System Governor

November 20, 2025

🏛️ The System Governor in Aged Care: Role, Responsibilities, and Impact

The aged care sector serves a fundamental purpose: supporting older people with the services they need to live comfortably and with dignity. Overseeing the machinery of this essential system is a body known as the System Governor. This role is central to maintaining the stability, integrity, and performance of aged care services across the nation.

The System Governor operates as the stewardship component of the aged care system. It is responsible for making sure the system functions effectively and meets the needs of the individuals who rely on it. Its work involves setting the direction for the sector through policy and regulation, while also checking that providers meet expected standards.

Responsibilities of the System Governor

The scope of the System Governor's duties is broad, touching upon nearly every facet of aged care delivery. These responsibilities are designed to provide confidence to older people and their families that the system is stable, accessible, and high quality.

Supporting Fair Access

One of the primary goals of the System Governor is to support fair access to aged care services. This means working to make sure older people can receive services appropriate for their needs, no matter where they reside. This involves:

Identifying barriers to access and developing strategies to overcome them.
Making sure people in remote areas have options for receiving care.
Guaranteeing that service availability matches population needs.

Continuity of Care

Another key function is supporting continuity of care. Older people deserve security in knowing that disruptions will not halt their essential services. The System Governor works to keep services running, even when an aged care provider faces service delivery challenges or closure. This involves monitoring the market and acting when necessary to protect residents and clients.

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Policy Development and Education

The System Governor is actively involved in developing policy aimed at bettering the aged care system. By reviewing current practices and forecasting future needs, it creates frameworks that promote best practice among providers. Additionally, this body carries out education activities to build the capability of providers, helping them deliver services that adhere to the highest standards. Examples might include:

Releasing guides or holding workshops on new regulations or care standards.

Accountability and Transparency

The System Governor holds providers accountable for their performance and promotes transparency across the sector.

Public Register of Coroner’s Reports

A specific duty involves managing a public register of coroner’s reports. This register records reports that include a recommendation for the department following the death of someone receiving aged care services. This serves as a mechanism for review and learning, with the System Governor reporting annually to the Inspector-General of Aged Care on the register’s contents and any subsequent departmental actions taken in response to the recommendations.

Assurance Activities

The department uses assurance activities under the guidance of the System Governor to check how services are managed and delivered. These checks can result in recommendations being made directly to a provider. Providers must formally respond, detailing:

Whether they accept the recommendation and what steps they have taken or will take as a result.
Reasons for not accepting the recommendation (if applicable).

System Governor in Practice

The work of the System Governor is visible through various initiatives aimed at improving information and accountability in aged care.

Star Ratings

A practical example of governance in action is the release of Star Ratings for residential aged care homes. This initiative provides older people and their families with clear, comparable information about the quality of care provided by different homes. By publishing this data, the System Governor assists older people in making informed decisions about where they will receive their care.

Addressing Specific Needs

The System Governor also addresses specific demographic and geographic needs, such as:

Developing culturally safe policies to support diverse groups.
Focusing on better access for older people living in remote and regional locations.
Issuing grant programs for provider education, furthering the capacity of the workforce.

The System Governor’s role is one of ongoing stewardship and oversight. It sets the standards, watches the performance of the system, and works to improve the delivery of care so that all older people receive respectful, appropriate services when they need them most. Its focus is on making the aged care system dependable and fair for every Australian.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

What is the main function of the System Governor?

The main function is to oversee the entire aged care system, setting policy, supporting fair access to services, and maintaining the continuity and quality of care for older Australians.

How does the System Governor affect aged care providers?

The System Governor develops policies that providers must follow, offers educational support, and conducts assurance activities to check service delivery. If recommendations are made after an assurance check, providers must formally respond and report on their actions.

Does the System Governor manage the Star Ratings system?

Yes, the System Governor is involved in releasing Star Ratings for residential aged care homes. This helps older people assess quality and make informed selections regarding their care.

How does the System Governor address service disruptions?

The System Governor supports continuity of care by developing strategies and interventions to make sure older people continue to receive necessary services, even if their current provider experiences operational challenges.

More Glossary items

War widow/widower pensions

War widow and widower pensions provide vital financial support to the surviving partners of veterans. These government payments are generally non-taxable and are treated differently in aged care assessments, often reducing or eliminating means-tested care fees for residential or home care services. Understanding how these pensions interact with aged care fees can help recipients plan their finances and maintain access to essential services.

Veteran and war widow/widower pensioners

This guide explains aged care support options for Australian veterans and war widows/widowers. It covers eligibility for government-funded aged care services, access to Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA) support, and how pensions affect aged care fees. The article highlights the importance of recognising the unique needs of this group to ensure respectful and appropriate care.

Substitute decision-making

Substitute decision-making is used when an older person can no longer make important decisions on their own. A substitute decision-maker steps in to make choices about medical treatment, personal care, and living arrangements. Their role is to follow the person’s known wishes or act in their best interests when those wishes are not clear. Families can plan ahead by legally appointing someone they trust, and any valid Advance Care Directive must be followed. Understanding how substitute decision-making works helps ensure the person’s rights, preferences, and wellbeing remain at the centre of care.

Supported decision-making

Supported decision making is a rights-based approach that helps you stay in control of your life as you receive aged care services. Instead of others making choices for you, this approach focuses on giving you the information, tools, and support you need to make your own decisions. This support can come from family members, friends, or independent advocates who help you understand options and express your preferences.

Statement of Rights

The Aged Care Statement of Rights outlines the protections every older person can expect when receiving funded aged care services in Australia. It affirms core rights such as independence, choice, equitable access, quality and safe care, privacy, and clear communication. The Statement also ensures that individuals can speak up, provide feedback, or make complaints without fear of unfair treatment. For providers, it establishes clear responsibilities to act in line with these rights and demonstrate genuine understanding in daily practice. This framework places the dignity, identity, and preferences of the older person at the centre of all care decisions.

Self-advocacy

Self-advocacy is the ability to speak up for your needs, preferences, and rights when receiving aged care. It helps maintain autonomy, ensure quality services, and improve communication with care providers. By asking questions, expressing preferences, raising concerns, and keeping simple records, individuals can take an active role in directing their care. When extra support is needed, family, friends, or independent advocates can help ensure the person’s voice remains central to all decisions.

Sanction or Sanctions in place

Sanctions in Australian Aged Care are serious regulatory actions taken when a provider fails to meet required quality and safety standards. This article explains what sanctions are, why they are imposed, and the steps that lead to them, including Notices to Remedy and decisions by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. It outlines common sanction conditions, their impact on providers, and what they mean for residents. The summary also answers key questions about sanction duration, consequences for ongoing non-compliance, how to find sanctioned facilities, and resident rights. The goal is to help readers clearly understand how sanctions protect the safety and wellbeing of older Australians.

Registered supporter

A Registered Supporter is a formally recognised role under the new Australian Aged Care Act. This role helps an older person understand information, explore their options, and communicate their decisions about aged care services. The supporter does not make decisions on behalf of the person. Instead, they strengthen the older person’s ability to make their own choices. The Registered Supporter may request information from providers, explain options, and assist the older person in expressing their preferences. The role is overseen by the System Governor to ensure transparency, accountability, and protection of the older person’s rights.