👋 Hey Legends,
It’s been a BIG one.
We deep-dived into NDIS and aged care updates (state-by-state because, let’s be real, every state’s doing their own thing). We tackled compliance chaos, price updates, good news for aged care workers, and that $2.2M provider fine that shook the sector. And of course, we dropped a spicy little podcast ep with Nicole from Empowered Livability:
🎙️ “If You’re Going to Be in This Sector, Don’t Be a Dickhead” — yes, we said it out loud.
And now? We’re here to give you the facts in real words, no fluff, no jargon, no boring compliance copy-paste.
SwiftyMatchy will always:
✅ Keep you in the loop on the juicy stuff — minus the snooze-factor
🚫 Call out dodgy behaviour
🔥 Celebrate good humans
🧠 Break it down in easy English
This week’s vibe: new leadership at the NDIA = new sheriff in town.
What does that mean for you?
⚡ More accountability
⚡ Tighter systems
⚡ (Hopefully) less bullsh*t
So grab a coffee (or a cheeky Coke Zero), and let’s get into it 👇
NDIS & Aged Care News | 13–19 October 2025
Let’s break it down nice and easy. We’ve got the important stuff happening across Australia and in each state/territory. You’ll find:
✅ What’s new
📍 What it means for you
🧠 What to keep an eye on
NATIONAL HIGHLIGHTS
🚨 NDIS crackdown on dodgy providers
$130+ million in dodgy STA (short-term accommodation) claims were shut down
Providers offering luxury “holidays” as support = gone
✅ More money now going to real supports and real people
💰 NDIS price updates dropping 24 Nov
New rates for art/music therapy
COVID-19 support items are being removed
✅ Check your invoices — and ask your provider if you’re unsure
❤️ National Carers Week love
3 million unpaid carers recognised and celebrated
✅ Friendly reminder: if you care for someone, support exists for you too
👵 New Aged Care Act starts 1 Nov
Older people = more rights, more say, more respect
✅ Talk to your provider if you’re not sure what’s changing
💸 Aged care workers got a pay rise
Pay boost kicked in on 1 October
✅ Better wages = better staff = better care
🟣 ACT
🗣 Providers in Canberra are prepping for aged care changes
✅ The ACT is on top of the upcoming law shifts — services are getting ready
🔵 NSW
🏥 Nurses and doctors are now visiting aged care homes (Mid North Coast)
✅ Quicker care at home = less hospital stress for families
🔴 VIC
🛑 Disability complaint bodies WON’T merge (for now)
✅ You can still use the same watchdogs if you need to make a complaint
🚋 Free public transport for carers during Carers Week
✅ Love that for them — let’s keep making life easier for unpaid carers
🟡 QLD
⚖️ Provider fined $2.2M after participant passed away from lack of care
✅ The system is starting to hold dodgy providers accountable — finally
🟠 SA
⛔ State-run aged care home caught using physical restraints
✅ Government stepped in fast — families deserve safe, respectful care
🟢 WA
🧒 Perth trial offers supported childcare for kids with high needs
✅ Parents get a break AND support — life-changing stuff
🔵 TAS
🗨️ Tasmania’s Speak Out conference was a big success
✅ Empowering people with disability to lead, speak up and connect
🟤 NT
🏆 Inclusion Awards celebrated local champions
✅ A chef running inclusive cooking classes was one of the big winners — we love to see it!
🎙 PODCAST PLUG
This week’s ep:
🎧 “If You’re Going to Be in This Sector, Don’t Be a Dickhead” with Nicole from Empowered Livability
We talk about:
What great support work really looks like
Where people go wrong
Why decency is non-negotiable
🎧 Tune in here: https://youtu.be/LQO8o-F2ZyY?si=2nvP960gskomvUbC
(Yep, it's spicy and useful — go listen.)
✅ DON’T BE A D*%#HEAD — THE QUICK GUIDE
Because you don’t want to be that person.
DO:
✔ Show up on time
✔ Know the participant’s goals
✔ Communicate clearly
✔ Respect choice & control
✔ Report what matters
✔ Use secure, trustworthy apps/platforms
DON’T:
❌ Wing it — ask if you’re unsure
❌ Ignore red flags or unsafe stuff
❌ Cut corners on documentation
❌ Hide info about how apps/platforms work
❌ Forget this work impacts real lives
✌️ WRAP-UP & WHAT’S COMING
🔍 NDIS planning changes are on the way (hello 2026 reforms)
📱 Platforms and matching tech are evolving — but vet your options
⚠️ Safety and quality? Still not optional
🎙 Podcast chats? More real talk is coming
💛 Until Next Week…
This sector? Still loud. Still messy. Still changing every five minutes.
But if you’re still reading — you’re clearly here for the right reasons.
We’ll be back in your inbox soon with more updates, tips, real stories, and unfiltered truths nobody else is saying out loud.
🎧 Hit play on the podcast if you haven’t already
📥 Share this with someone who needs to hear it
💬 Let us know what you want more of next week
Until then:
👢 Keep your boots high
🧠 Keep your standards higher
💋 Stay bratty, stay bold
— The SwiftyMatchy Crew
💌 Email Sarah: [email protected] (aka your NDIS myth-busting hype girl)