Consumer advisory bodies are a way for you to have a say about the aged care and services you receive.
Consumer advisory bodies provide valuable feedback, suggestions and ideas to the governing body of an aged care provider. The governing body is responsible for the aged care and services provided. They must consider your feedback and explain how they considered it in writing. This direct line gets your voice heard and can improve quality of care.
Joining a consumer advisory body can also help you to connect with other people receiving care. Members of a consumer advisory body may collect information and feedback from other people accessing aged care from their provider, including:
- what the provider is doing well
- what the provider could improve
- their personal needs, goals, preferences and concerns.
Watch this video to hear directly from Maggie, Jo and Jan from a consumer advisory body at Queen Victoria Care in Tasmania. They talk about what matters to them, and how they partner with the governing body in the design of their care.
Transcript for 'Queen Victoria Care Residential Advisory Committee experiences'
For more information, view our consumer advisory body guide.
Getting involved
Setting up a consumer advisory body
Ask your provider how you can set up a consumer advisory body. Work with them to start the process and get their help along the way.
Your provider can also connect you with other people at your service so they can get involved.
How to join a consumer advisory body
Ask your provider to connect you with the chair or a member of the consumer advisory body. You can find out more about how they work and decide if you want to get involved.
What to expect from your provider
Providers must actively provide opportunities for people receiving aged care to set up or join a consumer advisory body. Your provider will give you details about how it works and what you need to do.
Your provider should make sure that their consumer advisory bodies reflect the different backgrounds of people receiving care and support people who may find it hard to participate. They'll also ask your supporters if they'd like to join.
If your provider doesn’t write to you to offer to set up a consumer advisory body at least once a year, talk to them about it. If that's difficult or uncomfortable for you, contact us for help. You can also get support or advice from independent advocacy services. The Older Person's Advocacy Network (OPAN) Support Line offers free, independent advice.
OPAN, and employees and advocates of each OPAN network organisation, can’t join a consumer advisory body. However, an advocate may be able to attend a consumer advisory body meeting to talk about what they do and your rights.
From 1 November 2025, registered providers in the nursing and transition care, and residential care categories (except government organisations or local government authorities) must meet their obligations in relation to consumer advisory bodies. If your provider is not required to offer to start a consumer advisory body, you can still talk to them about your ideas and give feedback about their care and services.
Toolkit for consumer advisory body members
Our Consumer advisory body toolkit can help you join, start, or participate in a consumer advisory body. It has information to help you with meetings, guide discussions and support other members to take part.
