National Aged Care Provider Conference 2026 program

PS1.1 - How do I renew or vary my registration?

In this workshop style session, we’ll answer your questions about renewing or varying your registration. Facilitated by the Registrar and senior decision makers, we’ll cover what you can expect process wise, what information you need to provide and what it will cost. Expect lots of practical advice, including how the Commission checks that applications are complete and what 'good' looks like.

PS1.2 - Early identification, assessment and support of changed behaviours: supporting older people with changed behaviours and the use of restrictive practices

Changed behaviours in older people can be complex. This session will explore the importance of effective clinical governance in the early identification, assessment and support of changed behaviours. This session will include the use of case studies to demonstrate practically how to implement best practice to support older people experiencing changed behaviours and the use of restrictive practices.

PS1.3 - Open disclosure: promoting transparency and restorative engagement in complaints and incident reporting

The Aged Care Act 2024 introduced changes for providers including increased obligations and accountability measures in line with the Statement of Rights. In this session, we will explore the role of open disclosure through case studies, key principles and practical guidance from a range of perspectives.

PS2.1 - Rights in action: governance under the new Aged Care Act

Good governance plays a critical role in making sure the rights of older people are upheld in practice. It shapes your culture, supports effective decision making and makes sure risks are identified and managed early. We’ll explore what effective governance looks like, including advisory bodies, financial and prudential oversight and discuss practical insights to help providers embed governance that is fit for purpose.

PS2.2 - Frailty: how effective clinical governance supports choice

 A key part of effective clinical governance in all aged care settings is having the right systems and processes in place to support and manage an older person’s frailty. It is central to best practice person-centred care, prevention of care-related harm and balancing competing rights. In this session we’ll discuss how frailty indicators can be effectively used to improve management of safety and quality risk and informed choice, with a focus on the Support at Home setting. 

PS2.3 - Improving incident reporting

This session will focus on how to turn incidents into opportunities for learning, open disclosure and restorative engagement. We will explore how to communicate learnings, strengthen governance oversight and ensure incidents lead to meaningful change. This session will also share practical approaches to how the Commission is seeking to improve reporting and draw out sector level insights to contribute to building provider capability.

CONFERENCE DINNER

Plaza Terrace Room, BCEC (Plaza Level)

PS3.1 - Audit in action: learnings, insights and leading practice under the new Act

Nearly a year after the introduction of the Aged Care Act 2024, early audits are providing insight into how providers are engaging with the Commission's new audit methodology and the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. Join the Commission and sector representatives as we discuss emerging themes and practical advice regarding the audit process.

PS3.2 - Allied health in aged care: challenges and opportunities

The integration of allied health into care models is critical for supporting older people’s right to safe, quality care of their choosing. The strengthened Quality Standards include requirements that highlight the important role allied health professionals play in supporting positive outcomes for older people’s health, wellbeing and quality of life. You will hear from allied health experts on their role and experiences in aged care, drawing on case studies and practical examples of how providers can optimise multidisciplinary care approaches with their workforce to best support older people.

PS3.3 - Handling complex complaints: managing challenging behaviour and complex personal dynamics in a rights-based framework

This session will draw on case studies and offer diverse perspectives on best practice management of complex and difficult complaints ensuring the rights of the older person are at the centre of resolution and complaint outcomes.

PS4.1 - Policy in practice: Compliance and enforcement at the Commission

This session will offer insight into how we approach compliance and enforcement, using examples to show how risk, intelligence, and regulatory tools come together in practice. We'll explore the variety of responses to non-compliance, from supportive education and engagement to enforcement action that helps to protect and enhance the safety, health, wellbeing and quality of life of older people.

PS4.2 - Food, nutrition and dining: clinical and rights-based perspectives

Older people are at an increased risk of developing multi-morbidities that negatively impact nutritional status, and communication and swallowing abilities. Nutrition care and food and dining services that meet the needs, preferences and goals of individuals is therefore central to their health, well-being and rights. This session will explore the importance of effective governance in aged care to implement evidence-based policies and best practice, focusing on the ongoing assessment and monitoring of food and nutrition risk, and how this is managed during the transition from home care to residential setting.

PS4.3 - Best practice complaints handling: Key pillars of effective complaint management systems

In this session we will discuss the foundations to building a positive complaints handling culture in a rights-based setting, and its impact on driving continuous learning and improvement across your services.