DEX Updates - Stage 1 & Data Exchange Protocols for CHSP
From 1 July 2025, DEX reporting requirements are changing to ensure services align to the new CHSP service list under the new Act. The changes will require system updates by providers. Providers will also need to change the way they collect and report data.
The two alternations required as from 1 July 2025 are:
Aligning the service types to the new Service Catalogue; and
Collecting MAC identifier (AC number) for all CHSP clients within your own CMS. The need to report the AC number to DEX will occur at a later date - anticipated to be 1 January 2026.
Providers will also need to manage requirements as detailed in the Data Exchange Protocols for CHSP (newly released document) -Data Exchange Protocols | Data Exchange - the Department are highlighting specifically the requirements surrounding Privacy (Chapter 5). These requirements relate to the collection of clients MAC IDs, the storing of this information and other identifiable info within DEX.
Videos: New Aged Care Act and Support at Home
The Department of Health, Disability & Ageing have developed videos to help service providers understand what the new date of 1 November 2025 means for them.
These videos explain how to:
set up new systems
train and prepare workers
talk to the older people in your care about the changes.
The Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS) grant funding will be available mid-July 2025.
The ACVVS funds community organisations to recruit, train and match volunteers to provide genuine friendship and companionship with residential aged care and Support at Home program recipients, with a focus on older people from particular linguistic, cultural and vulnerable backgrounds or circumstances who may be at greater risk of social isolation. The ACVVS replaced what was previously known as the Community Visitors Scheme in July 2023.
There are 3 eligible activities detailed:
Delivery of ACVVS face-to-face visits to residential aged care and Support at Home recipients
ACVVS Network Member; and
ACVVS Community of Practice Co-ordinators.
The grant will run from 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2031.
The Australian Government’s Support at Home programwill combine existing in-home aged care services into a single, simplified program designed to assist older people to live independently at home for longer.
Have your say on: pricing principles, data and information requirements, pricing methodology, pricing adjustments, priorities for future pricing advice.
Consultations closes on 18 July 2025 so get in quick and have your say.
Aged Care Act & Support at Home Comms Toolkit Launch
Join us for the online launch of the Communications Toolkit – we’ll walk through what’s included and how your organisation can put it to use.
We’ll cover
Why communication matters
What’s in the Toolkit
How to customise the content
Tips for using the Toolkit
Q&A
The Toolkit is being released in stages, and this event will showcase the full version.
What’s in the Toolkit? This practical resource saves you time and helps your organisation communicate clearly and confidently – whether you’re briefing staff, updating clients or informing your board.
It includes:
Editable templates for internal and external use
Audience-specific messages to reduce confusion
FAQs and staff scripts for clear frontline responses
Tools to promote compliance, manage risk and build trust.
Have you downloaded the Toolkit? Release 1.2 is available now HERE
This version has been updated with the new Act November start time.
Register for the launch
When: 31 July, 2:00 to 2:30 pm AEST
Where: MS Teams
Facilitated by: Enkindle Consulting
Presented by: The Grampians Sector Development Team,Hume Region Alliance, Eastern Sector Development Team, SSD Connect Alliance, Bayside City Council SSD, Bellarine Community Health, West Gippsland Health Care Group
The Report assesses an organisations progress to embedding W&R in their CHSP services. The report contains data questions relating to W&R Service Delivery, along with some administrative questions.
There have been a number of changes since the last report, designed to reduce duplication of data and make it easier for Providers to complete the report. There are a number of new questions relating to care planning processes, barriers, and use of multi-disciplinary approaches in Allied Health and Therapy.
If you have any questions relating to the W&R Report, please contact your FAM.
ABORIGINAL DEVELOPMENT
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Assessment Organisations
The Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessment pathway will commence in late July 2025/early August 2025.
The rollout will begin with a small number of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander organisations.
Thrive, elevate your performance from the inside out
The Grampians Sector Development Team, Hume Region Alliance, Bellarine Community Health and West Gippsland Healthcare Group are pleased to offer you some Training for all CHSP staff around Wellness and resilience called: Thrive, elevate your performance from the inside out.
This session will be 60min in length and facilitated by Ashley Whitehead from EQ Minds who presented at our May 2025 Best Practice in Ballarat.
This session will cover:
The Power of our Emotions and Emotional Contagion: Exploring how mood and mindset influence teams, and simple strategies to lift team culture and energy.
Micro Habits for Mental Health: How small, consistent wellbeing practices, grounded in mindfulness, can help build resilience, reduce overwhelm, and create space to recharge in the midst of busy days.
Thrive Through Change : Understanding the emotional impact of change and how to stay grounded through transitions using evidence-based wellbeing tools.
Boundaries for Wellbeing: Understanding the role of healthy boundaries in protecting energy, reducing compassion fatigue, and improving communication.
There are 3 sessions available to choose from (all 3 sessions will be the same content):
Tuesday 19 August 2025 @ 10-11am (AEST)
Wednesday 26 November 2025 @ 1-2pm (AEST)
Thursday 19 March 2026 @ 10-11am (AEST)
Target Audience: Suitable for all CHSP Service provider staff from front line staff right through to Executive and Board.
There are no limits to the number of attendees you can send.
For further information please email the Grampians Sector Development Team.
Cultural Perspective on Ageing, Dying & End of Life Care
Ballarat Regional Multicultural Council (BRMC) warmly invite you to join them for their next Cultural Conversations session:
Topic: Cultural Perspectives on Ageing, Dying & End-of-Life Care Date: Monday 5 August Time: 12:00pm – 1:00pm (Online) Cost: Free
This one-hour professional development opportunity will explore how different cultural beliefs and values shape experiences of ageing and end-of-life care.
It will provide practical insights to help you deliver culturally safe and responsive support, in line with the new Aged Care Quality Standards.
Don’t miss this important session—build your team’s cultural competency and strengthen your organisation’s compliance under the strengthened Aged Care Act.
The Grampians Sector Development Team is offering an educational session specifically for volunteers supporting CHSP services – Delivered Meals, Social Support etc.
This session will be presented by Kate Pascale & Associates and will be targeted toward the role of volunteers. The sessions will be presented virtually, via Zoom, so participants will need access to appropriate technology.
Volunteers: Documentation & Reporting - 6th August 2025
This course will look at what, who and when you should be documenting information.
We will provide an overview of the practices for documenting and reporting and why this skill is so important in our everyday work. We will explore what should be documented and reported and discuss the use of templates used in your workplace and recording verbatim language. We will also consider when things can go wrong and the importance of having clear documentation that can be reviewed.
Professional Development for Direct Care & Social Support Staff: Now - November 2025
The Grampians Sector Development Team is excited to share upcoming Professional Development training for Direct Care Staff – supporting both in-home services and social support activities.
The training will be delivered by Kate Pascale & Associates and will be held virtually via the Zoom platform.
5 August 2025 @ 2pm – 3.30pm (AEST)
Communicating with clients and managing challenging conversations. Register HERE
Communicating with Clients and managing challenging conversations. Register HERE
SAVE THE DATE
The Grampians Sector Development Team will be hosting the next CHSP Service Provider Network Meeting onThursday 4 September 2025 from 11am - 1pm.
The meeting will be held virtually via Zoom and all CHSP service providers across the region will be invited to attend.
We are currently finalising the agenda but are hoping to cover topics such as: current DEX requirements, priorities for CHSP providers before 1 November 2025 and all things assessment. We are hoping to have a representative from the Department of Health, Disability & Ageing in attendance for you to ask questions.
Registrations will open soon. Please add a save the date into your calendar now.
Departmental Response from Best Practice in May 2025
Following our May CHSP Service Provider Forum – Into the Future: Highlighting Excellence – several follow-up questions were raised for the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
The Grampians Sector Development Team submitted these questions to the Department and has recently received a response. However, this information has since been superseded by the most recent departmental communications and the CHSP Sector Readiness webinar held in June.
If you have any questions regarding the Aged Care Reforms, please don’t hesitate to contact the Grampians Sector Development Team on: sectordevelopment@bchc.org.au
Thank you for taking the time to read our newsletter.
If you have any feedback, questions or concerns regarding any of the information above, please reach out to us on the contact details below.
Melanie Perks
Sector Support & Development Manager
0409 945 301
melaniep@bchc.org.au
Sector Development Team
sectordevelopment@bchc.org.au
www.csdgrampians.org.au
Jimmy Driscoll
Aboriginal Development Officer
0491 176 010
jimmyd@bchc.org.au
Natalie Millar
Regional Advisor - Sector Support & Development
0491 091 699
nataliem@bchc.org.au
The Grampians Sector Development Team is auspiced by Ballarat Community Health, 12 Lilburne St, Lucas, VIC
