Australia’s aged care system has now entered a new regulatory era. With the Aged Care Act 2024 in effect since November 2025, Support at Home Providers are operating under stricter oversight, clearer obligations, and a rights-based framework that places older people at the centre of care delivery.
At the core of these reforms is the aged care code of conduct, which now serves as a baseline legal requirement for providers, governing persons, and workers. It underpins the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and sets clear expectations for safe, respectful, and person-centred care.
For providers, compliance is no longer about preparation, it’s about consistent execution. Embedding the Code into daily operations is essential to meet regulatory requirements, demonstrate accountability, and maintain trust with clients and the regulator.
Why Compliance with the Code Is Non-Negotiable
The Code of Conduct is now a condition of operating in the aged care sector, not just a guiding framework. Regulators expect providers to demonstrate how the Code is actively applied across their organisation.
Failing to meet these expectations can lead to serious consequences, including sanctions or loss of registration.
Here’s why it matters:
- Regulatory requirement: Compliance is mandatory under the Aged Care Act 2024 and tied to provider registration
- Audit readiness: The Code is embedded into assessments by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
- Risk management: Strong adherence reduces incidents, complaints, and reportable breaches
- Reputation protection: Demonstrates accountability and builds trust with clients and families
- Workforce clarity: Provides clear behavioural expectations for staff, contractors, and volunteers
- Alignment with standards: Supports delivery against the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
For Support at Home Providers, the focus has shifted from understanding the rules to proving they are consistently followed in practice.
Aged Care Code of Conduct: 8 Key Behaviours
The code of conduct for aged care workers sets clear behavioural expectations for everyone delivering government-funded aged care, providers, governing persons, staff, and volunteers. These behaviours are not just principles; they are enforceable standards that providers must be able to demonstrate in day-to-day operations.
1. Respect Individual Rights and Choice
Providers must support each person’s right to make decisions about their own care, including freedom of expression and self-determination. In practice, this means enabling informed choices and respecting those decisions, even in complex care situations.
2. Treat People with Dignity and Respect
Every interaction should uphold the individual’s dignity, values, and cultural background. Care delivery must reflect respect for diversity and adapt to each person’s unique needs and preferences.
3. Protect Privacy and Confidentiality
Personal and sensitive information must be handled securely and in line with legal requirements. Providers need clear processes to ensure client data is protected and only shared when appropriate.
4. Deliver Safe and Competent Care
Care must be delivered by workers with the right skills, training, and supervision. Providers are responsible for ensuring their workforce is capable of delivering services safely and effectively at all times.
5. Act with Integrity and Transparency
Honesty and professionalism are critical across all levels of the organisation. This includes being upfront about qualifications, managing conflicts of interest, and maintaining clear communication with clients.
6. Address Risks and Concerns Promptly
Issues affecting care quality or safety must be identified and acted on without delay. Strong reporting systems and a proactive approach help minimise risks and prevent escalation.
7. Provide Care Free from Harm
Providers must ensure environments are free from abuse, neglect, discrimination, or exploitation. Safeguarding is a continuous responsibility, not just a response to incidents.
8. Maintain Professional Boundaries
Clear boundaries are essential to protect both clients and workers. Providers must actively prevent inappropriate behaviour, including any form of sexual misconduct, through training and oversight.
The Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards resources from the regulator can support teams in consistently applying these behaviours across all service settings.
Practical Steps for Compliance with the Code of Conduct
Meeting the Code’s requirements doesn’t have to be overwhelming. Here are practical steps Support at Home Providers can take to stay compliant:
- Training: Ensure all staff and volunteers complete the free “Know Your Code” learning module from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. This builds a shared understanding of the eight behaviours.
- Policies: Update your policies to reflect the Code, covering privacy, safety, and complaint handling. Clear procedures ensure consistency in care delivery.
- Reporting: Set up robust processes for reporting incidents under the Serious Incident Response Scheme (SIRS), which applies to home care settings. Train staff to act promptly on concerns.
- Documentation: Keep detailed records of care delivery, training, and incident reports to demonstrate compliance during audits.
The Commission’s Code of Conduct fact sheets and worker quick guides are excellent tools to support your team’s understanding and implementation. Start small, but start now, compliance is a journey, not a race.
Overcoming Compliance Challenges in Support at Home
Operating under the Support at Home programme brings a new level of accountability for providers. With less direct oversight in home settings, maintaining consistent compliance, especially around supported decision-making, relies heavily on workforce capability, clear processes, and strong governance.
Common challenges include:
- Ensuring staff are confident in supporting client choice and independence
- Maintaining consistent service quality across dispersed home environments
- Managing documentation, reporting, and audit expectations
- Keeping up with evolving regulatory requirements
Addressing these challenges requires more than awareness, it demands structured systems, ongoing training, and practical implementation.
This is where SAH Consulting provides hands-on support. We work closely with Support at Home Providers to simplify compliance and strengthen operational readiness by helping you:
- Understand the new regulations: Clear, practical guidance on what’s required and how it applies to your services
- Prepare a robust application: Support in compiling accurate, complete documentation for registration
- Develop policies and procedures: Tailored documentation that aligns with regulatory expectations and day-to-day operations
- Address challenges as they arise: Ongoing support to resolve issues and navigate complexities with confidence
- Minimise delays: Streamlined processes to help you move through registration and compliance requirements efficiently
With the right systems and support in place, providers can move beyond reactive compliance and focus on delivering high-quality, person-centred care with confidence.
Final Thoughts
Compliance with the aged care code of conduct is essential for delivering safe, respectful, and person-centred care under Australia’s Aged Care Act. Embedding the eight key behaviours into your operations ensures measurable, client-focused outcomes and ongoing alignment with the Strengthened Aged Care Standards.
With staff training, updated policies, and practical tools like the Aged Care Standards poster, your team can stay on track and audit-ready. For expert guidance and support, partner with SAH Consulting, and our team can help simplify compliance and operationalise the Code effectively.
Book your FREE CONSULTATION today and ensure your organisation thrives under the new Aged Care Act.