Consultation Hub

Earlier in 2025, over 200 participants from local government aged care providers and sector peak bodies shared their views on aged care changes.

Thank you to everyone who participated.

Local government aged care providers told us they:

• have stable and experienced workforces and many volunteers
• often serve as a provider of last resort in rural and remote areas or for people with complex needs​
• help older people to understand the aged care system, including referrals to other support services and programs
• have strong relationships and knowledge within their communities.

Providers raised concerns about:

• providing aged care services with different funding arrangements, including the setting and collecting of participant contributions
• increased costs and resources to deliver services in rural and remote areas and for people with complex needs
• meeting community expectations to help older people navigate the aged care system and manage their cases
• balancing local council governance and community consultation requirements, with the operational and business requirements to deliver aged care services
• attracting and retaining staff in rural and remote areas, the cost of training and registering volunteers, and offering competitive employee wages
• understanding the transition to the new aged care system and changes to provider obligations and funding.

We are considering all feedback for future policy decisions.

If you would like to provide any further feedback on the delivery of aged care services by local governments, please contact us at AgedCareMarket@health.gov.au

Between 2 April and 13 May 2025, we sought your feedback on the consultation version of the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) prepared for the DIR 215 licence application (field trial of genetically modified canola from Miruku Australia Pty Ltd).

During the 6-week consultation period, we received advice from prescribed Government agencies, the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee, and the public.

We heard support for:

• the proposed limits and controls listed in the RARMP
• the uncertainties identified in the RARMP
• the overall conclusions of the RARMP.

Some submissions sought clarification on the potential for increased weediness as a result of the inserted fusion protein, the ability to inspect for related species, and on oversight of the proposed sensory testing.

We analysed the feedback provided during the public consultation process in finalising the RARMP. The issues raised and how they were addressed can be found in Appendices A and B of the final RARMP.

The Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence to Miruku Australia Pty Ltd for their research work with the GM canola on 16 June 2025. More details, including the final version of the RARMP and the licence, are available at DIR 215 | Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.

We appreciate all those who provided input to the consultation – your feedback will help to ensure that any risks posed by gene technology to people and the environment continue to be managed.

Between 17 March to 28 April we sought your feedback on the consultation version of the Risk Assessment and Risk Management Plan (RARMP) prepared for DIR-214 licence application (Trial of a genetically modified (GM) vaccine for the prevention of respiratory disease in horses). 

During the 6-week consultation period we received email advice from prescribed Government agencies and the Gene Technology Technical Advisory Committee but did not receive any public feedback.

We heard support for:

• the thoroughness of the RARMP
• the proposed limits and controls listed in the RARMP
• the overall conclusions of the RARMP

We analysed the feedback provided during the public consultation process and took into account submitter suggestions to improve clarity on the methods of decontamination and the origin of the genetic material inserted into the GMO in finalising the RARMP (comments addressed in Appendix A).

The Gene Technology Regulator issued a licence to The University of Queensland for their research work with the GM vaccine for horses on 4 June 2025. More details are available at DIR 214 | Office of the Gene Technology Regulator.

We appreciate all those who provided input to the consultation – your feedback will help to ensure the OGTR continues to manage any risks posed by gene technologies to people and the environment.