Fact check: Do aged care homes really have 24/7 RNs 99% of the time?

Mark Butler, the Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, made the claim last week on Adelaide radio.

“Across every nursing home across Australia, there is a registered nurse on duty 24/7, 99% of the time,” the Minister said in response to a listener question on staffing levels in aged care. 

However, new data from the Department for Health, Disability and Ageing for February 2026 reveals a different picture.

The data shows there are 187 aged care homes – around 7% of all homes nationally – not meeting the mandatory requirement to have an RN on duty at all times. This figure includes 12 homes with exemptions and 56 homes that did not report.

On this basis, 93% of aged care homes are compliant, rather than the 99% cited.

Performance varies by provider type. Government-owned and operated aged care homes recorded the lowest compliance at 84%, compared with 99% among For Profit homes and 95% for Not For Profits.

About the 24/7 RN program

The 24/7 RN requirement, introduced by the newly elected Labor Government, on 1 July 2023, was a response to Recommendation 86 of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

All aged care homes are required to report compliance through the Government Provider Management System (GPMS).

Homes in MMM 5, 6 or 7 (rural or remote areas), with no more than 30 beds, and able to show resident needs are still being met, are entitled to exemptions.

Smaller aged care homes (50 beds or fewer) are eligible for a 24/7 RN supplement to help offset the additional costs, although this is not paid to homes with exemptions.

Government-operated Multi-Purpose Services will be required to comply with new 24/7 RN rules from 1 July 2026.