As a provider of aged care services, you can apply for a variation of your registration by completing the Application for variation form (variation form). With this form, you can request to:

• register in a new provider registration category

• remove a category from your registration 

• vary or revoke a Commission imposed condition of registration

• have the Commission impose a new condition of registration.

If you are a registered in Category 6: Residential care, or applying to add Category 6 to your registration, you can also:

• add an approved residential care home to your registration (this can include applying to have a new residential care home approved) 

• remove an approved residential care home from your registration

• vary the total number of beds covered by the approval of a residential care home

• revoke the approval of a residential care home.

This guidance material will help you complete a variation form. It includes:

• information regarding the registration variation application process

• references to specific provisions in the Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules 2025 (these references are for guidance only and a question in the variation form may relate to other provisions or laws)

• explanatory notes to help you understand the intent of a question so that you can provide an accurate and relevant response

• guidance on the evidence expected to support you to complete your application (this is in addition to the guidance given in the variation form for some questions).

This guidance material does not provide explanatory notes or additional guidance on the evidence expected for questions in the variation form that are clear and self-explanatory. This will be specified where applicable.

Refer to the Commission’s glossary for definitions of key terms used throughout this guidance material.

Before you apply

Before you apply to vary your registration, make sure that you understand what is expected of you. This guidance material and the following resources will help you:

• Provider Registration Policy

• Provider Handbook: information about the Commission’s Registration Model, provider obligations, how the Commission enforces obligations and more

• Register and audit providers 

• Types of aged care services: information about the different types of aged care services and programs that providers can deliver

• Provider governance responsibilities: information about the governance responsibilities of a registered provider.

Application fee

The Commission’s Cost Recovery Implementation Statement (CRIS) 2025–26 will outline any application fees to be paid when applying for a variation of registration. Where a fee applies, the Commission does not have to accept the application for variation of registration if that fee has not been paid. 

Apply using the approved form

You must complete and submit your application for variation of registration using the approved form available on the Commission’s website. If you do not use the approved form, your application for variation of registration will not be accepted. 

You will not be able to make changes to the variation form once it is submitted. If you need to change any information given in your variation form, send an email to registrar.applications@agedcarequality.gov.au explaining the circumstances. Include your contact details in the email.

You may withdraw your application for variation of registration at any time before the Commission makes a decision on it. To withdraw your application, send an email to registrar.applications@agedcarequality.gov.au. Include your contact details in the email.

Completing the variation form

Check that you have completed all fields and answered all questions that are relevant to you. Ensure your responses:

• are clear and contain detailed information 

• demonstrate a strong understanding of the requirements for the proposed variations you are applying to be made to your registration

• if you are applying to remove a category, demonstrate your commitment to continuity of care (outline the impact that the removal will have on the older people you provide services to in that category).

• if you are applying to add a new category, detail your relevant experience and suitability related to delivering aged care services in that category (e.g., your understanding of the Statement of Rights and how to act compatibly with it)

• provide information that is specific to you or your organisation

• do not rely on artificial intelligence or prefabricated responses

• demonstrate how you or your organisation will deliver aged care services within your operating context

• demonstrate you have understood this guidance material and applied it to your own circumstances.

During the application process

During the application process, we will assess whether you meet the requirements applicable to the variation you are applying for. This may include:

• registration category specific requirements

• residential care home approval requirements

• provisions relating to conditions of registration

Your application to vary your registration will only be approved if you can demonstrate that you meet all the requirements applicable to the proposed variations.

If you are applying to add categories 4, 5, and/or 6 to your registration, the Commission will conduct an audit against the Aged Care Quality Standards. However, an audit will not be conducted if you qualify for an exemption. More information on the audit process can be found here.

If more details are needed to assess your application, the Commission may request further information from you before making a decision on your application.

If a refusal of your application for variation of registration is being considered (e.g., due to unmet requirements), the Commission will issue you with a Notice of Possible Refusal. This will give you an opportunity to address the concerns outlined in that notice. If necessary, more than one Notice of Possible Refusal may be issued to you for different matters before the Commission makes a decision on your application.

Registration variation decision

Once a decision is made on your application for variation of registration, the outcome will be notified to you via a Notice of Decision within 14 days.

If your application is approved, certain details about your registration will be updated on the Provider Register. Some of this information will be published on the Commission’s website.

Certain kinds of decisions about your application for variation of registration are reviewable decisions. These are decisions that you can request to have the Commission reconsider. More information about the reconsideration process can be found here.