Thank you to everyone who joined us, both in person and online, for the National Aged Care Provider Conference 2026.
This key national event was aimed at responsible persons of registered aged care providers – including board members, CEOs or senior managers.
The conference program included a rich mix of plenary and parallel sessions as we explored ‘Rights and choice, every day: one year in’. Together, we discussed what has changed in practice under the rights-based Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules 2025 and shared insights and learnings into how we continue to embed and regulate rights-based aged care across all settings.
The conference provided an opportunity to hear directly from the Commission, older people and other sector representatives. Delegates took part in practical discussions, and connected with sector colleagues from across Australia.
Photo and video highlights, along with recordings of all plenary and parallel sessions, will be available shortly.
Pre-conference workshops
- Risk management in aged care
Participants explored how the Commission assesses risk and shared insights on prioritising effort to build organisational maturity and effective governance. The workshop focused on the unique role of small and medium providers and the challenges they may face. Discussions covered proactive approaches to risk management and the links between governance and rights-based care.
Through practical examples and activities, participants examined data analysis, communication, and information sharing with older people and governing bodies. Attendees gained tools, ideas and resources to strengthen organisational resilience and support quality outcomes for older people, while connecting and learning from peers across the sector.
- Culturally safe care
Two workshops drew on best practice stories to support senior leaders in providing culturally safe, person-centred care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Social and emotional wellbeing in care delivery
Participants heard best practice stories and learned about tools and care models that support holistic, culturally safe care. The workshop explored the role of senior leaders in adopting and embedding culturally safe care practices.
The role of shared decision making
Participants heard best practice stories and learned about tools and care models that support holistic, culturally safe care. The workshop explored the role of senior leaders in adopting and embedding culturally safe care practices.
Panellists included:
• Jodi Cassar PSM, Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
• Mel Metz, Deputy Commissioner, Sector Capability and Regulatory Strategy, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
• Tiarnee Schafer, Project and Training Manager, Well Mob
• Clare Novak, Director of Communications, The Healing Foundation
• Marion Dwyer and Yasmin Muller, Senior Coordinators, Elder Care Support Network
• Reuben Jacob, Chief Executive Officer, Aged Care Research and Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA)
• David Follent, Associate Director, Agency for Clinical Innovation, NSW Health
• Matt Moore, Executive Director Aged Care, Institute of Urban Indigenous Health (IUIH)
Resources
Statement of Rights
Video: Statement of Rights and Code of Conduct under the new Aged Care Act video
Video: Statement of Rights – video for providers and workers
Dignity, choice, respect – your rights in aged care – public information program
Dignity, choice, respect - your rights in aged care – about the program
Dignity, choice, respect - provider and worker toolkit
Provider Registration
Forms for applications, requests and notifications
Video: Becoming a registered provider and renewing your registration
Video: Changing, suspending and revoking provider registration
Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards – guidance and resources
Audit
Audit Evidence Collection Tool - Registration
Audit Evidence Collection Tool - Renewal
Audit Evidence Collection Tool - Variation
Care Delivery Evidence Collection Tool - Care delivery location (Category 4 & 5)
Care Delivery Evidence Collection Tool - Residential (Category 6)
Renewal of registration audit guide
Variation of registration audit guide
Alis eLearning: Auditing the strengthened Quality Standards
Provider governance
Provider governance obligations overview
Notifying us of a change in circumstances
Financial and Prudential Standards
Financial and Prudential Standards: Guidance for providers
Fact sheet for older people on the new Financial and Prudential Standards
The new Financial and Prudential Standards - poster
Compliance and enforcement
Video: Your questions answered - Compliance
Video: Provider Supervision: What is means for you
Complaints handling
Better practice guide to complaints handling in aged care services
Do you have concerns about an aged care provider, worker or responsible person? Brochure
Do you have concerns about an aged care provider, worker or responsible person? Poster
Open disclosure
Open disclosure - rebuilding trust after something goes wrong
Open disclosure - poster and factsheet for older people
What is open disclosure - video
Incident reporting and SIRS
Effective serious incident investigations guidance for providers
Food, nutrition and dining
Food, nutrition and dining webpage for providers
Video: Getting the dining experience right - for residential aged care providers and workers
Video: An introduction to swallowing difficulties - for residential aged care providers and workers
Video: An introduction to oral health - for residential aged care providers and workers
Video: Food, nutrition, dining and dementia – for aged care providers and workers
Alis eLearning: Food, nutrition and dining Alis program
Department resources
Department of Health, Disability and Ageing New Aged Care Act resources
OPAN resources
Alis eLearning: Supported decision-making in aged care