The new Aged Care Act is based on a risk-based Regulatory Model. The strengthened regulatory model sets out how the aged care sector will operate when the new Act starts.
As the Commission already operates as a risk-based regulator, the strengthened regulatory model will support the Commission to continue to direct resources to the areas of highest risk and ensure the delivery of safe, high-quality aged care services.
Our 2025–26 Regulatory Strategy explains how we perform our regulatory functions.
The Regulatory Strategy describes how we will deliver on our commitment to protect older people, and how we hold providers and workers to account.
It sets out for providers and workers what we expect from them and how we will engage with them. Importantly, it also explains what older people and their families, as well as providers and workers, can expect from us.
- Read the 2025-26 Regulatory Strategy
- Read the 2025-26 Regulatory Strategy (easy read version)
New Compliance and Enforcement Policy
Our new Compliance and Enforcement Policy applies from 1 November 2025. It explains the compliance and enforcement actions we can take to:
- make sure providers and workers understand and comply with their obligations under the new Aged Care Act and the Aged Care Rules 2025
- uphold the rights of older people under the Statement of Rights
- remedy and prevent non-compliance and promote conduct that protects the safety, health and wellbeing of older people.
Our response to non-compliance will depend on the risk it presents to older people, and how willing the provider or worker is to work with us to manage the risk.