What you need to know to deliver In-Home Aged Care Support Services

The Big Shift: SAH replaces HCP & STRC

From 1 November 2025, the Support at Home Program becomes the main home‑care system.
To deliver SAH services, a business must:

• Be registered under the Aged Care Act 2024

• Meet the Aged Care Quality Standards (strengthened versions for some categories)

• Use My Aged Care and Services Australia claiming systems

• Follow the Code of Conduct for Aged Care

• Report incidents, complaints, and departures correctly

What an Established Business Must Do to Become a Registered Provider

The Department of Health outlines a clear sequence. These are the steps that matter most for an already‑operating business:

Step 1 — Register as a Provider under the Aged Care Act 2024

You must demonstrate that your business has:

• Governance systems

• Financial reporting capability

• Workforce screening and compliance

• Incident management systems

• Complaint handling processes

• Ability to meet the Aged Care Quality Standards

Step 2 — Understand Your Legal Responsibilities

This includes:

• Wellness & reablement approach

• Cultural safety

• Diversity and inclusion

• Safe, reasonable, transparent pricing

• Accurate record‑keeping

• Reporting changes to the Commission

Step 3 — Register Your Service Delivery Branches

Every physical location where you deliver SAH services must be declared to the Department.

Step 4 — Set Up Digital Systems

You must register for:

• My Aged Care Service & Support Portal

• Aged Care Provider Portal (ACPP) via PRODA

• Online claiming systems

Step 5 — Complete SAH Provider Training

The Department strongly recommends completing the SAH training modules.

What Standards You Must Meet (This Is Where Most Businesses Need to Prepare)

Aged Care Quality Standards (Strengthened)

Depending on your registration category, you may need to comply with:

• Standards 1–4 (for Category 4 providers)

• Standards 1–5 (for Category 5 providers)

These cover:

• Consumer dignity & choice

• Safety & quality

• Workforce capability

• Clinical care (if applicable)

• Care management

Code of Conduct for Aged Care

All staff must follow the Code — including subcontractors and casuals.

Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS)

You must report serious incidents to the Commission.

Workforce Requirements

You must ensure:

• Staff screening

• Mandatory training

• Supervision and competency

• Clear role descriptions

• Incident and risk management

🧩 4. What Changes for Your Business Operationally

Becoming an SAH provider means:

You must manage:

• Care recipient entry and departures

• Quarterly budgets

• Care management accounts

• Claims and payment cycles

• Price transparency

• Service agreements and care plans

You must demonstrate:

• Safe, consistent service delivery

• Strong governance

• Consumer‑centred practice

• Clear documentation

• Financial accountability

🧩 5. If You Prefer NOT to Become a Registered Provider

You can still deliver SAH services by subcontracting to a Registered Provider.

This is ideal if you:

• Already have staff

• Want to avoid the heavy compliance load

• Prefer to focus on service delivery rather than governance

In this model:

• The Registered Provider holds the legal responsibility

• You deliver services under their policies

• You must meet their workforce, safety, and reporting requirements

This is the simplest pathway for many established small–medium businesses.

🧩 6. What You Should Do Next (Practical Steps)

If you want to become a Registered Provider:

1. Review the Aged Care Quality Standards

2. Audit your current systems (governance, HR, safety, incident reporting)

3. Identify gaps

4. Prepare documentation

5. Register via the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

6. Set up PRODA, ACPP, and My Aged Care portals

7. Complete SAH training modules

If you want to subcontract instead:

1. Identify Registered Providers in your region

2. Prepare your capability statement

3. Ensure your staff meet screening and training requirements

4. Align your policies with the provider’s compliance framework

Want me to map this specifically to your business structure?

I can create:

• A readiness checklist

• A gap analysis

• A step‑by‑step transition plan

• A subcontractor capability pack

• A staff compliance matrix

• A “What SAH means for your business” briefing for your team

Just tell me which direction you’re leaning — full registration or subcontracting — and I’ll build the exact pathway for you.