Quick take
New World Health Organization guidelines released in July say up to 45% of dementia risk comes down to things that can be changed — smoking, alcohol, social isolation, inactivity, air pollution, and conditions like high blood pressure and diabetes.
Professor Henry Brodaty AO, Senior Australian of the Year 2026, spoke to this data in Adelaide last month. He ran through his 14-step plan for reducing dementia risk and argued for better post-diagnostic support, coming back to his usual line: it’s never too early or too late to think about your brain health. More than 430,000 Australians are living with dementia.
Read the WHO announcement, or watch Professor Brodaty’s National Press Club address.
Dates coming up
- From August — Data Exchange (DEX) Stage 3 reporting changes take effect. Read the guide to what has changed.
- Tuesday 11 August, 1.00–2.00pm AEST — Higher Everyday Living Fees (HELF): ensuring transparency, choice and dignity for older people.
- Tuesday 18 August, 2.00–3.00pm AEST — Incident reporting in context, what’s changed.
- Tuesday 15 September, 2.00–3.00pm AEST — Data and analytics.
- Tuesday 17 November, 2.00–3.00pm AEDT — Culturally safe care.
The webinars are run by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Register on the Commission webinars page.
New this month
Aged Care Quality Bulletin #6
The Commission’s July bulletin. It keeps publishing resources and education to help providers move to the Aged Care Act 2024 and the strengthened Quality Standards.
Sector Performance Report, July to October 2025
Covers compliance activity, complaints, Serious Incident Response Scheme notifications and regulatory activity. This is the last period reported under the old Aged Care Act 1997, so it is a useful baseline.
Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards resources
Material for providers and workers on understanding and applying the strengthened Standards, in place since 1 November 2025.
Department organisational chart (PDF)
Current structure of the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, published 21 July 2026.
Worth keeping handy
Assistive Technology and Home Modifications list (PDF)
The definitive list of products, equipment and home modifications Support at Home participants can access through the AT-HM scheme.
Aged Care Translation Service
A free government service for eligible providers. It translates written documents as well as audio and video, into more than 70 languages including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander languages, and can produce Plain English, Easy Read and Large Print versions.
Financial reporting help desks (PDF)
A reference guide to help approved providers seek assistance from the right help desk.
Delivering inclusive aged care (PDF)
A booklet on delivering culturally responsive and inclusive services to older people from diverse backgrounds.
CHSP 2025–27 Manual
The current manual. The CHSP program page has the rest of the department’s guidance.
Varying and renewing provider registration
From the Commission’s webinar on 17 March 2026, answering provider questions on registration.