Clinical teams least prepared as providers gear up for Aged Care Act

By Susan Howarth, Head of Marketing

As part of our upcoming From Policy to Practice webinar, we conducted a poll to better understand provider readiness for the aged care reforms coming into effect in November 2025. The survey gathered insights from over 140 individuals across 112 aged care organisations in Australia, capturing sentiment both before and after the announcement of the updated legislation timeline. The findings reflect a sector working toward reform—but with critical gaps in preparedness, particularly among frontline teams.

Where do providers need the most support?

When asked which areas require the most support ahead of the reforms, 32% of providers identified compliance and regulatory planning as their top concern. Workforce planning and training followed at 25%, while 18% pointed to financial and operational modelling. Leadership and change management (17%) and communication with Boards and stakeholders (8%) also featured as priority areas. These results suggest that many providers are clear on where support is needed—but are still seeking the right tools to make progress.

Planning in progress—but not complete

The majority of respondents indicated that transition planning is already underway. 74% percent said they had started a formal transition plan aligned to the new Aged Care Act, while 18% reported that planning would begin soon. A further 8% said they had not yet started or were unsure where to begin. While the majority are moving in the right direction, the data highlights a need to bring remaining organisations into action and ensure planning translates into execution.

Clinical teams feel least prepared

When asked which teams feel least prepared for the reforms, 35% of respondents identified clinical and care teams as the most underprepared. This was followed by finance and operations teams at 26%, compliance and governance teams at 19%, and HR and workforce planning at 12%. Only 8% of organisations said their executive leadership felt unprepared. This spread suggests that awareness of reform may be concentrated at the top, while the teams closest to day-to-day care delivery require more structured engagement and support.

Sector calls for clarity and practical tools

Looking ahead to the next 6 to 12 months, 59% of respondents said clarity and consistency from government would be the most valuable form of support. Practical resources—such as templates, checklists, and tools—were nominated by 19%, while 13% said leadership insights and peer case studies would be most helpful. The data points to a strong appetite for implementation support, with providers clearly indicating a preference for tools that enable action, not just information.

From Policy to Practice

The poll results reveal a wide variation in readiness across roles and teams. While most organisations have begun planning, critical frontline teams are lagging behind. The revised November start date for the reforms offers additional time, but the need for whole-of-organisation planning and practical implementation remains pressing.

These insights will be explored in detail during our upcoming From Policy to Practice webinar, where sector leaders will break down what operational readiness looks like and share practical strategies to help providers respond with clarity and confidence. Make sure to register here to secure your place.

If you’re looking for support to navigate the transition, our Aged Care Reform Transition Support Program is here to help. We offer tailored advice, planning workshops, diagnostics, and implementation tools to help you lead reform with confidence. Reach out to find out more.