Star Ratings for residential aged care – design changes

Closed 13 Dec 2024

Opened 18 Nov 2024

Feedback updated 18 Mar 2025

We asked

Between November and December 2024, we sought your feedback on how Star Ratings are calculated and other proposed improvements.

You said

We received feedback from residential aged care providers, workers, peak bodies, older people and their support networks.

Approximately 271 people participated in the consultation through in-person and virtual sessions, online surveys and written submissions.

We heard support for:

  • changing the way the Compliance and Staffing ratings are calculated and displayed –providing more clarity on the quality of care in aged care homes
  • the introduction of half stars to the Overall Star Rating – helping people to make more informed choices about residential aged care
  • the display and explanation of environmental restraint policies alongside the Quality Measures rating – providing greater transparency around the use of these practices in aged care homes.

We did

We developed a report of findings. You can access the summary report here.

Star Ratings will transition to a re-designed Compliance rating from commencement of the new Aged Care Act on 1 July 2025.

From 1 October 2025, aged care homes need to meet care minute targets to achieve 3 or more stars for their Staffing rating.

We appreciate all those who provided input to the consultation – your feedback will help to ensure Star Ratings continues to be a valuable resource for all.

Overview

Star Ratings for residential aged care is getting a refresh. We want your feedback on how ratings are calculated and other proposed improvements.  

Star Ratings can help older people and their families compare the quality of aged care homes and make more informed choices.

We are changing the way some of the ratings are calculated, following the commencement of the new Aged Care Act. 

We want your feedback on:

  • how the Compliance rating is calculated  
  • how the Staffing rating is calculated 
  • additional changes based on early feedback from our evaluation.

Read the consultation paper here:

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Why your views matter

Your feedback is critical in shaping the policy and future design of Star Ratings and will help ensure that Star Ratings continues to support:

  • older people and their families to compare aged care homes and make more informed choices about their care
  • providers to understand their performance and drive improvement using nationally consistent measures to monitor, compare and improve their care.

Select 'Have your say' to:

  • register for a face to face consultation session:
    • Wollongong, NSW – Monday 25 November 2024
    • Brisbane, QLD – Tuesday 26 November 2024
    • Perth, WA – Tuesday 26 November 2024 
    • Adelaide, SA – Wednesday 27 November 2024
    • Melbourne, VIC – Thursday 28 November 2024
  • register for a virtual consultation session (28 November – 5 December  2024)
  • complete the online survey
  • lodge a written submission.

Audiences

  • Anyone from any background

Interests

  • Dementia
  • Home Care
  • Aged Care
  • Residential Aged Care
  • Short-Term Restorative Care
  • Strategic Policy
  • Policy Development