Aged Care Commission reveals 2026-27 regulatory priorities

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has flagged four areas where it believes providers must strengthen practice if the sector is to reduce harm and improve outcomes for older Australians.

The priorities, announced by Commissioner Liz Hefren-Webb, will guide additional regulatory attention, sector engagement and provider education throughout 2026-27.

Rather than replacing the Commission’s broader oversight role, the priorities are intended to highlight areas where regulatory intelligence suggests the greatest risks to older people continue to emerge.

The four focus areas are aged care rights in practice, sexual safety and sexual rights, de-escalating changed behaviours, and culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people delivered by mainstream providers.

Speaking at a Committee for Economic Development of Australia event in Melbourne last week, Ms Hefren-Webb said the priorities were designed to improve outcomes by focusing on prevention as much as enforcement.

“Every older person deserves to feel safe, respected and heard, whether they’re receiving care in their own home, in the community or in residential care,” she said.

“These priorities are about strengthening protections, upholding rights and helping providers deliver the quality-of-care older people expect and deserve.”

According to the Commission, the priority areas were selected following analysis of regulatory data, sector intelligence and evidence about where older people are most vulnerable to harm. The regulator believes stronger prevention, earlier detection and more effective responses in these areas have the potential to deliver significant improvements across the system.

For providers, the priorities are intended to act as a roadmap for risk management and continuous improvement activities over the coming year.

The Commission said organisations should assess how the focus areas apply to their own services and consider whether current systems, policies and practices are sufficiently supporting safety, dignity, choice and quality care outcomes.

“A strong focus on sector-wide risks helps identify patterns of harm early, support timely intervention, and drive coordinated action to improve outcomes for older people,” Ms Hefren-Webb said.

“Ultimately, success will be measured by whether older people experience safer care, greater choice and stronger protection of their rights.”

While the priorities will shape future engagement and monitoring activity, the regulator stressed that providers remain accountable for all obligations under the Aged Care Act, not just the four highlighted areas.

The Commission also indicated its approach would remain risk-based and proportionate, combining education and guidance with regulatory action where necessary.