From "facility rounds" to "road warriors" - how the new legislation is reshaping the coordination of General Practice.
For years, the rhythm of aged care visits has been predictable: drive to a Residential Aged Care Facility (RACF), check in, and see a list of patients in one clinical setting. As of 1 November 2025, that rhythm has fundamentally changed.
With the operational commencement of the new Aged Care Act, the Australian healthcare landscape has pivoted. The introduction of the Support at Home programme is a logistical overhaul for General Practice.
At Northbridge Healthcare, we want to help you navigate these changes. Below, we answer the most critical questions about the Aged Care Act 2025 changes for GPs and what they mean for your practice's day-to-day operations.
When does the Aged Care Act 2025 start?
The new Aged Care Act officially began on 1 November 2025.
This date marks the transition from provider-centric governance to a rights-based framework. For GPs, the most significant operational change is the replacement of Home Care Packages (HCP) with the Support at Home program. This policy shift is designed to support 1.4 million older Australians to remain independent in their own homes, meaning high-acuity patients who would typically be in nursing homes are now staying in the community.
How does the "Support at Home" program change GP visits?
The program shifts the focus from "facility rounds" to a decentralized, mobile workforce model.
Under the earlier model, GPs could rely on visiting a single facility to see multiple patients. Now, patients are geographically dispersed across suburbs. This creates two specific challenges for practices:
- Decentralization: You can no longer batch patients in one location. Efficiency now relies on "geographic clustering" - rostering visits by suburb to minimize unbillable travel time.
- Increased Acuity: The patients remaining at home will have higher clinical needs. This is particularly challenging in rural areas, a concern frequentlyhighlighted by the Rural Doctors Association of Australia.
What are the safety risks for GPs visiting private homes?
Moving care into private homes introduces "Lone Worker" risks that do not exist in accredited facilities.
Unlike an RACF with security and nursing staff, a private home is an unstructured environment. Practices must update their protocols to align with Safe Work Australia guidelines for health care duties.
- Assess the Environment: Clinical teams must now have the soft skills to run in unstructured domestic environments.
- Implement Protocols: We recommend adhering to the RACGP Standards for home visits, which includes risk assessments for aggressive pets, ensuring safe access, and equipping staff with duress alarms.
How does the new Act affect billing and recruitment?
Practices must recruit for "mobile readiness" and ensure billing compliance under new scrutiny.
Recruitment: The "Itinerant Clinician" Profile
The ideal candidate for aged care work has changed. We are seeing a surge in demand for itinerant clinicians - GPs, nurses, and allied health professionals who can deliver high-acuity care in a home setting.
- Key Requirements: Candidates now need high autonomy, valid driver's licenses, and the ability to function without immediate peer support.
- Digital Skills: With the workforce becoming mobile, digital literacy is essential for accessing My Health Record and billing systems on the road.
Billing: Value for Money
The new Act introduces means-tested contributions for residents, which places pressure on providers to demonstrate value.
- Incentives: To offset travel costs, ensure your practice is utilizing the updated Bulk Billing Practice Incentive Program loadings where eligible.
- Compliance: GPs must ensure they use the correct MBS item numbers for home visits (not RACF specific items) and clearly document clinical necessity to withstand increased financial scrutiny.
People First. Always.
The transition to Support at Home is complex, but it is also an opportunity to deliver care where patients want it most - in the comfort of their own lives.
Navigating the Aged Care Act 2025 changes for GPs requires more than just clinical knowledge; it requires a workforce strategy that prioritizes safety, mobility, and human connection.
Need help staffing your mobile clinical team? Contact Northbridge Healthcare today.
