In the complex landscape of Australian care services, many aged care providers face a challenge: complying with multiple sets of standards. For example, some providers must comply with both the Aged Care Quality Standards (ACQS) and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) Practice Standards. Since December 2020, residential aged care providers who support NDIS participants have been required to be registered with the NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission in addition to maintaining their obligations under the Aged Care Act 1997. This article explores the difficulties these providers face as they strive to meet the demands of multiple regulatory frameworks, and considers the impact on providers, consumers, and the broader aged care sector.
The ACQS, introduced in July 2019, set the benchmark for quality care in Australia’s aged care sector, focusing on outcomes for consumers and promoting person-centred care for older Australians. The NDIS Practice Standards apply to registered NDIS providers and aim to promote choice and control for people with disability while ensuring the safety and quality of NDIS supports. While there is significant crossover between both sets of standards, they are often assessed and regulated separately and requirements do not always align, effectively doubling the time and resources required to maintain compliance.
To complicate matters further, a new Aged Care Act and Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards come into force in November 2025. The new Act and Strengthened Standards aim to enhance the quality and safety of care for older Australians, building upon the current ACQS. However, this rapid change in regulatory requirements poses significant challenges for aged care providers. After transitioning to the ACQS only six years ago, they now face the task of aligning their practices with another new set of standards.
The complexity of multi-standard compliance extends beyond the intersection of aged care and disability services. Many aged care providers must also navigate additional regulatory frameworks. For instance, providers serving Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities may need to comply with specific cultural safety standards and guidelines, such as those outlined in the National Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Health Plan. Similarly, providers operating across different states and territories must adhere to relevant state-based regulations and reporting requirements.
Several areas prove particularly challenging for providers who must adhere to multiple sets of standards. Aged care providers must establish governance structures that satisfy all applicable frameworks, often leading to complex administrative processes. Maintaining separate quality management systems for each set of standards can be resource-intensive and confusing for workers, while different reporting requirements and timelines can lead to potential compliance breaches. The increased administrative load often leads to higher operational costs for providers and less time to focus on direct care provision. This financial strain can be particularly challenging for smaller providers, potentially forcing some to exit certain markets, thereby reducing service options for consumers.
To address these challenges, regulators should prioritise the harmonisation of relevant standards, such as the Aged Care Quality Standards and NDIS Practice Standards, to reduce duplication and streamline compliance processes. Clear guidance from regulators on how to navigate areas of potential conflict between sets of standards would be beneficial for providers. Developing a unified auditing process that assesses compliance with multiple standards simultaneously could reduce the administrative burden on providers. Ensuring providers have the funding to invest in technology that can manage compliance across applicable frameworks could improve efficiency and reduce the risk of non-compliance and low-quality care.
The challenge of multi-standard compliance presents a significant hurdle for many aged care providers. Moving forward, it is essential for regulators, providers, and stakeholders to collaborate on finding solutions that maintain high standards of care while reducing unnecessary regulatory burdens. By streamlining compliance processes across all relevant standards, we can ensure that providers are well-equipped to offer high-quality care to all Australians, regardless of the regulatory frameworks involved.
