2026 Australian Source Brief - Star Ratings and Quality Regulation
2026 Australian Source Brief
Sector evidence
Sector body
June 2026
Next review not yet scheduled
New Zealand
Medium confidence
published
SNZ editorial review
Evidence boundary: This record summarises the cited source. It does not establish local availability, individual eligibility, or professional advice.
Short Answer
Source: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Star Ratings Explained (2024) — https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/star-ratings (opens in a new tab).
Key Points
- •Total care minutes (RN, EN, PCW, AIN)
- •Registered nurse (RN) care minutes (EN time can count for up to 10% of the RN target)
Full Summary & Notes
Source: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Star Ratings Explained (2024) — https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/star-ratings (opens in a new tab). Each facility receives an overall star rating calculated from four sub-domains: Source: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Star Ratings Technical Specification (2024). Source: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, Star Ratings Quarterly Report, Q2 2024. Two significant changes were made to the Star Ratings system under the new Aged Care Act 2024, effective from late 2025 and visible in the May 2026 quarterly update. The Compliance rating was redesigned to incorporate graded assessment against the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, responding to a Royal Commission recommendation. * Regulatory decision must relate to delivery of funded aged care services at that home. Homes must now meet both legislated care minutes targets to receive 3 or more stars: - Total care minutes (RN, EN, PCW, AIN) - Registered nurse (RN) care minutes (EN time can count for up to 10% of the RN target) - https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/star-ratings-for-residential-aged-care/changes (opens in a new tab) (accessed 9 Jun 2026) - https://www.health.gov.au/news/changes-to-staffing-rating-for-aged-care-star-ratings (opens in a new tab) (accessed 9 Jun 2026) Sources: ACQSC, Star Ratings; HealthCERT, Understanding Rest Home Audit Reports. - Star ratings were a direct recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2021) - The system was **fa
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