Comply with Serious Incident Response Scheme (aged care)
Registered aged care providers must maintain an incident management system and notify Priority 1 reportable incidents within 24 hours and Priority 2 within 30 days.
Who must comply
Registered aged care providers (all registration categories covered by Rules s164-1).
What triggers it
A reportable incident that occurred, is alleged or is suspected in connection with funded aged care services.
When due
Priority 1 within 24 hours (missing information within 5 days); Priority 2 within 30 days.
Evidence required
Incident management system document, incident register, notifications via the My Aged Care provider portal, investigation and remedial action records, worker training records.
Max penalty
Civil penalty of up to 250 penalty units ($91,000) for failing to notify a reportable incident (Aged Care Act 2024 s165A); breach of a condition of registration
Who must comply with this? The applicability test by industry, business structure and size.
Summary
Under the Aged Care Act 2024 (in force from 1 November 2025), registered providers must maintain an incident management system that meets the Aged Care Rules 2025 (s164; Rules ss164-10 to 164-45) and notify reportable incidents to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner (s165A). Reportable incidents (s16) include unreasonable use of force, unlawful sexual contact or inappropriate sexual conduct, psychological or emotional abuse, unexpected death, stealing or financial coercion by a worker, neglect, use of a restrictive practice other than in accordance with the Rules, and unexplained absence. Priority 1 incidents are notified within 24 hours of becoming aware (Rules s165A-25), with any missing information within 5 days; Priority 2 incidents within 30 days (s165A-30). Incident records are kept for 7 years (Rules s164-25).
Enforced by
Source legislation
Industries
Topics
Related
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Reading
Frequently asked questions
- Who must comply with Serious Incident Response Scheme (aged care)?
- Registered aged care providers (all registration categories covered by Rules s164-1).
- What triggers Serious Incident Response Scheme (aged care)?
- A reportable incident that occurred, is alleged or is suspected in connection with funded aged care services.
- When is Serious Incident Response Scheme (aged care) due?
- Priority 1 within 24 hours (missing information within 5 days); Priority 2 within 30 days.
- What is the maximum penalty for Serious Incident Response Scheme (aged care)?
- Civil penalty of up to 250 penalty units ($91,000) for failing to notify a reportable incident (Aged Care Act 2024 s165A); breach of a condition of registration
- What evidence is required for Serious Incident Response Scheme (aged care)?
- Incident management system document, incident register, notifications via the My Aged Care provider portal, investigation and remedial action records, worker training records.
Source: https://agedcarequality.gov.au/providers/serious-incident-response-scheme. Rules Mate is not a law firm. Always verify against the live regulator source before acting.