How to Apply for Your Aged Care Registration

Before you apply, make sure your organisation is set up to operate as an aged care provider:

• Register your business (ASIC, ABN, company name).
• Obtain Director IDs and ensure governance arrangements are in place.
• Arrange professional indemnity and public liability insurance.
• Develop your branding, website, and secure file-sharing systems.
• Recruit key personnel and ensure they meet aged care requirements (police checks, NDIS Worker Screening if relevant, mandatory training).

Saami Services provides a New Business Checklist to guide you through these essentials.

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will expect you to demonstrate strong governance and risk management. This means having:

• A comprehensive policy suite aligned to the Aged Care Quality Standards.
• A governance structure with defined roles and responsibilities.
• Position descriptions, an organisational chart, and HR compliance systems.
• Registers for risk, incidents, complaints, feedback, and quality improvements.
• Service agreements, care plans, and intake assessments for clients.

Our ready-to-use policy packs are pre-populated to meet aged care compliance requirements and streamline your preparation.

The application is lodged with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and requires you to:

• Describe your organisation and governance systems.
• Provide evidence that you can meet the Aged Care Quality Standards.
• Show your workforce planning, clinical governance, and financial viability.
• Identify which aged care services and programs you intend to deliver.

Saami Services offers coaching and tailored responses to ensure your application reflects your systems and practice.

After lodging your application, the Commission will determine your assessment pathway. This may include a desk audit of your documents and a site audit where assessors interview staff, management, and sometimes clients.  To prepare, you’ll need to:

• Organise your folder structure and ensure evidence is complete.
• Provide client and staff documentation that demonstrates compliance.
• Ensure policies, care plans, and risk assessments are current.
• Prepare your team to confidently discuss how they implement the Standards.

Saami Services has an Audit Preparation Checklist and Sample Audit Questions to help you get ready for assessor interviews and evidence reviews.

Registration is only the beginning. Approved providers must continue to demonstrate compliance with the Aged Care Quality Standards, including:

• Regular internal audits.
• Ongoing staff training and performance reviews.
• Governance and clinical governance meetings.
• Continuous improvement activities informed by feedback.
• Regular review of policies, procedures, and care documentation.

Saami Services provides compliance programs and coaching so you remain “audit-ready” all year round.