As Australia prepares for one of the most significant reforms in aged care in decades, providers, residents, and families alike are focused on the Aged Care Act 2024 and the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, both now coming into effect from 1 November 2025. Central to these reforms are enhanced staffing and reporting requirements, designed to uplift the safety, quality and transparency of care for older Australians.
Under the new legislation and standards, providers of residential aged care must meet more rigorous workforce obligations. These include:
- Registered Nurse Coverage
- Since July 2023, a registered nurse must be on-site and on duty 24/7 in residential aged care services with further scrutiny and reporting now embedded under the new Act. Leigh Place is industry-leading in this regard, having embraced 24/7 RNs as central to our model of care since inception.
- Care Minutes Compliance
- From 1 October 2024, the mandated average care minutes increased to 215 minutes per resident per day, including 44 minutes delivered by a Registered Nurse. These care minutes continue to be monitored and enforced under the new compliance framework.
- Fit and Proper Workforce
- Providers will be required to ensure that all staff are appropriately qualified, competent, and fit to deliver care, including through structured orientation, ongoing education, and performance review.
- Workforce Planning and Governance
- The Strengthened Standards require a planned and competent workforce—this means providers must show how they match staffing levels, skills and qualifications to the needs of residents, including in response to changes in acuity, diversity or preferences.
New and Enhanced Reporting Requirements
Transparency is a cornerstone of the reform agenda. The new Act introduces strengthened provider reporting obligations to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC) and to the public. These include:
- Quarterly Staffing Reports
- Providers must continue to submit quarterly care staffing reports, outlining the number and type of care staff, care minutes provided, and skill mix. These reports are used to monitor compliance and feed into the public Star Ratings system.
- Quality Indicators and Outcomes
- Expanded mandatory reporting on clinical and care outcomes, allows benchmarking and continuous improvement across the sector.
- Governance Accountability
- Boards and governing bodies must ensure oversight of workforce capability and compliance, including review of care reports, staffing trends, and consumer feedback.
What This Means for Residents and Families
These updates are designed to improve trust, safety, and quality. Residents can expect:
- Consistent and qualified care from a stable workforce.
- Confidence that their needs are being met in a timely and appropriate way.
- Transparency about who is providing care, how much care is being delivered, and what outcomes are being achieved.
Our Commitment to Quality and Transparency
At Leigh Place, we are embracing these reforms as an opportunity to showcase the quality of our care and service. Our commitment is to provide residents with safe, respectful, and personalised care – every day.
For more information about how we are preparing for the 2025 reforms, or to speak with one of our care team members, contact us today.