Aged Care Amendment (Registered Nurses Ensuring Quality Care) 2021

# Aged Care Amendment (Registered Nurses Ensuring Quality Care) 2021 ## What it does This bill requires aged care homes and flexible residential care facilities to have at least one registered nurse on duty at all times. The nurse would be responsible for both providing direct care to residents and overseeing care provided by other staff members. ## Why it matters Aged care residents are often vulnerable people with complex health needs. Having a qualified nurse always present means there's someone with proper medical training available immediately if something goes wrong, rather than relying solely on care workers without nursing qualifications. ## Key details - **Who's affected**: Aged care facilities providing residential care or flexible care in a residential setting (not home care services) - **When it starts**: The day after the bill receives Royal Assent (approval from the Governor-General) - **The definition**: "Registered nurse" means someone officially registered in their state or territory's nursing profession under national health practitioner laws — this ensures consistency across Australia