Latest news

General Practice in Aged Care Incentive resources 

Residential aged care homes (RACH) are continuing to see shifts in how GPs deliver care, with the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive (GPACI) now firmly embedded as the national model supporting more consistent and proactive primary care for residents.

The introduction of GPACI, which replaced the Aged Care Access Incentive, is intended to provide more structure to primary care for residents in aged care homes. Developed in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the program encourages regular visits, comprehensive care planning and improved continuity of care through MyMedicare‑registered practices. Since 1 July 2024, eligible GPs have been able to access incentive payments for delivering planned, ongoing care, strengthening clinical oversight and supporting better health outcomes for older people living in aged care.

The program reinforces the importance of strong collaboration between RACHs and GP practices. Effective communication and coordinated workflows between providers support regular GP attendance and timely care planning.

A range of resources are available to support providers, including:

• RACH Provider Information Kit
• Aged Care Residents Information Booklet
• Program Guidelines Changes Summary
• New GPACI MBS User Guide (for practices and GPs)
• Frequently Asked Questions for Residents and Carers

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Care finders improving access to aged care

WA Primary Health Alliance (WAPHA) commissions care finder service organisations across WA to help older people who need more intensive support to access aged care and other services. This service is supported by funding from the Australian Government under the PHN Program.

Care finders have already helped over 40,000 eligible older Australians find extra support. Learn more in this short video bringing together key elements of real cases highlighting the challenges older people can face when accessing health care.

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Ongoing support with Telehealth in aged care

Throughout 2025 the RACH Telehealth Project continued to strengthen digital health capabilities across participating homes. Through dedicated work to embed telehealth into business as usual, providers reported an increase in staff confidence to use telehealth, improved access to care and meaningful benefits for residents. Feedback highlighted improved resident choice, empowered staff, reduced barriers to accessing care and enhanced opportunities for residents to engage with family.

WAPHA supported with onsite visits, resources and training to help RACHs progress their goals and remains committed in 2026 to providing guidance, practical assistance and listening to opportunities for ongoing improvement.

Please email RACFTelehealthandAfterhours@wapha.org.au to learn more about using telehealth at your RACH.

Resources

Government updates

New Support at Home translated resources 

Resources and information about the Support at Home program are now available.

Translated videos:

• Support at Home program - overview for older people
• Support at Home program - contributions
• Support at Home overview for providers

Translated booklet:

• Support at Home program - Booklet for older people, families and carers
• Translated information | My Aged Care

Resources for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people:

• Support at Home booklet for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Support at Home classifications and funding fact sheet for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people
• Support at Home fact sheet for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people

eNRMC medication management - updated timeframes

Electronic National Residential Medication Chart (eNRMC) systems in RACHs will help improve safety, compliance and accountability, streamline workflows, enable better reporting and enhance communication between care teams.  

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and the Australian Digital Health Agency, working closely with software vendors, have revised the key dates for transitioning to electronic prescribing eNRMC systems and the cessation of transitional eNRMC products. 

Conformance deadline (1 April 2026) 

Non-conformant eNRMC vendors must demonstrate considerable progress towards achieving conformance by 1 April 2026. From 1 April 2026, orders created using non-conformant systems will require separate PBS prescriptions. Further advice regarding any changes or impacts will be provided to the sector prior to April 2026.

Implementation phase (October 2025 – December 2026)

Transitional Arrangement remains active only for eNRMC systems that have approved electronic prescribing conformant versions available. These eNRMC systems can continue to operate under the Transitional Arrangement until RACHs can safely upgrade to the new electronic prescribing conformant version. 

Transitional arrangements end (31 December 2026) 

All RACHs using an eNRMC system must either: Use an electronic prescribing conformant version of their eNRMC systems OR use non-conformant version of eNRMC for administration purposes only and revert to using separate paper/electronic PBS prescriptions or revert to paper NRMC. 

For more information and to stay up to date with changes, visit the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.

Forecast Opportunity - Support at Home Program Pooled Funding Trial

The Australian Government committed $5.2 million through the Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2024-25 to trial budget pooling over three years - which will allow Support at Home participants to combine their budgets to achieve economies of scale in service delivery. This forecast opportunity provides information relating to a possible upcoming grant opportunity, inviting Support at Home providers to apply to participate in the trial.

 
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