To deliver funded aged care services under the new Aged Care Act 2024 (the new Aged Care Act), an organisation or person must be registered with the Commission.
Organisations or people must apply for registration in the categories that match the services they plan to deliver. To find out more about registration categories, see About provider registration.
Who can apply
To improve older people’s choice and the sustainability of the aged care sector, the new Aged Care Act has expanded the types of entities that can deliver government-funded aged care services.
You can apply to become a registered provider if you are a:
- sole trader
- body corporate (such as a company)
- partnership
- company
- cooperative
- government entity
- incorporated entity
- other unincorporated association with a governing body
- any of the above in a trustee capacity.
What we consider
You must apply for registration using the application for registration form and pay a fee (if applicable).
We use specific criteria to assess an application for registration. We test the organisation or person’s suitability, capacity and capability to deliver aged care services.
When we assess your application for registration, we check that you:
- can meet the registration requirements in the new Aged Care Act and Aged Care Rules 2025. You need to show that you can meet:
- general registration requirements
- requirements for the specific registration category
- extra conditions that we may add to your registration to manage risks to older people
- can show that each of your responsible persons (such as people in leadership positions) are suitable to deliver aged care
- can meet all the requirements for at least one registration category
- have financial management systems and records
- have an Australian Business Number (ABN).
If you apply to be registered to deliver residential care (Category 6), at least one of your residential care homes must meet the approval requirements. You can apply for approval of residential care homes as part of the registration process.
When applying to become a registered provider, you must explain the extent of your relationship with any associated providers. Our regulatory bulletin explains your requirements when using associated providers to deliver aged care services.
We will not register an organisation or person if they don’t meet their registration requirements.
You can learn more about your requirements on Provider obligations and conditions of registration.
When we do an audit
If you apply to deliver services in registration categories 4, 5 or 6, we will audit you against the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards as part of your registration assessment.
We do audits to assess if you can conform with the strengthened Quality Standards and deliver safe and high-quality care.
We may not do an audit if you:
- have not met the general registration requirements
- are planning to deliver specialist aged care through the Multi-Purpose Services Program.
You can find out more on Audits.
Outcome of your application
If we register you as a provider, we’ll:
- decide your registration period
- record your supervision status
- list you on the Provider Register.
If we decide not to register you, we’ll send you a Notice of Decision with the reasons.
Some of our registration decisions are reviewable decisions. If you disagree with our decision can ask us to review it.
You can find out more, on Request reconsideration of a reviewable decision.
Before you apply
Before you apply:
- read the Registration Guidance and Provider Handbook
- read our Provider Registration Policy
- prepare all required documents and information.
More information
You can find out more about how to apply for registration on Applications, requests and notifications.
