Do we need to notify the Commission of a new, moved or closed site?
New, moved or closed site or outlet: the notification lines the clauses we hold attach to it, the requirements it touches with why each applies, and the evidence to keep. Each line names its clause and the edition we hold; the decision to notify stays with you.
- notification lines
- 2 possible, depending on the answers
- requirements
- 23 mapped across 4 frameworks
- questions it asks
- 7
What the clauses say: the notification lines
| To | By when | Clause | Applies |
|---|---|---|---|
| Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission | within 14 days of becoming aware question | Aged Care Act s 167 and Rules 167-5 to 167-70 | Aged care |
| NDIS Quality and Safeguards Commission | as soon as practicable after the earlier of becoming aware it will occur and its occurring | Registration Rules Rules s 13 | NDIS |
The questions it asks
7 questions- Opening, moving or closing? (opening, moving, closing)
- Which registration does this change sit under? (aged care and NDIS, aged care only, NDIS only)
- Is it a residential care home under the Act?
- Is it a setting you control, rather than people's own homes?
- Is it a SIL dwelling (supported independent living)?
- Is it an SDA dwelling (specialist disability accommodation)?
- Are residents moving out?
Each has not sure: a line resting on it stays, as a question.
What your change log usually carries for it
A date, a label of your own (a site, a role, a service, never a person's name), the date you became aware, and often a status or an owner. Paste it as it is: the type column reads words such as “site”, “new site”, “outlet”, “location”, “premises” and “new location”. The answers go in one cell as key=value pairs.
The requirements it touches, and the evidence to keep
23 rowsAged Care Quality Standards
- ACQS Rules s 15-15(7): A new setting brings new risks to individuals, workers and operations the risk system must identify and review.
evidence to keepRisk assessment for the site, dated, entered in the risk register with owner and treatment. - ACQS Rules s 15-15(17): Emergency and disaster planning must cover the new setting.
evidence to keepEmergency and disaster plan updated to name the site, with the review date. - ACQS Rules s 15-15(14): Opening or closing a setting changes workforce needs.
evidence to keepWorkforce plan note for the site: roles, numbers and cover from the start date. - ACQS Rules s 15-25(2): Where services are delivered outside individuals' homes, Rules s 15-25(2) asks for a clean and comfortable environment that optimises individuals' sense of belonging, interaction and function. (when: Is it a setting you control, rather than people's own homes)
evidence to keepEnvironment check of the site before first use, dated and signed. - ACQS Rules s 15-25(4): The infection prevention and control system must extend to the new setting. (when: Is it a setting you control, rather than people's own homes)
evidence to keepIPC arrangements for the site: cleaning schedule, outbreak contact, IPC lead named. - ACQS Rules s 15-40(3): Closing a setting moves individuals to or from a provider; the transition must be coordinated. (when: closing)
evidence to keepTransition list for each individual affected by the the site closure, with the date and who was told. - ACQS Rules s 15-25(3): Equipment used at the new setting must meet Rules s 15-25(3) and individuals' needs. (when: Is it a setting you control, rather than people's own homes)
evidence to keepEquipment list for the site, each item checked before first use.
Aged Care Act 2024
- Aged Care Act s 167 and Rules 167-5 to 167-70: Section 167 lists changes in scale and changes to residential care homes under the Act among the prescribed changes; whether this site is one is your judgement, so the line is a question.
evidence to keepChange-of-circumstances entry for the site: date you became aware, the s 167 category you judged it under, date lodged or the reason it is not notifiable. - Aged Care Act s 175: Each residential care home under the Act needs at least one registered nurse on site and on duty at all times, unless the System Governor has granted an exemption (no more than 12 months) or the home delivers services only under the TCP. (when: Is it a residential care home under the Act)
evidence to keepRN roster for the site covering every shift from the start date, or the exemption decision. - Aged Care Act s 149(g): Moving residents out needs continuity of care plans and transfer of records. (when: Are residents moving out)
evidence to keepContinuity of care plan per resident and a record of records transferred within 28 days of request. - Aged Care Act s 176 and Rules 176-5 to 176-35: A residential care provider (outside TCP, MPSP and NATSIFACP) meets each home's care minutes averages every quarter, per resident per day. (when: Is it a residential care home under the Act)
evidence to keepCare minutes plan for the site from the first quarter it operates. - Aged Care Act s 149(f): A resident may be asked to leave only on a prescribed ground; the home closing is one. (when: Are residents moving out)
evidence to keepRecord of the ground relied on for each resident moving from the site.
NDIS Practice Standards
- NDIS Practice Standards Core 10.1: Risks from the new setting must be identified, analysed, prioritised and treated.
evidence to keepRisk assessment for the site in the risk register. - NDIS Practice Standards Core 16a.2: Emergency planning must cover preparing for and responding to emergencies at the new setting.
evidence to keepEmergency and disaster plan updated for the site. - NDIS Practice Standards Core 18.2: The support environment must be adjusted and monitored so it stays fit for purpose. (when: Is it a setting you control, rather than people's own homes)
evidence to keepAccessibility and adjustment check of the site, dated. - NDIS Practice Standards Core 24.8: Non-home settings need routine cleaning. (when: Is it a setting you control, rather than people's own homes)
evidence to keepCleaning schedule for the site. - NDIS Practice Standards Core 22.1: Closing a setting is a transition from the provider that must be planned and documented with each participant. (when: closing)
evidence to keepTransition plan per participant affected by the the site closure. - NDIS Practice Standards Core 16.5: Where supports change, alternative arrangements must be explained to and agreed with each participant. (when: closing)
evidence to keepRecord of alternative arrangements agreed with each participant. - NDIS Practice Standards Module 5A, 5.6: Shared living needs governance oversight of emergency planning with participants consulted. (when: Is it a SIL dwelling (supported independent living))
evidence to keepEmergency arrangements for the the site dwelling, rehearsed, with participant consultation recorded. - NDIS Practice Standards Module 5, 6.1: An SDA dwelling must meet its design type, category and density requirements. (when: Is it an SDA dwelling (specialist disability accommodation))
evidence to keepEnrolment evidence for the the site dwelling. - NDIS Practice Standards Core 22.2: Each transition out of the closing setting carries risks to identify, document and respond to. (when: closing)
evidence to keepTransition risk note per participant moving from the site. - NDIS Practice Standards Core 16.1: Day-to-day operations are managed so supports are not disrupted by the change of site.
evidence to keepContinuity check for the site: rosters, transport and contacts from the first day.
NDIS Provider Registration Rules
- Registration Rules Rules s 13: Rules s 13 names the locations a provider operates from and the geographic areas it serves as a change in scale to notify.
evidence to keepNotification of changes and events entry for the site: date, change type selected, portal reference.
Check one changeSee the specimen registerThe one-page sample register