Quick take
Watch Amelia Dix’s short summary for October 2026.
Dementia Action Week finished on 27 September, and 1 October is the International Day of Older Persons. The UN theme this year is ‘The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives’.
South Australia’s Week of Ageing Well runs from 1 to 7 October. The DHS calendar lists events across the state, including expos, advance care directive information sessions and come-and-try wellness activities, and organisations can register their own.
Key Reform Updates
CHSP extended to 30 June 2029
CHSP grant funding will be extended for another two years, to 30 June 2029. The Department will also start consultation this year on the future of CHSP, including how it is funded, the role of block-funded services, fair contributions to the cost of care and early intervention.
CHSP Service Agreements and Care and Services Plans from 1 November
Transition arrangements for existing clients end on 1 November 2026. From that date, every CHSP client must have a Service Agreement and a Care and Services Plan that meet the Aged Care Act 2024 and the Aged Care Rules 2025. The Department’s user guide, template and checklists are on this page.
CHSP 2025–27 Manual
The 2025–27 edition is still the current CHSP Manual. It covers the program, provider responsibilities, funding and the changes from 1 November 2025 under the Aged Care Act 2024.
Aged Care Quality Bulletin #8-2026
Includes the Commission’s new research with WhereTo on how rights-based care is working in practice, an investigation into a Support at Home provider’s pricing, an updated form for responsible person details, and new OPAN eLearning modules on Alis.
Commission Corporate Plan 2026–27 (PDF)
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s priorities for the year. Its sector risk priorities are older people’s rights, sexual safety and sexual rights, de-escalating changed behaviours, and culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.
Let’s talk about complaints
A new newsletter from the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner, Treasure Jennings, on aged care rights and how to raise concerns. It is written for older people and their families, and providers and workers can subscribe too.
Cost Recovery Implementation Statement 2026–27 (PDF)
The Commission’s fees for provider registration, renewal and variation. It proposes indexed fees and wider fee waivers for Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations; current fees apply until the Aged Care Rules are amended.
Sector News
Grant for higher nurse leave costs (GO8512)
One-off funding to help registered providers, including CHSP providers, pay registered and enrolled nurses’ leave at the higher award rates from 1 August 2026. Applications close at 1.30pm ACDT on Tuesday 6 October.
South Australia’s Week of Ageing Well
Runs from 1 to 7 October. The DHS calendar lists events across the state by region and type, and organisations can register their own.
National Aged Care Provider Conference 2026
The Commission’s conference is on 13 and 14 October in Brisbane. In-person places are full, but free virtual registration is open to registered providers, including CHSP. Email agedcare@thinkbusinessevents.com.au for the form.
Changes to Specialisation Verification
No new applications or evidence are being accepted until 19 October. From 20 October, applications go through the My Aged Care Service and Support Portal under the 2025 Specialisation Verification Framework.
Education Pack: The Strengthened Quality Standards – Home Care services
A PowerPoint pack from the Commission for providers to deliver to their own staff, either in full or as separate sessions on each Standard.
OPAN submission to the Support at Home inquiry
OPAN’s submission to the Senate Community Affairs References Committee inquiry into Support at Home. It draws on OPAN’s advocacy work with older people and makes 66 recommendations, including maximum wait times for assessment and services.
Dates coming up
Webinars
- Wednesday 7 October, 12.30pm to 1.30pm ACDT
Diversity, identity and belonging. A free OPAN panel on how identity, culture and rights shape an older person’s aged care. - Wednesday 4 November, 9.00am to 12.30pm ACDT
Registration Renewal for CHSP Providers. An online workshop with SA SSD and Enkindle Consulting for providers in registration categories 1 to 3. It covers the renewal process and forms, evidence, and an audit readiness action plan. - Wednesday 4 November, 1.30pm to 2.30pm ACDT
Digital Transformation Tech Talk. The Department’s update for the sector and IT professionals on its digital transformation work.
Engagements and consultations
- Closes Monday 19 October
Aged Care, Disability, Leisure and Health Qualification Review. HumanAbility is reviewing six qualifications, including the Certificate III in Individual Support, Certificate IV in Ageing Support and the Leisure and Health qualifications. You can comment on the drafts in its consultation portal, join a workshop or do a short survey.
SA SSD News
Webinar notes: Who we think we are
Notes from the first Ageing Reframed panel on 23 September, with geriatrician Dr Sanka Amadoru and Mat Crompton and Kris White of Behaviour ID, on how identity shapes older people’s decisions about help at home, diagnosis and medicines. Each section links to its part of the recording.
Workforce Wins
The SSRG’s playlist of workforce videos for CHSP providers, including the Workforce Wins series of 10-minute talks on one challenge each. Current episodes cover staff retention, recruiting volunteers by word of mouth, cultural intelligence and recruitment partners.
CHSP and Aged Care Resource Guide
The SSRG’s quarterly guide to resources, training opportunities and guidance for CHSP providers, grouped by topic. The July to September 2026 edition is on the Resource Hub.