From 1 November 2025, Australia’s new aged care framework is in force. The Aged Care Act 2024 sets the foundations, the Aged Care Rules 2025 provide the operational detail, and the Department has released plain-English Guidance for Allied Health Professionals. This highlight explains how allied health clinicians and small practices can deliver funded aged care services under the new model, and what standards apply.
Key Summary
- New framework: the Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules 2025 are now in effect.
- Three delivery pathways: work as a registered provider, an associated provider (subcontractor), or an aged care worker.
- Sole traders & partnerships: can now register to deliver funded services.
- Service scope: “Allied health and therapy” is expressly included in the funded Aged Care Service List (Rules).
- Obligations: Code of Conduct and updated Quality Standards apply across delivery pathways.
What’s Changed — and Why It Matters
The previous “approved provider” concept has been replaced with clearer roles and responsibilities. The Aged Care Act 2024 establishes a rights-centred system with strong expectations around safe practice, incident management, complaints handling, governance and the workforce. The Aged Care Rules 2025 then set out the day-to-day settings: registration categories, the Aged Care Service List (including Allied health and therapy), Quality Standards and the Code of Conduct.
For allied health, this means clearer participation options in funded aged care (home support or residential), with obligations that are easier to understand and implement. The Department’s clinician-friendly explainer, Guidance for Allied Health Professionals, summarises how to engage under the new model.
How Allied Health Can Deliver Funded Services
Option 1 — Register as a Provider
Sole traders, partnerships and companies can now register directly to deliver government-funded aged care. Registration provides a single footprint to operate across programs, subject to your category’s conditions in the Rules (e.g., start/cease notifications, continuity of care, records). Evidence typically includes an ABN and capability to deliver the services you’re registering for.
Option 2 — Work as an Associated Provider (Subcontractor)
You can deliver services under a registered provider’s umbrella via a subcontract. Your agreement should spell out scope, quality expectations, incident and complaint pathways and documentation standards aligned to the Rules and the updated Quality Standards.
Option 3 — Be Engaged as an Aged Care Worker
Clinicians can also be employed or engaged as aged care workers by a registered or associated provider. In all cases, the Code of Conduct and relevant Quality Standards still apply to your day-to-day practice.
Where does “Allied health and therapy” fit? It’s explicitly listed in the Aged Care Service List within the Aged Care Rules 2025, confirming funded scope for allied health across home and residential contexts.
For plain-English pathways and examples, see the Department’s Guidance for Allied Health Professionals.
Standards, the Code of Conduct and Practical Compliance Signals
Under the Aged Care Act 2024, all funded aged care must be delivered in line with the Aged Care Code of Conduct and the updated Aged Care Quality Standards. The Rules 2025 house the operational details: everything from service delivery requirements and records through to continuity of care and notifications.
- Code of Conduct: behaviour, dignity and safe practice obligations apply to providers, associated providers and workers.
- Quality Standards: set expectations for clinical safety, documentation, handover, communication and consumer outcomes across home and residential settings.
- Operational requirements (Rules): start/cease notifications, incident and complaints pathways, financial and clinical records, and continuity of care obligations.
Taken together, these settings are designed to support safe, consistent, person-centred care, whether you register your own allied health service, subcontract under a registered provider, or work as part of a provider’s team.
Conclusion
The new regulatory model makes it simpler for allied health professionals and small practices to participate in funded aged care, while strengthening quality and rights. Choose the pathway that fits your business (register, subcontract, or work as a team member) and align your day-to-day practice with the Code of Conduct and the updated Quality Standards.
Disclaimer: This blog is a general overview and should not be construed as professional legal, financial or medical advice.
FAQs
- Do I have to register as a sole-trader physio or OT to deliver funded aged care?
You can register your own service, subcontract as an associated provider under a registered provider, or be engaged as an aged care worker. The best option depends on your business model and the services you plan to deliver.
- What’s the difference between a registered provider and an associated provider?
A registered provider holds registration and receives Commonwealth funding. An associated provider is subcontracted by a registered provider to deliver part of the service, with quality and incident pathways set out in the subcontract.
- Does the Code of Conduct apply to subcontractors and workers?
Yes. The Code and the updated Quality Standards apply across delivery pathways whenever services are delivered as part of government-funded aged care.
- Where can I find which allied health services are funded?
See the Aged Care Service List in the Aged Care Rules 2025, which expressly includes “Allied health and therapy”.
- Can one registration cover multiple programs?
Yes. The new model is designed so providers can operate across programs with a single registration footprint, subject to meeting category conditions set out in the Rules.
