Your monthly update from The Grampians Sector Development Team!
AGED CARE REFORM
Final Draft of new Aged Care Rules
Great news – the final draft of the Aged Care Rules is now available.
These Rules give us a clearer picture of how the new Aged Care Act 2024 will work when it comes into effect on 1 November 2025. After months of consultation and over 400 submissions, this version is locked in – so it’s time to start getting your systems and processes ready.
While the release is not open for further feedback, it is intended to give providers time to develop and refine internal processes and systems to ensure readiness.
Review the Rules and identify what changes may be needed in your systems and processes.
Share this update with your teams and networks.
Reach out if you’d like to discuss what this means for your organisation or need support.
A summary of the key changes to the new Aged Care Rules can also be foundHERE
Please reach out to the Grampians Sector Support and Developoment Team if you have any questions or require support.
Training to prepare for the new Aged Care Act
A second online module is now available to help providers get ready for the new Aged Care Act. ‘Module 2: Aligning to changes’ covers:
Leading change.
Governance and accountability.
Putting the Statement of Rights and Statement of Principles into practice.
Supporting older people’s needs.
Tools, systems and day-to-day practices.
Complaints and whistleblower protections.
Quality Standards in practice.
Access the trainingon the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s online learning system. Each module is free and takes 30 minutes. Module 2 builds on ‘Module 1: Understanding and adapting to the new Aged Care Act’. More modules will be available soon. For more information, visit:
Have you updated DEX to comply with the new CHSP reporting requirements?
From 1 July 2025, CHSP providers need to report against 17 Program Activities (previously there were only 3), aligning with the new CHSP service list. Updates needed to have been made in DEX before the 14 August 2025.
To be able to report, you’ll need to have added the new Program Activities (CHSP Service Types) to your outlets andcreated new cases to associate with the new Program Activities.
The new Program Activities are available in DEX and will need to be linked to each of your Outlets from which you’ll deliver that activity.
Once linking the new Program Activities to your Outlets, the DEX Helpdesk needs to approve them before new cases can be created and your July performance data can be accepted. For organisations who load their performance data into the DEX portal via a system-to-system transfer or bulk XML upload file, you may also need to make updates to your load files or systems to ensure they link to the new codes.
Detailed instructions to assist providers to prepare for post 1 July DEX reporting requirements and set up their new Program Activities are in the Data Exchange Toolkit – Stage 1.
Final Release Version 3 Communication Toolkit
The final release Version 3 of the Aged Care Act & Support at Home Communications Toolkit is now available. This practical, time-saving communications toolkit supports Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP) and Support at Home service providers during the transition to the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home program.
With limited time before the new Act takes effect, providers must ensure their staff, clients and governing boards understand what’s changing and why it matters.
This Toolkit bridges the gap between government-issued materials and what providers need on the ground.
It includes: • Editable templates to tailor communications to staff, clients and boards. • Clear, audience-specific messaging to support understanding and reduce confusion. • FAQs and staff scripts to help frontline teams respond confidently and accurately. • Resources that promote compliance, minimise risk, and maintain trust across all stakeholder groups.
The toolkit ensures key messages are delivered consistently and clearly, saving time and pressure of creating materials from scratch.
The Department of Health, Disability & Ageing are now seeking input from all in-home aged care providers and aged care peak bodies on the design of the Sector Support and Development (SSD) program moving forward.
The survey will close for submissions at 11:59pm (AEST), Monday 1 September 2025.
Your feedback will inform the advice that the Department will provide to the Government about how Sector Support and Development might work from 2026 onwards.
Your feedback will help the Department understand the challenges you face as service providers and areas where targeted support would be of benefit to you.
This survey should only take 10 minutes to complete. However, you will have the opportunity to attach a short submission to support your survey response if you like. Submissions should detail the projects or initiatives you would like this program to implement.
If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to the Sector Support and Compliance Team directly at the Department of Health, Disability & Ageing on:Sectorsupportcompliance@health.gov.au
Volunteering in Aged Care Mandatory Training Consultation
The Systems Strategy and Network Branch of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, want to hear from volunteers, Volunteer Managers and providers who engage with volunteers in the aged care sector about a proposed mandatory training manual for volunteers.
This initiative is part of the new Aged Care Act 2024 and ensures all volunteers have the skills and knowledge to support older people safely and respectfully.
The consultation survey can be accessed via this link - HERE
The survey closes at 5pm (AEST), 12 September 2025.
Consultation: Audit of Commonwealth Home Support Program
The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) is undertaking a performance audit on the effectiveness of the Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP).
As part of this, the ANAO will invite CHSP providers and peak bodies to provide feedback on the program in August and September.
The audit is examining 3 key questions about the CHSP:
Does it meet community need?
Are services delivered effectively?
Is it meeting its objectives?
Feedback will be used to inform the final report and recommendations, which is currently scheduled for tabling in Parliament in March 2026.
The ANAO will invite CHSP participants to provide feedback later this year.
Find out more about the audit, sign up for updates or make a submission through theANAO’s website.
Consultation: Draft Regulatory Strategy 2025-2026
The Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission currently have a public consultation on their draft Regulatory Strategy for 2025-2026.
The move to a rights-based Act from 1 November 2025 will change some of the regulatory functions.
The revised Regulatory Strategy 2025-26 retains the existing provider supervision approach, but it now includes a rights-based approach to regulation, in line with the Commissions broadened functions under the new Act.
Val's LGBTI Ageing together with Eastern Region SSD & Bolton Clarke SSD have developed resources to assist Aged Care providers to understand some key components of rights based, person-centred care reforms highlighting cultural safety, trauma aware and healing informed practices.
Ballarat Regional Multicultural Centre (BRMC) are excited to share theirfirst edition of Cultural Compass, BRMC’s quarterly bulletin dedicated to supporting the aged care sector in strengthening cultural awareness, inclusion, and competency.
In this edition, you’ll find:
Upcoming Cultural Conversations events featuring guest speakers and practical discussions.
New training opportunities, including our online Cultural Competency workshops.
Real-world case studies and learnings.
Snapshot insights to support culturally safe service.
We hope this bulletin supports you and your team as you continue to deliver inclusive, responsive, and culturally informed care.
To register to receive this regular Bulletin please emailteresa@brmc.org.au
WELLNESS & REABLEMENT
With the Wellness & Reablement reporting having just been completed, it is an opportunity to reflect on how your organisation is implementing Wellness & Reablement within your service delivery, including from intake to service delivery to measuring outcomes.
Wellness & Reablement is now referenced within the Aged Care Act Rules (Final draft), CHSP Program Manual, Support at Home Manual, and the Strengthened Quality Standards.
CHSP Providers will be required to:
Delivery services within a Wellness & Reablement approach; and
Report annually on progress in embedding wellness and reablement in its service delivery (the annual wellness and reablement report), and
Be prepared at any time to give the System Governor a report regarding the progress in embedding wellness and reablement in service delivery.
If you are wanting any information or support to review your services and progress implementing a wellness and reablement approach to service delivery, please reach out.
Thrive, elevate your performance from the inside out
The Grampians Sector Development Team, Hume Region Alliance, Bellarine Community Health and West Gippsland Healthcare Group are pleased to offerThrive, elevate your performance from the inside out.
This session will be 60min in length and facilitated by Ashley Whitehead from EQ Minds who presented at our May 2025 Best Practice in Ballarat.
This session will cover:
The Power of our Emotions and Emotional Contagion: Exploring how mood and mindset influence teams, and simple strategies to lift team culture and energy.
Micro Habits for Mental Health: How small, consistent wellbeing practices, grounded in mindfulness, can help build resilience, reduce overwhelm, and create space to recharge in the midst of busy days.
Thrive Through Change : Understanding the emotional impact of change and how to stay grounded through transitions using evidence-based wellbeing tools.
Boundaries for Wellbeing: Understanding the role of healthy boundaries in protecting energy, reducing compassion fatigue, and improving communication.
There are 3 sessions available to choose from (all 3 sessions will be the same content):
Tuesday 19 August 2025 @ 10-11am (AEST)
Wednesday 26 November 2025 @ 1-2pm (AEST)
Thursday 19 March 2026 @ 10-11am (AEST)
Target Audience: Suitable for all CHSP Service provider staff from front line staff right through to Executive and Board.
There are no limits to the number of attendees you can send.
Reflective Conversations: Feedback and Complaints Workshop
The Grampians Sector Development Team in conjunction with the Hills Positive Ageing Project and the Southern Services Reform Group are pleased to be offering a free interactive workshop called Reflective Conversations: Feedback and Complaints.
Monday 1 September 2025 @ 11am – 12pm (AEST)
Feedback and Complaints are central to the current Aged Care Quality Standards, the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and the new Aged Care Act 2024. This interactive workshop will explore the importance of inclusive feedback systems that empower consumers, protect workers, and drive continuous improvement.
Target Audience: Suitable for all CHSP Service provider staff from front line staff right through to Executive and Board.
Professional Development for Direct Care & Social Support Staff: Now - November 2025
The Grampians Sector Development Team is excited to share upcoming Professional Development training for Direct Care Staff – supporting both in-home services and social support activities.
The training will be delivered by Kate Pascale & Associates and will be held virtually via the Zoom platform.
Communicating with Clients and managing challenging conversations. Register HERE
Service Provider Network Meeting September 2025
The Grampians Sector Development Team is hosting the next Grampians CHSP Service Provider Network Meeting on Thursday 4 September 2025 @ 11am – 1pm (AEST).
The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom and all CHSP service providers across the region are invited to attend.
The agenda will consist of the following:
Launch of the Aged Care Act & Support at Home Communication Toolkit
Departmental update (including the Draft Aged Care Act Rules)
Single Assessment update (Representation from ACNA & Grampians Health)
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting. That registration will provide you with a unique Zoom link, so it is critical that each person attending, registers individually.
As part of the registration process, we are also requesting that you provide any question/s that you would like to raise with the Department of Health, Disability & Ageing. There will be opportunity to ask additional questions on the day.
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.
If you have any feedback, questions or concerns regarding any of the information above, please reach out to us on the contact details below.
Melanie Perks
Sector Support & Development Manager
0409 945 301
melaniep@bchc.org.au
Sector Development Team
sectordevelopment@bchc.org.au
www.csdgrampians.org.au
Jimmy Driscoll
Aboriginal Development Officer
0491 176 010
jimmyd@bchc.org.au
Natalie Millar
Regional Advisor - Sector Support & Development
0491 091 699
nataliem@bchc.org.au
The Grampians Sector Development Team is auspiced by Ballarat Community Health, 12 Lilburne St, Lucas, VIC
