worked out on a per day basis) for the day.

fee reduction supplement fortnightly threshold amount for a fortnight means the amount obtained by rounding down to the nearest cent the amount equal to 15% of the basic age pension amount (worked out on a per fortnight basis) for the fortnight.

financial support statement, for a registered provider, means the statement required by section 166‑315.

finishing weight, in relation to unplanned weight loss, means the weight of an individual recorded in the third month of a quarter.

first asset threshold: see subsection 319‑5(6).

first income threshold: see subsection 319‑5(2).

first subsidy year, for an approved residential care home and a registered provider, means the period of 12 months after the day the registered provider is first eligible for subsidy for the delivery (other than under a specialist aged care program) of a funded aged care service through the service group residential care to any individual in the approved residential care home.

formal agreement has the same meaning as in the old Act.

fortnightly base AT‑HM individual amount, for an individual for a fortnight: see subsection 197‑10(10).

fortnightly base home support individual amount, for an individual for a fortnight: see subsection 197‑10(9).

fortnightly base individual amount, for an individual for a fortnight: see subsection 197‑10(8).

fortnightly individual contribution cap, for an individual for a fortnight: see subsection 197‑10(7).

fortnightly remaining income amount, for an individual for a fortnight: see subsection 197‑10(6).

fortnightly total essential expenses, for an individual for a fortnight: see subsection 197‑10(4).

fortnightly total income amount, for an individual for a fortnight: see subsection 197‑10(5).

fourth asset threshold: see subsection 319‑5(9).

fourth income threshold: see subsection 319‑5(5).

general purpose financial report, for a registered provider, means the report required by section 166‑345.

genetic counsellor means a person who is registered with the Human Genetics Society of Australasia as a Certified Genetic Councillor.

Ghent Global Incontinence Associated Dermatitis Categorisation Tool means the Ghent Global IAD Categorisation Tool (GLOBIAD), version 1.0 (June 2017), developed by Skin Integrity Research Group, at Ghent University.

Note: The Ghent Global Incontinence Associated Dermatitis Categorisation Tool could in 2025 be viewed in the Quality Indicator Program Manual on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

giving day, for a financial support statement: see subsection 166‑320(3).

grant agreement means one or more grants of financial assistance to a registered provider for the delivery of funded aged care services entered into by the System Governor on behalf of the Commonwealth under section 264 of the Act.

group A residential care home, for a payment period: see subsection 239‑15(2).

group B residential care home, for a payment period: see subsection 239‑15(3).

has specialised Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status: an approved residential care home has specialised Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status on a day if a determination that the home has specialised Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander status under subsection 243(3) of the Act is in effect on the day.

has specialised homeless status: an approved residential care home has specialised homeless status on a day if a determination that the home has specialised homeless status under subsection 243(3) of the Act is in effect on the day.

health profession has the same meaning as in the National Law.

health professional means a person who is registered under the National Law in a health profession.

health service standards assessment: see subsection 109‑10(4).

higher cognitive ability: an individual who is mobile only with assistance has higher cognitive ability if the individual’s AFM cognition score is 22 or more.

higher everyday living agreement: see section 284 of the Act.

higher function: an individual who is not mobile has higher function if the individual’s RUG total score is 16 or less.

higher pressure sore risk: an individual who is not mobile has higher pressure sore risk if the individual’s Braden total score is 13 or less.

home or community fee reduction supplement determination, for an individual, means a determination made under section 197‑10 in relation to the individual (including as varied).

home or community place, for an approved residential care home of a registered provider in or from which the provider delivers funded aged care services through the service group home support, assistive technology or home modifications under the MPSP, means a place allocated to the registered provider for delivering those services in or from that home.

home support compounding factors: see section 81‑7.

home support functional independence score, for an individual, means the individual’s total score for the questions in the Integrated Assessment Tool with the following headings:

 (a) “Health literacy difficulties”;

 (b) “Get to places out of walking distance”;

 (c) “Does the client drive?”;

 (d) “Undertake housework (heavy/moderate)”;

 (e) “Go shopping (assuming transportation)”;

 (f) “Prepare meals”;

 (g) “Take medicine”;

 (h) “Handle money”;

 (i) “Use the telephone”;

 (j) “Use other communication device”;

 (k) “Use online services”;

 (l) “Walk”;

 (m) “Wheelchair mobility”;

 (n) “Climb stairs”;

 (o) “Take a bath or shower”;

 (p) “Dressing”;

 (q) “Grooming”;

 (r) “Eating”;

 (s) “Transfers”;

 (t) “Upper body strength”;

 (u) “Toilet use”;

 (v) “Toileting – bladder”;

 (w) “Toileting – bowels”.

home support needs met score, for an individual, means the individual’s total score for the questions in the Integrated Assessment Tool in the form “Is the need being met?”.

hospital admission means when an individual is accepted by a hospital inpatient speciality service for ongoing management, whether planned or unplanned and including an admission of any length and occurring in any location.

ICD‑10 Australian Modified Pressure Injury Classification System means the classification system contained in the International Statistical Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems, Tenth Revision, Australian Modification (ICD‑10‑AM), as published by the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority, and as existing on 1 November 2025.

Note: The ICD‑10‑AM could in 2025 be viewed on the website of the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (https://www.ihacpa.gov.au).

illness separated couple has the same meaning as in the Social Security Act.

in a service group: a funded aged care service is in a service group if the service is in a service type that is in the service group.

Note: See Part 3.

included AT‑HM item means a product, item of equipment or home modification:

 (a) that is listed in the part of the AT‑HM List headed “Inclusions”; and

 (b) that is not an excluded AT‑HM item.

included communication and information management item means a product or item of equipment:

 (a) that is listed in the part of the AT‑HM List headed “Inclusions” under “Communication and information management”; and

 (b) that is not an excluded AT‑HM item.

included domestic life item means a product or item of equipment:

 (a) that is listed in the part of the AT‑HM List headed “Inclusions” under “Domestic life”; and

 (b) that is not an excluded AT‑HM item.

included home modifications item means a product, item of equipment or home modification:

 (a) that is listed in the part of the AT‑HM List headed “Inclusions” under “Home modifications”; and

 (b) that is not an excluded AT‑HM item.

included managing body functions item means a product or item of equipment:

 (a) that is listed in the part of the AT‑HM List headed “Inclusions” under “Managing body functions”; and

 (b) that is not an excluded AT‑HM item.

included mobility item means a product or item of equipment:

 (a) that is listed in the part of the AT‑HM List headed “Inclusions” under “Mobility”; and

 (b) that is not an excluded AT‑HM item.

included self‑care item means a product or item of equipment:

 (a) that is listed in the part of the AT‑HM List headed “Inclusions” under “Self‑care”; and

 (b) that is not an excluded AT‑HM item.

income tested fee, for an individual in the pre‑2014 residential contribution class for a day: see subsection 285A‑13(1).

Note: For an individual in the pre‑2014 residential contribution class, the calculation of the daily means tested amount involves the individual’s income but not their assets (see section 319‑15).

Incontinence Associated Dermatitis means a type of irritant contact dermatitis characterised by erythema and oedema of the perianal or genital skin, and may be accompanied by bullae, erosion or secondary cutaneous infection.

Note: This definition is consistent with the Ghent Global Incontinence Associated Dermatitis Categorisation Tool.

independently mobile: an individual is independently mobile if the individual’s DEMMI score is 13 or more.

index number, for a quarter, means the All Groups Consumer Price Index number (being the weighted average of the 8 capital cities) published by the Australian Statistician for that quarter.

individual nominee: see subsection 6‑15(2).

individual’s room, in an approved residential care home:

 (a) means a room, or a part of a room, in the home that:

 (i) is intended to be occupied as personal space by an individual to whom funded aged care services are delivered in the home; and

 (ii) contains a bed to be used by the individual; and

 (b) includes:

 (i) the areas that are in the immediate vicinity of the bed in the room or the part of the room; and

 (ii) the contents of the room or the part of the room; and

 (iii) an ensuite, or a shared bathroom and toilet, that is for the use of the individual.

Injune means the Injune Multi‑Purpose Service, 7 Fifth Avenue, Injune Queensland 4454.

Integrated Assessment Tool means the Integrated Assessment Tool published by the Department, as existing on 29 June 2026.

Note: The Integrated Assessment Tool could in 2026 be viewed on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module means the Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module published by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care, as existing on 30 June 2025.

Note: The Integrated Health and Aged Care Services Module could in 2025 be viewed on the website of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au).

judgment has the same meaning as in the Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995.

key personnel of a person or body to which the Grantee Code of Conduct applies means:

 (a) if the person or body is a registered provider—a responsible person of the registered provider;

 (b) if the body is not a registered provider—any person who:

 (i) is responsible for the executive decisions of the person or body; or

 (ii) has authority or responsibility for (or significant influence over) planning, directing, operating or controlling the activities of the person or body.

Note: For responsible person of a registered provider, see section 12 of the Act.

local region means an aged care planning region specified in the document titled 2018 Aged Care Planning Regions by Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) 2016 ‑ Australia published by the Department, as existing on the day this instrument commences.

Note: The document titled 2018 Aged Care Planning Regions by Statistical Areas Level 2 (SA2) 2016 ‑ Australia could in 2025 be viewed on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

lower cognitive ability: an individual who is mobile only with assistance has lower cognitive ability if the individual’s AFM cognition score is 10 or less.

lower function: an individual who is not mobile has lower function if the individual’s RUG total score is 17 or more.

lower pressure sore risk: an individual who is not mobile has lower pressure sore risk if the individual’s Braden total score is 14 or more.

low means individual: an individual to whom a registered provider is delivering funded aged care services for a classification type for the service group residential care is a low means individual if, on the start day for the individual for the classification type, the individual’s means tested amount was less than the maximum accommodation supplement amount for that day.

low means resident: see section 230‑13.

low means resident percentage: see 230‑13.

maximum daily amount of the transitional resident contribution: see subsection 285A‑10(1).

maximum permissible interest rate for a day, means the maximum rate for the day worked out in accordance with section 301‑5.

maximum possible daily accommodation payment amount for an individual for a day: see step 3 of the method statement in subsection 296‑5(3).

means tested care fee, for an individual in the post‑2014 residential contribution class: see subsection 285A‑14(1).

means testing class: each of the following is a means testing class:

 (a) full‑pensioner;

 (b) part‑pensioner;

 (c) seniors health card holder;

 (d) self‑funded retiree.

mechanical restraint: see subsection 17‑5(4).

medical or psychological treatment, in relation to a priority 1 reportable incident under section 165A‑25, means treatment that may only be provided by a medical practitioner, nurse practitioner, registered nurse, psychologist or social worker.

medical practitioner has the same meaning as in the National Law.

medical treatment authority, for an individual (the individual concerned), means an individual or body that, under an appointment in writing that is in effect under the law of the State or Territory in which the individual concerned accesses funded aged care services, can give informed consent to the provision of medical treatment (however described) to the individual concerned if the individual concerned lacks capacity to give that consent.

medication, in relation to medication management, means a chemical substance given with the intention of preventing, diagnosing, curing, controlling or alleviating disease or otherwise enhancing the physical or mental health of an individual.

medium cognitive ability: an individual who is mobile only with assistance has medium cognitive ability if the individual’s AFM cognition score is between 11 and 21 (inclusive).

member of a couple has the same meaning as in the Social Security Act.

merging service delivery branch: see subsection 263A‑5(1).

middle weight, in relation to unplanned weight loss, means the weight of an individual recorded in the second month of a quarter.

minimum monetary spend amount, for an approved residential care home that has been, or is proposed to be, significantly refurbished, means the amount worked out by multiplying $25,000 by 40% of the lower of:

 (a) the total number of individual’s rooms in the home before the commencement of the refurbishment; and

 (b) the total number of individual’s rooms in the home after the completion of the refurbishment.

mobile only with assistance: an individual is mobile only with assistance if the individual’s DEMMI score is between 4 and 12 (inclusive).

Modified Monash Model means the model known as the Modified Monash Model developed by the Department for categorising metropolitan, regional, rural and remote locations according to both geographical remoteness and population size, based on population data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics, as the model exists from time to time.

Note: In 2025, the Modified Monash Model categorisation for a location could be viewed on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

monthly performance report, for a registered provider, means the report required under section 166‑610.

MPSP is short for Multi‑Purpose Service Program.

MRC Act means the Military Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 2004.

music therapist means a person who is registered with the Australian Music Therapy Association as a Registered Music Therapist.

national efficient price: the national efficient price for residential care activity is $295.64.

National Law has the same meaning as in the Health Insurance Act 1973.

National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards means the standards of that name developed by the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care under paragraph 9(1)(e) of the National Health Reform Act 2011, as existing on 31 May 2021.

Note: The National Safety and Quality Health Service Standards could in 2025 be viewed on the website of the Australian Commission on Safety and Quality in Health Care (https://www.safetyandquality.gov.au).

NATSIFACP is short for the program known as the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Flexible Aged Care Program.

NDIS screening application means a screening application within the meaning of paragraph 181Y(5)(a) of the NDIS Act.

newly built home: see section 230‑20.

nominated entity: see subsection 95‑5(1).

non‑subscription service means a funded aged care service that is not in a subscription service type.

non‑subscription service type means a service type that is not a subscription service type.

no‑show circumstances: see subsections 11A‑5(3) and (4).

not mobile: an individual is not mobile if the individual’s DEMMI score is 3 or less.

nurse practitioner has the same meaning as in the Health Insurance Act 1973.

NWAU (short for National Weighted Activity Unit) means a measure of residential care activity, expressed as a common unit, against which the national efficient price is set.

occupational therapist means a person who is registered under the National Law in the occupational therapy profession.

occupied bed, for an approved residential care home on a day, means an operational bed for the home that is occupied by an individual to whom funded aged care services are delivered on the day.

offline bed, for an approved residential care home, means a bed covered by the approval of the home that is covered by a notice under section 167 of the Act given in accordance with section 167‑70 of this instrument.

old Act wait time, for an individual who, immediately before the transition time, was approved under section 22‑1 of the old Act as a recipient of home care but was not a prioritised home care recipient (within the meaning of the old Act), means the time starting at the time the individual’s approval as a recipient of home care was given and ending immediately before the transition time.

old Principles means Principles made under section 96‑1 of the old Act.

operational bed, for an approved residential care home, means a bed covered by the approval of the home that is not an offline bed for the home.

orthoptist means a person who is registered with the Australian Orthoptic Board.

orthotist means a person who:

 (a) is a certified member of the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association; and

 (b) is certified by that Association as a qualified orthotist.

pedorthist means a person who is registered with the Pedorthic Association of Australia as a Certified Pedorthist.

Pension Rate Calculator A means the Rate Calculator at the end of section 1064 of the Social Security Act.

permitted uses reconciliation has the meaning given by section 166‑325.

physical restraint: see subsection 17‑5(5).

physiotherapist means a person who is registered under the National Law in the physiotherapy profession.

police certificate, for a person, means:

 (a) a report about the person’s criminal conviction record prepared by:

 (i) the Australian Federal Police; or

 (ii) the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission; or

 (iii) an agency accredited by the Australian Criminal Intelligence Commission; or

 (iv) the police force or police service of a State or Territory; or

 (b) for a responsible person of a registered provider that delivers funded aged care services in South Australia, or an aged care worker delivering funded aged care services in South Australia—the screening check known as the Aged Care Sector Employment Check issued to the person by the Department administered by the Minister administering the Child Safety (Prohibited Persons) Act 2016 (SA).

polypharmacy, in relation to medication management, means the prescription of 9 or more medications to an individual.

post‑2014 flexible accommodation class: an individual is in the post‑2014 flexible accommodation class if:

 (a) the individual entered a flexible care service (within the meaning of the old Act) before the transition time; and

 (b) the approved provider of the service charged the individual an accommodation payment (within the meaning of the old Act); and

 (c) if, at the transition time, the individual is not accessing funded aged care services through the residential care service group under a specialist aged care program:

 (i) the individual has a transition break period; and

 (ii) the transition break period is not more than 28 days; and

 (d) since the transition time, the individual has not ceased accessing funded aged care services through the residential care service group under a specialist aged care program for a continuous period of more than 28 days.

post‑2014 home contribution class: an individual is in the post‑2014 home contribution class if, on 12 September 2024, the individual was approved as a recipient of home care (within the meaning of the old Act).

post‑2014 residential accommodation class: an individual is in the post‑2014 residential accommodation class if:

 (a) at the transition time, the individual is in the post‑2014 residential contribution class; and

 (b) since the transition time, the individual has not:

 (i) both:

 (A) elected, in the approved form, to cease being a member of the post‑2014 residential contribution class; and

 (B) ceased accessing funded aged care services in an approved residential care home and started accessing funded aged care services in another approved residential care home; or

 (ii) ceased accessing funded aged care services in an approved residential care home for a continuous period of more than 28 days.

post‑2014 residential contribution class: an individual is in the post‑2014 residential contribution class if the individual has not elected, in the approved form, to cease being a member of the class, and:

 (a) all of the following apply to the individual:

 (i) before the transition time, the individual entered residential care (within the meaning of the old Act) other than as a recipient of respite care (within the meaning of that Act) and other than residential care provided through a multi‑purpose service (within the meaning of the Subsidy Principles 2014);

 (ii) immediately before the transition time, the individual was not a continuing residential care recipient (within the meaning of the old Act);

 (iii) if, at the transition time, the individual is not accessing funded aged care services in an approved residential care home:

 (A) the individual has a transition break period; and

 (B) the transition break period is not more than 28 days; or

 (b) all of the following apply to the individual:

 (i) the individual is a member of the post‑2014 home contribution class at the transition time;

 (ii) the individual has entered residential care after the transition time;

 (iii) the individual has not elected, in the approved form, to cease being a member of the post‑2014 home contribution class.

pre‑2014 accommodation class: an individual is in the pre‑2014 accommodation class at a particular time (the test time) that is on or after the transition time if:

 (a) immediately before the transition time, any of the following agreements were in effect for the individual:

 (i) a formal agreement (within the meaning of the old Act);

 (ii) an accommodation bond agreement (within the meaning of the Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997);

 (iii) an accommodation charge agreement (within the meaning of the Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997); or

 (b) all of the following apply to the individual:

 (i) immediately before the transition time, an agreement of a kind mentioned in paragraph (a) was not in effect for the individual;

 (ii) at the transition time, the individual was not accessing funded aged care services in an approved residential care home, but had previously received residential care through a residential care service (within the meaning of the old Act), and the most recent agreement of any kind under the old Act that had been in effect for the individual was an agreement of a kind mentioned in paragraph (a);

 (iii) at the test time, the individual has a transition break period and the transition break period is not more than 28 days; or

 (c) both of the following apply to the individual:

 (i) immediately before the transition time, an agreement of a kind mentioned in subparagraph (a)(ii) or (iii) was not in effect for the individual, but the individual was eligible under the old Act to enter into such an agreement;

 (ii) at the transition time, the individual was accessing funded aged care services in an approved residential care home;

unless, before the test time, the individual:

 (d) had ceased accessing funded aged care services in an approved residential care home (the first home); and

 (e) had started accessing funded aged care services in another approved residential care home (the second home); and

 (f) had elected in the approved form, before starting to access funded aged care services in the second home, to cease being a member of the pre‑2014 residential contribution class.

pre‑2014 maximum permissible interest rate: see section 287‑165.

pre‑2014 minimum permissible asset value: see subsection 287‑45(3).

pre‑2014 residential contribution class: an individual is in the pre‑2014 residential contribution class if:

 (a) immediately before the transition time, the individual was a continuing residential care recipient (within the meaning of the old Act); and

 (b) if, at the transition time, the individual is not accessing funded aged care services in an approved residential care home:

 (i) the individual has a transition break period; and

 (ii) the transition break period is not more than 28 days; and

 (c) the individual has not elected, in the approved form, to cease being a member of the class.

pressure injury means a localised injury to the skin or underlying tissue, or both, usually over a bony prominence as a result of pressure, shear or a combination of these factors.

previous weight, in relation to unplanned weight loss by an individual in a quarter, means the individual’s finishing weight for the previous quarter.

price agreement day, for an individual and an approved residential care home, means:

 (a) the day on which the registered provider for the approved residential care home and the individual enter into an accommodation agreement for the approved residential care home in accordance with section 293 of the Act; or

 (b) if the accommodation agreement between the registered provider for the approved residential care home and the individual is varied because the individual proposes to change the individual’s room and the proposed move is voluntary—the day on which the accommodation agreement is varied in relation to the individual’s room; or

 (c) if the individual is notified by the registered provider for the approved residential care home that the individual’s room is to be changed for 28 days or longer, and the proposed move is not voluntary—the day on which the notice is given.

Pricing Authority advice activity means an activity mentioned in paragraph 131A(1)(c) of the National Health Reform Act 2011 conducted for the purpose of performing a function mentioned in paragraph 131A(1)(a) of that Act.

principal home has the meaning given by section 11A of the Social Security Act other than subsections 11A(8) and (9) of that Act (which deal with the effect of absences from the principal home).

Note: An individual’s principal home may be in a retirement village (see section 12 of the Social Security Act).

priority 1 notice: see section 165A‑25.

priority 1 reportable incident: see section 165A‑25.

priority 2 notice: see section 165A‑30.

priority 2 reportable incident: see section 165A‑30.

priority category waiting proportion, for a priority category for a classification type for the service group home support on a day, means the number of waiting individuals who have that priority category for the classification type for the service group divided by the total number of waiting individuals for all priority categories for the classification type for the service group on the day.

prosthetist means a person who:

 (a) is a certified member of the Australian Orthotic Prosthetic Association; and

 (b) is certified by that Association as a qualified prosthetist.

qualifying residential care home, for a payment period: see subsection 239‑15(1).

quality indicators report, for a registered provider, means the report required by Subdivision B of Division 3 of Part 2 of Chapter 5.

Quality‑of‑Care Experience questions means the questions in the Quality of Care Experience Aged Care Consumers (QCE‑ACC) Tool (2020) developed by Flinders University, as existing on 20 March 2026.

Note: The Quality‑of‑Care Experience questions could in 2026 be viewed in the Quality Indicator Program Manual on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

Quality of Life Assessment means an assessment using the Quality of Life questions.

Quality of Life questions means the questions in the Quality of Life Aged Care Consumers (QOL‑ACC) Tool (2021) developed by Flinders University, as existing on 20 March 2026.

Note: The Quality of Life questions could in 2026 be viewed in the Quality Indicator Program Manual on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

quarterly financial report, for a registered provider, means the report required by section 166‑340.

queue rate means:

 (a) for the priority category high for the classification type ongoing for the service group home support—0.25; or

 (b) for the priority category medium for the classification type ongoing for the service group home support—1.5; or

 (c) for the priority category standard for the classification type ongoing for the service group home support—2.

recreational therapist means a person who is a certified member of the Australian Recreational Therapy Association.

reduced daily amount of the resident contribution, for an individual for a day: see subsection 231‑17(7).

reference period, for a quarter, has the meaning given by subsection 176‑20(6).

refunding event means:

 (a) in relation to the refund of a refundable deposit balance—an event referred to in paragraph 311(1)(a) or (b) of the Act; or

 (b) in relation to the refund of an accommodation bond balance—an event referred to in paragraph 287‑102(1)(a) or (b) of this instrument.

refund period means:

 (a) in relation to the refund of a refundable deposit balance—the period within which the refundable deposit balance must be refunded in accordance with section 311 of the Act; or

 (b) in relation to the refund of an accommodation bond balance—the period within which the accommodation bond balance must be refunded in accordance with section 287‑102 of this instrument.

refurbishment cost, for an approved residential care home that has been, or is proposed to be, significantly refurbished, means:

 (a) unless paragraph (b) applies—the total cost of the refurbishment or proposed refurbishment of the home; or

 (b) if the refurbishment or proposed refurbishment includes fire safety improvements, and the cost of the fire safety improvements is more than 25% of the minimum monetary spend amount for the home—the total cost of the refurbishment or proposed refurbishment, reduced by the amount by which the cost of the fire safety improvements exceeds 25% of the minimum monetary spend amount for the home.

registered health practitioner has the same meaning as in the National Law.

registered nurse staff member means a staff member of a registered provider who is a registered nurse.

registered training organisation has the same meaning as in the National Vocational Education and Training Regulator Act 2011.

rehabilitation counsellor means a person who is a member of the Australian Society of Rehabilitation Counsellors.

reimbursement arrangement has the same meaning as in the Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995.

remedial massage therapist means a person who holds either of the following qualifications from a registered training organisation:

 (a) a Diploma of Remedial Massage Therapy;

 (b) a Certificate IV in Massage Therapy.

required combined staff average number of care minutes, per individual per day in respect of an approved residential care home for a quarter: see subsection 176‑20(1).

required registered nurse average number of care minutes, per individual per day in respect of an approved residential care home for a quarter: see subsection 176‑20(2).

residential care compounding factors: see section 81‑8.

residential care fee reduction supplement determination, for an individual, means a determination made under subsection 231‑16(2) in relation to the individual (including as varied).

residential care place, for an approved residential care home of a registered provider in which the provider delivers funded aged care services through the service group residential care under the MPSP, means a place allocated to the registered provider for delivering those services in that home.

restorative care means an intensive short‑term period of care after an illness or injury to help an individual maintain or regain independence.

restorative care partner: see subsection 148‑40(4).

restrictive practices nominee: see subsection 6‑15(1).

restrictive practices substitute decision‑maker: see section 6‑20.

Rockwood frailty score, for an individual, means the individual’s score on the Rockwood Frailty Score assessment item of the AN‑ACC Assessment Tool.

RRMA Classification means the document titled Rural, Remote and Metropolitan Area Classification, as existing at the transition time, setting out certain categories of areas in Australia that have been determined by the Department by reference to population size and remoteness of locality on the basis of 1991 census data published by the Australian Bureau of Statistics in 1994.

Note: The RRMA Classification for a location could in 2025 be viewed on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

RUG total score, for an individual, means the individual’s total score on the Resource Utilisation Group ‑ Activities of Daily Living assessment item of the AN‑ACC Assessment Tool.

seclusion: see subsection 17‑5(6).

second asset threshold:

 (a) for an individual in the post‑2014 residential contribution class: see paragraph 319‑5(7)(a); or

 (b) in any other case: see paragraph 319‑5(7)(b).

second income threshold: see subsection 319‑5(3).

seniors health card has the same meaning as in the Social Security Act.

serious offence conviction: a person has a serious offence conviction if the person has been:

 (a) convicted of murder or sexual assault; or

 (b) convicted of, and sentenced to imprisonment for, any other form of assault.

service activity report, for a registered provider, means the report required under section 166‑645.

service delivery report, for a registered provider, means the report required under section 166‑625.

service demographics report, for a registered provider, means the report required under section 166‑735.

settlement has the same meaning as in the Health and Other Services (Compensation) Act 1995.

significant compounding factors:

 (a) for a classification assessment for an individual for a classification type for the service group home support—the individual has significant compounding factors if the home support compounding factors for the individual, considered together, indicate that the individual has significantly higher care needs relative to the needs of other individuals with similar home support functional independence scores and home support needs met scores; and

 (b) for a classification assessment for an individual for the classification type ongoing for the service group residential care—an individual mentioned in an item of the table in section 81‑8 has significant compounding factors if the residential care compounding factors for the individual, considered together, indicate that the individual has significantly higher care needs relative to the needs of other individuals mentioned in that item.

significantly refurbished home means an approved residential care home in relation to which a determination under subsection 230‑30(1) or 230‑35(1) is in effect.

significant unplanned weight loss, in relation to unplanned weight loss, means a decrease in the weight of an individual that is equal to or greater than 5%, as determined by comparing the finishing weight of the previous quarter against the finishing weight for the current quarter.

Social Security Act means the Social Security Act 1991.

social worker means a person who is certified by the Australian Association of Social Workers as an Accredited Social Worker.

sonographer means a person who is registered with the Australian Sonographer Accreditation Registry as an Accredited Medical Sonographer.

specialist Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander programs means specialist programs for Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons and includes, but is not limited to, the following:

 (a) programs to deliver care and services that are culturally safe for, and tailored to meet the particular needs of, the Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons to whom funded aged care services are being delivered in the approved residential care home in question;

 (b) programs to promote social and cultural engagement and participation of Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander persons.

specialist aged care program fee: see subsection 286‑10(1).

specialist homeless programs means specialist programs for persons with a background as a homeless person and includes, but is not limited to, the following:

 (a) programs and interventions to manage complex behavioural needs of persons with that background;

 (b) programs to promote social engagement and participation of persons with that background.

speech pathologist means a person who is certified by Speech Pathology Australia as a Certified Practising Speech Pathologist.

standing higher everyday living agreement: see section 284‑2.

starting weight, in relation to unplanned weight loss, means the weight of an individual recorded in the first month of a quarter.

Statement of Accounting Concepts SAC 1 means Statement of Accounting Concepts SAC 1 “Definition of the Reporting Entity” published by the Australian Accounting Standards Board, as existing on 6 March 2020.

Note: The Statement of Accounting Concepts SAC 1 could in 2025 be viewed on the website of the Australian Accounting Standards Board (https://www.aasb.gov.au).

subscription service means a funded aged care service in a subscription service type.

subscription service type means any of the following service types:

 (a) subscription allied health and therapy;

 (b) subscription domestic assistance;

 (c) subscription home maintenance and repairs;

 (d) subscription home or community general respite;

 (e) subscription meals;

 (f) subscription nursing care;

 (g) subscription personal care;

 (h) subscription social support and community engagement;

 (i) subscription therapeutic services for independent living;

 (j) subscription transport.

supported individual: an individual is a supported individual if, immediately before the transition time, the individual was a supported resident within the meaning of the Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997.

surplus and uncommitted funds, for a registered provider and a financial year, means financial assistance the System Governor, on behalf of the Commonwealth, has granted the registered provider in the financial year relating to the same or similar activities and that are:

 (a) surplus and uncommitted; and

 (b) confirmed by provided financial statements.

target classification type wait time: see section 93‑14.

target priority category wait time, for a priority category for a classification type for the service group home support on a day, means:

 (a) for the priority category urgent—1 month; or

 (b) for the priority category high, medium or standard—the result of multiplying the wait time factor on the day by the queue rate for the priority category.

TCP is short for Transition Care Program.

third asset threshold: see subsection 319‑5(8).

third income threshold: see subsection 319‑5(4).

transitional agreed amount: see subsection 285A‑25(2).

transitional basic daily fee: see subsection 285A‑11(1).

transitional bed reservation fee: see subsection 285A‑20(1).

transitional compensation payment fee: see subsection 285A‑10(2).

transitional higher everyday living agreement: see subsection 285A‑25(2).

transitional higher everyday living fee: see subsection 285A‑25(1).

transitional pre‑entry fee: see subsection 285A‑15(1).

transitional pre‑entry period: see subsection 285A‑15(1).

transitional resident contribution: see subsection 285A‑5(1).

transition break period, for an individual, means the sum of:

 (a) the number of days in a continuous period that ended immediately before the transition time during which the individual was not being provided with residential care through a residential care service (within the meaning of the old Act) other than because the person was on leave (within the meaning of that Act); and

 (b) the number of days in a continuous period beginning at the transition time during which the individual was not accessing funded aged care services in an approved residential care home.

The period mentioned in paragraph (a) and the period mentioned in paragraph (b) must each be a period of at least one day.

unavoidable service cost: see subsections 284‑11(16) and (17).

unplanned weight loss means:

 (a) significant unplanned weight loss; or

 (b) consecutive unplanned weight loss.

unrealisable asset has the meaning given by subsections 11(12) and (13) of the Social Security Act.

unreduced daily amount of the resident contribution, for an individual for a day: see subsection 231‑17(6).

unreduced individual contribution, for the delivery of a funded aged care service to an individual on a day, means the amount that would be the individual contribution for the delivery of the service to the individual on the day if step 4 in the method statement in subsection 273(2) of the Act were disregarded.

veteran means a person:

 (a) who is taken to have rendered eligible war service under section 7 of the Veterans’ Entitlements Act; or

 (b) in respect of whom a pension is payable under subsection 13(6) of that Act; or

 (c) who is:

 (i) a member of the Forces within the meaning of subsection 68(1) of that Act; or

 (ii) a member of a Peacekeeping Force within the meaning of that subsection; or

 (d) who is:

 (i) a member within the meaning of the MRC Act; or

 (ii) a former member within the meaning of that Act; or

 (e) who is an employee within the meaning of the Safety, Rehabilitation and Compensation Act 1988.

Note: The Acts mentioned in paragraphs (d) and (e) provide that, in some cases:

(a) a member of the Forces, or a member of a Peacekeeping Force, includes a person who is no longer serving; and

(b) an employee includes a person who has ceased to be an employee.

Veterans’ Entitlements Act means the Veterans’ Entitlements Act 1986.

waiting individual, for a priority category for a classification type for a service group on a day, means an individual who:

 (a) has an access approval in effect for the classification type for the service group; and

 (b) has been assigned the priority category for the classification type for the service group; and

 (c) has not been allocated a place for the classification type for the service group.

wait time factor: see section 93‑13.

6‑5  References to actions taken or statements given

  In this instrument, a reference to an action taken or a statement given by one of the following persons is a reference to such actions or statements that are within the person’s professional scope of practice:

 (a) an allied health assistant;

 (b) an allied health professional;

 (c) a diversional therapist;

 (d) a registered health practitioner;

 (e) a remedial massage therapist.

6‑15  Nominating restrictive practices nominees

 (1) Restrictive practices nominee, for a restrictive practice in relation to an individual, means:

 (a) if there is only a single individual nominee for the restrictive practice in relation to the individual—that individual nominee; or

 (b) if there is only a nominee group for the restrictive practice in relation to the individual—that nominee group; or

 (c) if there is more than one individual nominee, or a nominee group and one or more individual nominees, for the restrictive practice in relation to the individual—the individual nominee or nominee group (as applicable) that takes precedence (see paragraph (9)(a)).

 (2) Individual nominee, for a restrictive practice in relation to an individual (the individual concerned), means an individual:

 (a) who has been nominated by the individual concerned, in accordance with this section, as an individual who can give informed consent to the use of the restrictive practice in relation to the individual concerned if the individual concerned lacks capacity to give that consent; and

 (b) who has agreed, in writing, to the nomination (and has not withdrawn that agreement); and

 (c) who has capacity to give the informed consent mentioned in paragraph (a).

 (3) Nominee group, for a restrictive practice in relation to an individual (the individual concerned), means a group of individuals:

 (a) who have been nominated by the individual concerned, in accordance with this section, as a group of individuals who can jointly give informed consent to the use of the restrictive practice in relation to the individual concerned if the individual concerned lacks capacity to give that consent; and

 (b) each of whom has agreed, in writing, to the nomination (and has not withdrawn that agreement); and

 (c) each of whom has capacity to give the informed consent mentioned in paragraph (a).

 (4) An individual may make, vary or revoke a nomination only if the individual concerned has capacity to do so.

 (5) A nomination, or a variation or revocation of a nomination, must be made in writing.

 (6) A nomination (or varied nomination) of a group may nominate not more than 3 individuals as members of the group.

 (7) A nomination (or varied nomination) may include only one nomination of a group.

 (8) An individual may be nominated as an individual, or as a member of a group, but not both.

 (9) If a nomination (or a varied nomination) nominates more than one individual nominee, or both one or more individual nominees and a nominee group, the nomination (or varied nomination) must:

 (a) state the order of precedence in which the individual nominees and nominee group (as applicable) are nominated; and

 (b) if a nominee group is nominated—state the rules that will apply if the members of the group cannot agree on whether to give informed consent as mentioned in paragraph (3)(a) in a particular case.

 (10) An individual (the individual concerned) may nominate, as an individual or a member of a group, an aged care worker of a registered provider that is delivering funded aged care services to the individual concerned only if the aged care worker is the partner or a relative of the individual concerned.

6‑20  Meaning of restrictive practices substitute decision‑maker

 (1) An individual or body is the restrictive practices substitute decision‑maker for a restrictive practice in relation to an individual (the individual concerned) if:

 (a) the individual or body is appointed by the law of the State or Territory in which the individual concerned accesses funded aged care services as an individual or body that can give informed consent to the use of the restrictive practice in relation to the individual concerned if the individual concerned lacks capacity to give that consent; or

 (b) under an appointment in writing that is in effect under the law of the State or Territory in which the individual concerned accesses funded aged care services, the individual or body can give informed consent to the use of the restrictive practice in relation to the individual concerned if the individual concerned lacks capacity to give that consent.

 (2) The following table has effect if:

 (a) there is no such individual or body appointed for the restrictive practice in relation to the individual concerned under the law of the State or Territory in which the individual concerned accesses funded aged care services; and

 (b) either:

 (i) there is no clear mechanism for appointing such an individual or body under the law of the State or Territory; or

 (ii) an application has been made for an appointment under the law of the State or Territory in relation to the use of the restrictive practice in relation to the individual concerned, but there is a significant delay in deciding the application.

 (3) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of column 1 of item 3 of the table in subsection (2), a person was an unpaid carer for the individual concerned if:

 (a) the person was not employed, hired, retained or contracted (whether directly or through an employment or recruiting agency) as a carer for the individual concerned; and

 (b) no payment or benefit other than one or more of the following was or will be made or given to the person for being a carer for the individual concerned:

 (i) a carer payment or equivalent benefit;

 (ii) payment in kind;

 (iii) a payment or benefit as a beneficiary under the will of the individual concerned.

 (4) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of column 1 of item 3 of the table and paragraph (a) of column 1 of item 4 of the table in subsection (2), a person has a personal interest in the welfare of the individual concerned on an unpaid basis if:

 (a) the person is not employed, hired, retained or contracted (whether directly or through an employment or recruiting agency) to have that interest; and

 (b) no payment or benefit other than one or more of the following is or will be made or given to the person for having that interest:

 (i) a carer payment or equivalent benefit;

 (ii) payment in kind;

 (iii) a payment or benefit as a beneficiary under the individual’s will.

Division 2—Matters prescribed for definitions in section 7 of the Act

7‑1  Accommodation bond

  For the purposes of the definition of accommodation bond in section 7 of the Act, an accommodation bond means an amount that does not accrue daily and that is paid or payable by an individual in the pre‑2014 accommodation class in accordance with an accommodation bond agreement.

7‑2  Accommodation bond balance

  For the purposes of the definition of accommodation bond balance in section 7 of the Act, an accommodation bond balance is, at a particular time, an amount equal to the difference between:

 (a) an accommodation bond, other than:

 (i) an accommodation bond that is to be paid by periodic payment; or

 (ii) the part of an accommodation bond that is to be paid by periodic payment; and

 (b) the sum of any amounts that have been, or are permitted to be, deducted from the accommodation bond in accordance with Subdivision D of Division 3 of Part 2 of Chapter 9 of this instrument as at that time.

7‑3  Accommodation charge

  For the purposes of the definition of accommodation charge in section 7 of the Act, an accommodation charge means an amount that accrues daily and that is paid or payable by an individual in the pre‑2014 accommodation class in accordance with an accommodation charge agreement.

7‑8  Approved needs assessors

Approving entities

 (1) For the purposes of paragraph (a) of the definition of approved needs assessor in section 7 of the Act, the kind of entity is an entity specified in the document titled Single Assessment System assessment organisations by service area, region, state and territory, published by the Department, as existing on the day this instrument commences.

Note: The document titled Single Assessment System assessment organisations by service area, region, state and territory could in 2025 be viewed on the Department’s website (https://www.health.gov.au).

Criteria

 (2) For the purposes of paragraph (b) of the definition of approved needs assessor in section 7 of the Act, the criteria for a person are that the person is an individual who is employed or otherwise engaged by:

 (a) an entity (a prescribed entity) prescribed by subsection (1) of this section; or

 (b) an entity engaged by a prescribed entity.

Note: An individual engaged by an entity includes an independent contractor.

7‑11  Cost

  For the purposes of the definition of cost in section 7 of the Act, the cost for the delivery by a registered provider of a funded aged care service for which the subsidy basis is cost means the amount charged by the provider for the delivery of the service.

7‑12  Direct care

  For the purposes of the definition of direct care in section 7 of the Act, the following funded aged care services are prescribed:

 (a) the funded aged care services listed and described in items 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 and 7 of the table in section 8‑150 of this instrument;

 (b) the funded aged care services listed and described in items 3, 4, 5 and 6 of the table in section 8‑155 of this instrument.

7‑13  Entry contribution

  For the purposes of the definition of entry contribution in section 7 of the Act, an entry contribution means a payment that was made before 1 October 1997 by an individual in the pre‑2014 accommodation class in accordance with a formal agreement.

7‑14  Entry contribution balance

  For the purposes of the definition of entry contribution balance in section 7 of the Act, an entry contribution balance is, at a particular time, an amount equal to the difference between:

 (a) the amount of an entry contribution; and

 (b) the sum of any amounts that have been, or are permitted to be, deducted from the entry contribution in accordance with a formal agreement as at that time.

7‑17  Entry day

 (1) This section is made for the purposes of the definition of entry day in section 7 of the Act.

Classification type ongoing

 (2) The first day an individual accesses a funded aged care service for the classification type ongoing through a service group is the entry day for the individual for that classification type for that service group.

Classification type short‑term for the service groups home support, assistive technology and home modifications

 (3) The first day an individual accesses a funded aged care service for a classification level for the classification type short‑term for the service group home support, assistive technology or home modifications is the entry day for the individual for the period of effect for that classification level.

Classification type short‑term for the service group residential care

 (4) The first day an individual accesses a funded aged care service for the classification type short‑term for the service group residential care is the entry day for the individual for that classification type for that service group.

Classification type hospital transition

 (5) The first day an individual accesses a funded aged care service for a classification level for the classification type hospital transition for a service group is the entry day for the individual for the period of effect for that classification level.

7‑19  Homeowner

  For the purposes of the definition of homeowner in section 7 of the Act:

 (a) an individual who is not a member of a couple is a homeowner if:

 (i) the individual has a right or interest in the individual’s principal home; and

 (ii) the individual’s right or interest in the individual’s principal home gives the individual reasonable security of tenure in the home; and

 (b) an individual who is a member of a couple is a homeowner if:

 (i) the individual, or the individual’s partner, has a right or interest in one residence that is the individual’s principal home, or the partner’s principal home, or the principal home of both of them; and

 (ii) the individual’s right or interest, or the partner’s right or interest, in the home gives the individual, or the individual’s partner, reasonable security of tenure in the home.

7‑20  Lifetime cap

  For the purposes of the definition of lifetime cap in section 7 of the Act, the amount is:

 (a) unless paragraph (b) applies—$137,917.01; or

 (b) for an individual in the post‑2014 home contribution class or the post‑2014 residential contribution class—$86,185.23.

7‑21  Price charged

  For the purposes of the definition of price charged in section 7 of the Act, the price charged for the delivery by a registered provider of a funded aged care service means the amount charged by the provider for the delivery of the service.

7‑22  Serious injury or illness

  For the purposes of the definition of serious injury or illness in section 7 of the Act, each of the following is a serious injury or illness:

 (a) malnutrition;

 (b) dehydration.

7‑23  Service delivery branch

  For the purposes of the definition of service delivery branch in section 7 of the Act, a service delivery branch of a registered provider means a place of business of the registered provider through which the provider delivers funded aged care services to an individual through the service group home support, assistive technology or home modifications.

Part 3—Aged care service list

Division 1—Preliminary

8‑5  Aged care service list

  For the purposes of subsection 8(1) of the Act:

 (a) each service listed and described in an item of a table in a section of Division 2, 4, 6 or 8 of this Part is a service for which funding may be payable under the Act; and