Become a Registered Aged Care Provider-Support at Home Program

Your pathway to success in Aged Care begins here.

At Lorraine Poulos and Associates (LPA), we understand the complexities of navigating the evolving aged care sector. As the Support at Home Program reshapes the landscape, we are here to guide you through the process of becoming a registered or associated provider. With the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards set to take effect from 1 November, and the Single Provider Model coming into play, the aged care sector is undergoing significant reform.

Our expert team provides in-depth support to ensure that you not only meet the regulatory requirements but also deliver high-quality care that aligns with the latest standards and expectations. We offer a strategic approach to help you:

Navigate the single provider model: Providers will need to demonstrate integrated service delivery, ensuring that they meet the needs of participants in a cohesive, person-centred way. As your trusted consultant, we will guide you in adapting your business operations to meet these new demands, including compliance with registration criteria, governance, and reporting obligations.

Prepare for the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards: From 1 November, the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards will place an increased emphasis on continuous quality improvement, participant safety, and transparency. Our team is equipped to support you in aligning your services with these standards, ensuring that your organisation is not only compliant but also positioned to provide exceptional care to older Australians.

Ensure ongoing compliance: With the evolving regulatory environment, it’s critical to stay ahead of compliance requirements. LPA will help you understand the implications of these reforms and provide hands-on guidance for implementing effective compliance systems.

Registration requirements for a registered provider vs associate provider (contractor)

We encourage you to refer to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s information available to understand further the process of becoming a registered provider or associated provider. At LPA we are working with new providers to ensure they are in the best position to submit their application under the strengthened Aged Care Act from 1 November 2025.

Registration Requirement Registered Provider Associated Provider
Participant Interaction Can directly engage with and provide services to participants. Provides services under the supervision of the registered provider and does not directly engage with participants independently.
Eligibility Check Must meet the criteria set in the Aged Care Act 2024 and Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. Must align with the registered provider’s requirements, but not directly assessed by the ACQSC.
Application Submission Submit a detailed application to the ACQSC, including documentation of service model, governance, and financial systems. Not required to submit an application to the ACQSC, but must enter into a partnership agreement with a registered provider.
Compliance with Aged Care Standards Must comply with the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, including governance, service delivery, and consumer safety. Must comply with the registered provider's compliance systems and follow their governance and service delivery standards.
Governance and Risk Management Must have internal governance, risk management, and quality control frameworks in place. Must adhere to the governance and risk management frameworks of the registered provider.
Participant Care Standards Must meet person-centred care and safety standards as outlined in the Support at Home Program. Must follow the registered provider’s protocols for consumer safety, quality, and care.
Financial Management Responsible for managing finances, funding claims, and reporting to the ACQSC. Financial reporting and claims management are overseen by the registered provider.
Quality Assurance Systems Must have systems in place for ongoing quality improvement and continuous compliance with aged care reforms. Must align with the registered provider’s quality assurance and improvement systems.
Oversight and Reporting Directly responsible for ongoing reporting to the ACQSC and maintaining registration. Must report through the registered provider’s systems, with oversight from the registered provider for compliance.

Why choose LPA?

LPA is a trusted leader in the aged care consulting industry. With years of experience helping providers thrive under regulatory frameworks, we have developed a deep understanding of the Support at Home Program, the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, and the Aged Care Act 2024. Our team of experts is committed to empowering your organisation with the knowledge and resources needed for successful registration and ongoing compliance.

Our Expertise in Aged Care Compliance and Registration

Guidance for New Providers:

Understanding the Support at Home Program: Learn what the transition to Support at Home means for you and your organisation.

Compliance & Documentation: We help you understand and meet all necessary documentation requirements for successful registration.

Quality Standards Assurance: Our team ensures you’re ready for Quality Standards audits and can demonstrate a commitment to quality care.

Ongoing Support & Training: Stay informed with our ongoing training opportunities that keep you aligned with new regulations and best practices.

For Associated Providers:

As part of the Support at Home Program, you may be considering becoming an associated provider (currently referred to as a contractor). LPA supports your transition, helping you understand the requirements, responsibilities, and the benefits of aligning with registered providers.

How can LPA support you?

  1. Expert Consultation: Get personalised guidance from expert consultants who have worked across all levels of aged care.
  2. Customised Action Plans: Receive a clear, actionable plan for achieving registration and maintaining compliance.
  3. Practical Resources: Access a range of resources designed to simplify the compliance and registration process.
  4. Continuous Support: From the initial application to ongoing audits and reviews, LPA is with you every step of the way.

Our Services Include:

The below is a starting point of how we can support you in your journey as a provider in the Aged Care sector. How we will help you depends on what you currently have in place and what pathway you will take in providing services to older Australians. We highly recommend that you stay updated through government channels as these changes are evolving including the potential for registered providers to only offer services in particular categories (however this has been outlined that it will not be possible until at least 2027).

Our services include:

  • Strategic Advice on Provider Registration
  • Full Assistance with Document Preparation
  • Audit & Compliance Support
  • Clinical Care Model Development
  • Training & Workforce Development
  • Risk Management & Governance Advice

With our end-to-end services, LPA makes the process of becoming a registered or associated provider seamless and stress-free.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

To become a registered Aged Care provider in Australia, organisations must apply through the Australian Government's formal registration and approval processes. 

At a high level, the process involves: 

  1. Understanding the registration categories and requirements under the new Aged Care Act 

  2. Demonstrating governance, financial viability, and clinical capability 

  3. Establishing compliant systems for quality, safety, risk management, workforce, and participant rights 

  4. Applying to the Australian Government and undergoing assessment 

The Australian Government provides detailed, authoritative guidance via the following official websites: 

Key government resources 

These sites outline eligibility, registration pathways, ongoing obligations, and regulatory oversight. 

How LPA can help 
While the registration decision sits with the government, LPA supports organisations to prepare for registration by strengthening governance, clinical frameworks, risk management, workforce readiness, and operating models aligned to government expectations. 

Learn more:  
→ Consultancy services 

Support at Home is the Australian Government's new aged care program that replaces Home Care Packages (HCPs) with a single, streamlined in-home care system. The program is designed to make aged care simpler, more equitable, and more outcomes-focused, enabling older people to remain living safely and independently at home for longer. 

Support at Home places a stronger emphasis on: 

  • Rights-based, person-centred care 
  • Services delivered in line with assessed need and outcomes 
  • Greater transparency and accountability for how care is planned and delivered 
  • Clearer expectations around clinical governance, quality, and risk management 
  • A focus on restorative and reablement approaches where appropriate 

Under Support at Home, providers are required to demonstrate robust governance, clinical oversight, workforce capability, and evidence of safe, high-quality care delivery. 

How LPA can support 

LPA supports providers operating under Support at Home to optimise care models, strengthen governance and clinical systems, uplift workforce capability, and maintain audit readiness in a live regulatory environment. 

Learn more: 
→ Support at Home services 
→ Strategic consultancy services 

To deliver services under Support at Home, organisations must meet the Australian Government’s registration requirements for Aged Care providers. Registration focuses on demonstrating that your organisation can deliver safe, high-quality, rights-based care with appropriate governance, systems, and capability in place. 

At a high level, providers seeking Support at Home registration must demonstrate: 

1. Governance and leadership 

  • Clear governance arrangements, including defined roles, responsibilities, and accountability 
  • Board and executive oversight aligned to the new Aged Care Act 
  • Fit and proper person requirements for key personnel 

2. Financial viability and sustainability 

  • Evidence of financial capacity to deliver services safely and sustainably 
  • Appropriate financial management, controls, and reporting 

3. Clinical governance and quality systems 

  • Clinical governance frameworks aligned to the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards 
  • Systems to manage clinical risk, incidents, feedback, and continuous improvement 
  • Clear escalation, review, and assurance processes 

4. Risk management and safeguarding 

  • Identification and management of high-prevalent, high-impact and high-intensity risks 
  • Safeguards to protect older people, including complaint handling and incident management 

5. Workforce capability 

  • A suitably skilled, trained, and supported workforce 
  • Systems for recruitment, supervision, training, and ongoing capability development 

6. Care delivery aligned to assessed need 

  • Operating and care management models that align services to assessed need and outcomes 
  • Documentation and evidence demonstrating person-centred, accountable care delivery 

7. Regulatory compliance and readiness 

  • Policies, procedures, and records demonstrating compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements 
  • Readiness for regulatory assessment, monitoring, and audit 

Official government guidance 

The Australian Government provides detailed and up-to-date information through the following authoritative sources: 

How LPA can support 

LPA supports providers to prepare for Support at Home registration by strengthening governance, clinical governance, risk management, workforce readiness, operating models, and evidence required for assessment. 

Learn more: 
→ Strategic consultancy services 

Under the Support at Home program and the new Aged Care Act, providers may operate as either Registered Providers or Associated Providers, depending on their role, responsibilities, and level of accountability. 

Registered Provider 

A Registered Provider is the organisation that holds formal registration with the Australian Government and has primary accountability for care delivery and compliance. 

Registered Providers are responsible for: 

  • Overall governance and leadership, including board and executive accountability 
  • Clinical governance and quality systems aligned to the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards 
  • Risk management, safeguarding, and incident management 
  • Ensuring services are delivered in line with assessed need and outcomes 
  • Contracting and oversight of any Associated Providers 
  • Regulatory compliance, reporting, and audit readiness 

Registered Providers are directly regulated by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and accountable under the new legislative framework administered by the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care. 

Associated Provider 

An Associated Provider delivers services on behalf of a Registered Provider but does not hold full registration themselves. 

Associated Providers: 

  • Deliver specific services (e.g. care, allied health, supports) under contract 
  • Operate within the Registered Provider's governance and clinical frameworks 
  • Must meet capability, workforce, and quality expectations set by the Registered Provider 
  • Are subject to oversight and assurance by the Registered Provider 

While Associated Providers are not fully registered, they are still expected to operate safely, competently, and in alignment with regulatory requirements. 

Why this distinction matters 

Understanding the difference helps organisations decide: 

  • Whether they wish to hold full accountability as a Registered Provider 
  • Whether an Associated Provider model better suits their size, risk appetite, or growth strategy 
  • How responsibilities for quality, risk, workforce, and compliance are structured 

How LPA can help 

LPA supports organisations to understand and select the most appropriate pathway; Registered or Associated Provider and to design the governance, clinical, and operational systems required for that role. 

Learn more: 
→ Strategic consultancy services 

The time it takes to become a registered aged care provider, including registration to deliver services under Support at Home, can vary depending on several factors. There is no fixed timeframe set by the government, as applications are assessed based on the completeness, quality, and readiness of each organisation. 

In general, the registration process may take several months from application to approval. Timeframes are influenced by: 

  • The registration category being applied for (e.g. Support at Home, residential aged care) 
  • The complexity of the organisation, services, and operating model 
  • How well governance, clinical governance, risk management, workforce, and financial systems are established and evidenced 
  • The quality and completeness of information provided with the application 
  • Requests from regulators for additional information or clarification 

Organisations that begin the process with clear governance arrangements, robust systems, and well-prepared documentation are generally better placed to move through registration more efficiently. 

How LPA can support 

LPA supports organisations to prepare for provider registration by identifying gaps early, strengthening required systems, and helping ensure applications are clear, complete, and aligned with regulatory expectations, reducing delays caused by rework or clarification requests. 

Learn more: 
→ Strategic consultancy services 

LPA supports organisations through the provider application process by helping them understand requirements, strengthen systems, and prepare the evidence needed for registration. 

LPA's support typically includes: 

  • Clarifying registration pathways and obligations under Support at Home and the new Aged Care Act 
  • Reviewing and strengthening governance and board assurance frameworks 
  • Establishing or uplifting clinical governance, quality, and risk management systems 
  • Supporting workforce readiness, including roles, capability, supervision, and training 
  • Reviewing and improving policies, procedures, documentation, and evidence required for assessment 
  • Identifying and addressing gaps or risks before submission 
  • Providing mock assessments and readiness reviews to support confidence prior to lodgement 

LPA does not submit applications on behalf of providers, but works alongside organisations to ensure they are well-prepared, compliant, and confident when engaging with government and regulators, reducing the risk of delays or requests for further information. 

Learn more: 
→ Strategic consultancy services 

Ready to become a registered provider?

Contact us today to schedule a consultation and find out how we can support your transition into the Support at Home Program.