Registered Supporters – What are they?

Support at Home, the Commonwealth Government’s new approach to home care, launched on 1 November, bringing significant changes to the way your home care services are provided.

We know that big changes like this can often raise more questions than answers. To ensure you feel informed and confident about the new system of care, we’ll be sharing monthly updates on key Support at Home topics. This month, we’re looking at registered supporters – what they are, and how they can help you get the most out of your aged care services and supports.

Some background

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found that the old Aged Care Act was no longer fit for purpose. It was seen as being structured around the needs of providers and funding bodies, rather than the needs of the people accessing services.

The new rights-based Act, which came into effect on 1 November 2025, puts the rights of older people first. One way it does this is by establishing a legal framework for the registration of supporters of care recipients. The thinking here is that this will embed supported decision-making across the aged care system.

The registered supporter role is one of the changes under the new Act, which aims to promote the older persons’ right to be supported to make their own decisions.

What is a Registered Supporter?

A registered supporter is someone you choose – a person you trust, like a family member, carer, or close friend. They can help you to make decisions, communicate with your service providers, and understand your options. You can even choose to have more than one registered supporter, because your need for support can vary, depending on the situation you’re in, and the decisions you need to make.

What does a Registered Supporter do?

A registered supporter replaces the old regular and authorised representatives in My Aged Care. Their purpose is to promote your right to be supported to make your own decisions. This means you still make and communicate decisions about your care on your own, and your aged care provider will continue to go directly to you for any decisions.

Registered supporters may:

• Help you to understand information about your care
• Help you to explore your options, and understand what they might mean for you
• Help you to communicate your choices and decisions
• Request, access, or receive information to assist you
• Speak to My Aged Care, aged care assessors, aged care providers, and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on your behalf.

Registered supporters do not:

• Automatically have legal decision-making authority
• Act as a substitute decision-maker: Unlike a guardian or someone with enduring power of attorney, a registered supporter can’t make decisions on your behalf unless they also hold legal authority under other laws
• Override your right to make your own choices: providers must still go directly to you for decisions, even if you have a registered supporter.

In some cases, a registered supporter also has guardianship, enduring power of attorney or similar legal authority. These people are called Appointed Decision-Makers.

About Appointed Decision-Makers

• Appointed Decision Makers are legally appointed under state or territory law
• They can only make decisions within their legal authority
• Depending on the older person’s situation, they may also be the nominated registered supporter.

What if I don’t want to have a Registered Supporter?

Not everyone will want or need a registered supporter. You may feel your family, friends, and carers are already supporting you to make your own decisions, and there is no need for them to become registered supporters. If this is the case, there’s no need to nominate someone.

Legal Duties of Registered Supporters

All registered supporters have duties under the new Act that they must comply with, including:

• Promoting the will and preferences of the person they are supporting – even when they don’t agree with their decisions.
• Supporting the person only as much as is needed for the older person to make their own decisions.
• Acting honestly, diligently, and in good faith at all times.
• Avoiding or managing any conflicts of interest. 

How do I nominate a Registered Supporter?

If you would like to nominate a registered supporter, first have a conversation with the person you wish to nominate. If they agree to the registration, you can nominate them by:

• Calling My Aged Care on 1800 200 422
• Completing and submitting the Registration of a Supporter form
• Requesting to register a supporter relationship in the ‘Support Networks’ section of your My Aged Care Online Account
• Requesting to register a supporter relationship when applying for an aged care assessment
• Speaking with an aged care assessor at your assessment
• Speaking with an Aged Care Specialist Officer (ACSO) – you can book an appointment with an ASCO call 1800 227 475.

Opting Out

If you or your registered supporter chooses to opt out of the registered supporter relationship, you can:

• Call my Aged Care on 1800 200 422
• Log in to your My Aged Care Online Account and select the opt out button

We’re here to help

At Kirinari, we believe in care that supports independence, confidence, and connection, and the introduction of Support at Home, including the creation of the registered supporter role, reflects a stronger focus on personal choice and wellbeing.

We understand these reforms can feel complex, but you don’t have to navigate them alone. Our caring and knowledgeable team can help you understand what’s changing and how to make the most of the support available.

To learn more about the Registered Supporters, or the Support at Home program, contact our team on 1300 547 462. We’re here to help you every step of the way.