Additional Governing Body Obligations
Categories 4, 5, 6
Go to Key Resources
Overview
If your organisation is registered in Categories 5 or 6, your governing body must meet additional obligations:
A majority of members must be independent and non-executive
At least one member must have clinical care experience
The board must include a diverse mix of skills, knowledge and experience
A Quality Care Advisory body must be in place
You must offer to establish a Consumer Advisory body at least once every 12 months
If your organisation is registered in Category 4, your governing body must meet these additional obligations:
A Quality Care Advisory body must be in place
You must offer to establish a Consumer Advisory body at least once every 12 months
Who’s exempt from these additional obligations?
Additional governing body obligations do not apply to:
State or territory-approved providers, including local government
Providers in Categories 1, 2 and 3
Providers with fewer than 5 board members and fewer than 40 clients
Approved Aboriginal Community Controlled Organisations
Key Resources
Provider Governance Policy
The Provider Governance Policy outlines the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s expectations of providers and guiding principles of good governance. It includes:
Definitions and principles of good governance
Provider governance obligations
How the Commission collects provider governance information
How the Commission responds to provider governance risks.
Created by: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Aged Care Act Communications Toolkit
As the new Act takes effect, providers must ensure their governing boards understand their obligations.
This Toolkit bridges the gap between government-issued materials and what providers need on the ground.
The Toolkit features easy-to-read board briefing papers covering:
High Quality Care (pages 18-20)
Establishment of a Legislated Advisory Bodies
(pages 114-119)
Created by: SSD Connect Alliance and Victorian SSD Partners with Enkindle Consulting
Updated: 28 July 2025
Provider governance checklist
Use this checklist to help you set aside time – at least once a year – to review the procedures you have in place and ensure you're meeting your provider governance obligations.
Created by: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Consumer advisory body – fact sheet
A fact sheet for providers on their consumer advisory body obligations and good practice guidance for supporting consumer advisory bodies.
Created by: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Quality care advisory body – fact sheet
A fact sheet that introduces the responsibility for providers to establish and continue a quality care advisory body.
Created by: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
Clinical governance in aged care
Webpage with various clinical governance resources.
Created by: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
What directors need to know about governing for quality aged care
This article outlines how boards can strengthen governance in aged care. Key points include:
Prioritising client safety, dignity and outcomes
Improving clinical literacy among directors
Diversifying board skills and perspectives
Strengthening systems for risk, quality and complaints
Embedding accountability and continuous improvement
Created by: Australian Institute of Company Directors
Reading time: 5 minutes
Your questions answered
Answers to frequently asked questions about governing body obligations and determinations.
Created by: Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission