Registered providers of meals, snacks or drinks in home or community settings must comply with meal requirements.
The meal requirements are set out in the Aged Care Act 2024 (the Act) and are a condition of registration. They apply to providers registered in:
- Category 1 (Home and community services)
- Category 4 (Personal and care support in the home or community).
The meal requirements
If a provider supplies food, snacks and drinks to people as part of a funded aged care service, then:
- The food must be nutritious and appetising and consider the person’s needs and preferences.
- A dietitian must assess meal services at least once a year to make sure that food and drinks are appetising, meet the needs of older people, and follow evidence-based guidelines and practice.
- The provider must use a quality assurance framework to continuously improve their meal services.
Who needs to comply
- Providers who prepare, package and deliver pre-prepared meals, snacks and drinks to a person’s home.
- Providers who supply meals, snacks and drinks during small day outings or structured group activities in the community.
- Providers who serve meals, snacks and drinks as part of overnight care in a cottage respite service in the community.
What are meal services?
Meal services are the food, snacks and drinks you provide to people as part of a funded aged care service. They can include:
- main meals (breakfast, lunch, dinner)
- multi-course meals (lighter meals and desserts)
- drinks
- mid-meals or snacks
- fresh, frozen, hot or chilled meals.
More information
For more information about meal requirements and how we monitor compliance visit Regulatory Bulletin – Meal Requirements.
