Funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
EY is delivering the Aged Care Business and Workforce Advisory Service to provide practical and tailored advice to eligible aged care providers.
Eligible residential aged care and home care providers can now apply for free, independent and confidential advice in relation to business, financial and workforce challenges. Applications from CHSP providers may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. These services are funded by the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing and has been extended to 30 June 2026. Click here to see some examples and case studies of the services that we provide.
To complete this application, you will need to gather some information regarding your organisation including size, services delivered and workforce.
Providers can submit an application for support through this portal.
Eligibility for these services includes residential aged care and home care providers. Applications from CHSP providers may also be considered on a case-by-case basis. Application information will be used by EY to undertake an initial eligibility review. The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is responsible for authorising EY to deliver approved services and will use application information to assess a provider’s eligibility and priority level.
In assessing applications, the Department will consider factors including location, service type, size and/or specialisation, as well as previous supports provided.
Providers are encouraged to email agedcareadvisory@au.ey.com for any further enquiries about the program and supports available.
Practical advice and support is available for eligible providers
Eligible providers will receive practical, tailored support designed to help respond to your most pressing business and workforce needs. Our reports aim to provide actionable insights and guidance to enhance your operational performance in line with industry standards and best practices. Our reports are confidential and will only be shared with the Department under the consent of the provider.
We work with Boards, Executive and Managers to identify and provide advice on the critical challenges for your organisation so you can get on with the business of delivering high quality care for older Australians.
Business Advisory Service
There are five broad business advisory services offered as part of this program, including:
- Financial Performance Review
- Financial Forecast and Business Plan Review
- Funding Review
- Corporate Strategy Appraisal
- Business Performance Review
The scope of these services vary and are designed to address concerns including but not limited to:
- Cash flow management
- Occupancy
- Direct care costs
- Budgeting
- Pricing of service offerings
- Impact of reforms on financial performance, including known future reforms
- Business strategy, including options and next steps for Boards
- Level of demand for service/local competition
- Other relevant financial matters depending on your particular circumstances
There are five broad workforce advisory services offered as part of this program, including:
- Workforce Planning
- Organisation Design
- Workforce Management
- Culture and Leadership
- Human Resources Process Optimisation
These services are designed to address concerns relating to:
- Workforce management and quality issues stemming from low workforce supply, impact of staffing ratios and care minutes, and reliance on agency staff
- Back-end human resources processes including rostering, payroll, recruitment, and onboarding
- Organisational culture and leadership, including how to flourish as a board or executive team in the context of broader aged care reforms, including preparing for known future reforms
Providers can apply for services using the application form. We may contact you for clarification on your application. While EY will provide the services, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing will determine eligibility and provide final approval. At the time of application, you will be asked to consent to the Department providing EY with the financial information. EY will only request this information once approved.
EY will process your application and may contact you to clarify any outstanding questions. Upon processing, the Department will determine eligibility and authorise services. Providers will generally receive an outcome of their application within three business days. Successful providers will receive an email notification and will be contacted by EY to discuss application information, the engagement process, questions, information requests, and next steps. Providers who lodged an unsuccessful application will receive an email advising them of the outcome and reasons why.
We look to meaningfully engage with providers to understand the root cause of your business and workforce challenges. We may require site visits and deeper leadership consultation to develop more practical and incisive advice for your organisation. EY aims to complete reports in a timely manner. This will be dependent on the complexity of your circumstances, timeliness of data sharing and the level of engagement required.
Eligible providers receive a strategic report covering your operating context, and evidence-based findings and recommendations focused on improving efficiency and performance through actionable steps and “quick wins”. EY will independently and confidentially deliver the reports directly to the provider. A copy will only be provided to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing under the consent of the provider.
Feedback is critical to continuous service delivery improvement, and we will incorporate your feedback as part of ongoing evaluation of the program. While your report is confidential, we will also provide strategic insights to the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, including innovative solutions to provider challenges.
For further enquiries, please contact agedcareadvisory@au.ey.com
View the department webpage for general information on financial viability and capability support for aged care providers.
Providers can also refer to the Business and Workforce Advisory Service Frequently Asked Questions for more information about the service.
EY is a professional services firm with extensive experience working with government, regulators, and aged care providers, helping to deliver on complex challenges as the aged care sector implements major reforms. We will work providers to quickly understand the situation, support them, and provide practical, guiding pathways to a sustainable future delivering quality aged care services.