Understanding Support at Home compliance - a guide for Meal Providers

The Support at Home program introduces new standards for all Meal Providers delivering meals to older Australians under government-funded aged care. Here’s what’s required and how to stay compliant.

What the new Support at Home standards mean for Meal Providers

As of 1 November 2025, the Support at Home program has replaced Home Care Packages (HCP), bringing in new standards for meal services delivered under the Aged Care Act 2024.

These new meal requirements apply to any registered aged care provider preparing or supplying meals, snacks or drinks to older people at home, or through community and respite programs.

If you deliver meals to Support at Home recipients via Cookaborough, it’s important to understand what’s expected and how to stay compliant.

The summary below outlines the key requirements and what they mean for your business.

1. Nutritious and appetising meals

Meal Providers must ensure that any meals, snacks and drinks delivered through government-funded aged care services are nutritious and appetising, having regard to the needs and preferences of older people.

Nutritious meals support health, wellbeing and independence. Older Australians generally have higher needs for protein, calcium and vitamins B6 and D, which help maintain strength and prevent malnutrition.

Appetising meals are those with an appealing aroma, appearance and taste. While it’s not expected that every individual preference is met, providers must clearly communicate what their menu offers – including any specialised dietary options such as vegetarian, halal, or texture-modified meals.

2. Annual dietitian assessment

Providers must, at least annually, have an accredited practising dietitian assess their meals, snacks and drinks to ensure they:
(a) are appetising
(b) are appropriate for the nutrition needs of older people accessing funded aged care services, including those with specialised dietary needs
(c) reflect evidence-based guidelines and practice.

The dietitian assessment confirms that meals meet the nutritional needs of older people and are suitable in taste, texture and presentation. An onsite assessment is recommended wherever possible, though remote reviews are acceptable when access to a dietitian is limited.

3. Quality Assurance Framework

Providers must implement a Quality Assurance Framework (QAF) to continuously improve the meals, snacks and drinks they deliver.
This framework must take into account:
(a) the satisfaction of older people with the meals, snacks and drinks they are provided
(b) the assessments and recommendations of the dietitian.

The purpose of the QAF is to ensure that feedback and dietitian findings lead to ongoing improvement in the quality, taste, nutrition and suitability of the meals provided to older Australians.

How compliance is regulated

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is responsible for regulating compliance with the meal requirements under the Aged Care Act 2024.

While Meal Providers themselves are not required to register under the Act, Care Providers — who are the registered entities — are accountable for ensuring all associated providers, including subcontracted Meal Providers, meet the required standards.

This means Care Providers must be able to demonstrate that the meals they supply (or arrange through third parties) are:

• assessed by a dietitian at least annually

• supported by a Quality Assurance Framework

• nutritious, appetising and suited to the needs and preferences of older people.

Meal Providers play an essential role in helping Care Providers meet these obligations by maintaining accurate recipes, clear ingredient and allergen information, and valid dietitian assessments.

How Cookaborough supports Meal Providers

Cookaborough’s platform is designed to help Meal Providers meet these new Support at Home standards confidently and transparently.

Through Cookaborough, Meal Providers can:

• Maintain complete and accurate recipes for every meal on their menu.

• Clearly display ingredients, allergens and dietary information to customers and Care Providers.

• Access Cookaborough’s partner Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) service for their annual menu review - available at a significantly lower cost than arranging independent assessments

• Provide Care Providers and dietitians with access to the information needed to assess compliance.

• Issue automated, compliant invoices under the Support at Home framework, using the correct payment format and codes.

  
  

Resources

Meal requirements for in-home aged care