Aged Care Organization Design

Best Practice Structure for Medium Multi-Service Operator (RAC, ILU, Homecare)

📋 Organization Design Overview

This design represents a medium-sized aged care operator with three service lines (RAC, ILU, Homecare) unified under a single governance structure with shared back-office functions.

Executive Leadership (C-Suite)
Manager Level (Direct reports to Executives)
Team Lead Level (Front-line supervisors)

Key Design Principles

🎯 Unified Governance

Single CEO with direct reports including clinical leadership, operations, and finance. All three service lines share governance standards.

👥 Service Line Autonomy

Each service line (RAC, ILU, Homecare) has dedicated operations teams but shares corporate support functions.

🏥 Clinical Centralization

Chief Clinical Officer oversees all clinical standards, compliance, and quality across all three services.

💼 Shared Services

Finance, HR, IT, Marketing, and Procurement operate as shared services supporting all service lines.

📈 Scalability

Structure allows growth within service lines without significant restructuring; back-office scales efficiently.

🔗 Cross-functional Collaboration

Regular forums between service lines and back-office ensure alignment and service quality.

Organizational Metrics (Medium Operator)

Service Line Typical Size Staff Count Reporting Structure
RAC (1-2 facilities) 120-180 residents 60-80 FTE Chief Operations Officer
ILU (1-2 complexes) 100-150 residents 25-35 FTE Chief Operations Officer
Homecare (regional) 150-250 clients 40-60 FTE Chief Operations Officer
Back Office N/A 35-50 FTE Various (CEO direct)
TOTAL 370-580 residents/clients 160-225 FTE CEO + 5 Direct Reports

🏢 Executive Leadership Structure

CEO
Chief Executive Officer
CCO
Chief Clinical Officer
COO
Chief Operations Officer
CFO
Chief Financial Officer
CPO
Chief People Officer
CIO
Chief Information Officer
CRO
Chief Risk Officer
Project Transformation Officer
Reports to COO

Executive Role Descriptions

CEO - Chief Executive Officer

Reports to: Board of Directors

Direct Reports: 6 (CCO, COO, CFO, CPO, CIO, CRO)

Responsibilities:

  • Overall organizational strategy, vision, and performance
  • Board liaison and stakeholder management
  • Regulatory compliance and licensing oversight
  • Financial performance and sustainability
  • Executive team leadership and alignment
  • External representation (government, peak bodies, community)
CCO - Chief Clinical Officer

Reports to: CEO

Direct Reports: 3-4 (Clinical Leads per service, Quality Manager, Compliance Manager)

Responsibilities:

  • Clinical standards and quality across all service lines
  • Care policy development and implementation
  • Regulatory compliance (aged care standards)
  • Clinical incident management and learning
  • Staff clinical competency and development
  • Relationship with medical director and clinical advisors
COO - Chief Operations Officer

Reports to: CEO

Direct Reports: 4 (Regional RAC Manager, Regional ILU Manager, Homecare Operations Manager, Project Transformation Officer)

Responsibilities:

  • Day-to-day operations for all three service lines
  • Service delivery, efficiency, and performance metrics
  • Facility management and capital planning
  • Supply chain and procurement oversight
  • Health & safety and workers compensation
  • Cross-service line coordination and synergies
  • Strategic transformation initiatives and special projects oversight
CFO - Chief Financial Officer

Reports to: CEO

Direct Reports: 2-3 (Finance Manager, Accounting Manager, optional: Business Analyst)

Responsibilities:

  • Financial planning, budgeting, and forecasting
  • Financial reporting and statutory compliance
  • Funding management (government subsidies, RAD agreements)
  • Financial risk management and controls
  • Accounting and payroll administration
  • Internal audit liaison
CPO - Chief People Officer

Reports to: CEO

Direct Reports: 2-3 (HR Manager, Recruitment & Learning Manager, optional: Employee Relations Officer)

Responsibilities:

  • Recruitment, onboarding, and retention strategy
  • Performance management and staff development
  • Workplace culture and engagement
  • Industrial relations and compliance
  • Training and capability development
  • Health & safety and worker wellbeing (partnering with COO)
CIO - Chief Information Officer

Reports to: CEO

Direct Reports: 2-3 (IT Manager, Systems/Data Manager, optional: Cybersecurity Officer)

Responsibilities:

  • IT strategy, infrastructure, and security
  • Clinical and business systems management
  • Data governance and privacy compliance
  • Technology roadmap and digital transformation
  • Support for clinical and operational teams
  • Cybersecurity and disaster recovery
CRO - Chief Risk Officer

Reports to: CEO

Direct Reports: 2-3 (Risk & Compliance Manager, Quality & Safety Manager, optional: Internal Audit Manager)

Responsibilities:

  • Enterprise-wide risk management and compliance framework
  • Regulatory affairs and government liaison (aged care regulator, health department)
  • Audit coordination (internal, external, regulatory)
  • Clinical governance and accreditation (alongside CCO)
  • Quality and safety reporting to board
  • Risk register maintenance and mitigation planning
  • Incident and breach management coordination
  • Privacy and data protection compliance (partnering with CIO)
  • Insurance and liability management
Manager-to-Staff Ratio (Executive): 6 direct reports to CEO maintains strategic oversight while covering all functional areas. CRO addition ensures dedicated focus on regulatory compliance, risk management, and quality assurance - critical in aged care. Each executive has 2-4 direct reports depending on function complexity.

⚖️ Risk & Governance Structure (CRO)

The Chief Risk Officer provides enterprise-wide risk management, regulatory compliance, and quality assurance oversight across all service lines, reporting directly to the CEO.

CRO
Chief Risk Officer
Risk & Compliance Manager
Quality & Safety Manager
Internal Audit Manager
(Optional)

Risk & Governance Functions

Risk & Compliance Manager

Reports to: CRO

Direct Reports: 1-2 (Compliance Officer, optional: Government Liaison Officer)

Responsibilities:

  • Regulatory compliance monitoring and reporting (aged care standards, health department)
  • Government communication and liaison (regulatory bodies, peak bodies)
  • Compliance calendar management (reporting deadlines, audit schedules)
  • Policy framework development and updates
  • Risk register maintenance across organization
  • Training on compliance requirements for all staff
  • Liaison with legal counsel for contract review and disputes
Quality & Safety Manager

Reports to: CRO

Direct Reports: 1-2 (Quality Officer, Safety Officer)

Responsibilities:

  • Quality improvement program management (QI framework, audits)
  • Safety incident tracking and root cause analysis
  • Accident/injury investigation and reporting (workers comp, regulatory)
  • Health & safety compliance (partnering with COO)
  • Quality metrics and KPI reporting
  • Customer complaints tracking and resolution oversight
  • Accreditation preparation and maintenance (with CCO)
Internal Audit Manager (Optional)

Reports to: CRO (dotted line to Board Audit Committee)

Direct Reports: 1-2 (Internal Audit Officers)

Responsibilities:

  • Independent assurance on internal controls and risk management
  • Internal audit program planning and execution
  • Follow-up on external audit findings
  • Operational effectiveness reviews
  • Fraud and misconduct investigations
  • Board Audit Committee reporting
  • Management letters and recommendations

Key Reporting Relationships

CRO interdependencies:

  • CCO (Chief Clinical Officer): Joint responsibility for clinical governance and accreditation; joint oversight of clinical incident management
  • CIO (Chief Information Officer): Coordination on cybersecurity risk management, data breach response, privacy compliance
  • CFO (Chief Financial Officer): Coordination on financial controls, audit liaison, internal controls assessment
  • COO (Chief Operations Officer): Coordination on operational risk, safety management, business continuity
  • CEO: Board liaison on enterprise risk, regulatory status, compliance posture
  • Board/Audit Committee: Direct reporting on audit findings, risk management effectiveness, regulatory matters

Risk Management Framework

Risk Category Primary Owner CRO Role Monitoring Frequency
Regulatory/Compliance Risk & Compliance Manager Oversight, government liaison Continuous
Clinical Quality/Safety CCO + Quality Manager Assurance, KPI tracking Monthly reviews
Cybersecurity/IT CIO Risk assessment, breach coordination Quarterly reviews
Financial Controls CFO Audit coordination, control testing Quarterly reviews
Operational/Safety COO + Safety Manager Incident tracking, risk register Monthly reviews
HR/Conduct CPO Investigation coordination, policy compliance Quarterly reviews
Enterprise Risk CRO Risk register maintenance, mitigation tracking Board reporting quarterly
Importance in Aged Care: The CRO role is essential in aged care given the high regulatory scrutiny, complex compliance requirements (accreditation, government reporting, safety standards), and the critical nature of quality and safety impacts on vulnerable residents. A dedicated CRO ensures regulatory obligations are not relegated to secondary priority and provides the organization with proactive risk identification and mitigation.

🏥 Clinical Governance Structure

Unified clinical governance across all three service lines ensures consistent quality, compliance, and care standards.

Clinical Governance Hierarchy

CCO
Chief Clinical Officer
Clinical Lead - RAC
Clinical Lead - ILU
Clinical Lead - Homecare
Quality & Compliance Manager

Clinical Lead Roles (RAC Example)

Clinical Lead - RAC (Residential Aged Care)

Reports to: CCO

Direct Reports: 2-3 (Nursing Unit Managers per facility)

Responsibilities:

  • Clinical leadership and policy for RAC facilities
  • Nursing and care standards compliance
  • Medication management and safety
  • Care planning and assessment processes
  • Incident and complaint management in RAC
  • Medical practitioner liaison and clinical governance

Quality & Compliance Team

Quality & Compliance Manager (Direct to CCO)

Compliance Officer Regulatory compliance across all services
Quality Improvement Officer QI data, audits, and continuous improvement
Incident & Risk Officer Incident investigation and risk mitigation

Clinical Governance Bodies

Governance Body Frequency Chair Key Responsibilities
Clinical Governance Committee Monthly CCO Strategic clinical issues, policy approval, compliance monitoring
Quality Improvement Forum Monthly Quality Manager QI initiatives, data review, outcome tracking
Incident & Safety Committee Fortnightly Risk Officer Incident review, learning, preventive actions
Service Line Clinical Meetings Fortnightly Service Clinical Lead Service-specific clinical issues and updates
Clinical Span: CCO manages 4 direct reports (3 service clinical leads + Quality/Compliance). Clinical Leads typically have 2-3 Nursing Unit Managers reporting (ratio adjusted for facility complexity).

🏛️ RAC (Residential Aged Care) Operations

Operational structure for 7 residential aged care facilities with regional management (approximately 420-900 residents across all RAC facilities, ~290-420 FTE)

RAC Organizational Structure (7 Facilities)

Regional RAC Manager
Reports to COO
Facility Director
Facility 1
Facility Director
Facility 2
Facility Director
Facility 3
Facility Director
Facility 4
Facility Director
Facility 5
Facility Director
Facility 6
Facility Director
Facility 7
Quality & Compliance Lead
Regional Role

RAC Team Structure Per Facility

🏢 Facility Director (one per facility)

Reports to Regional RAC Manager. Direct reports: 4-5 (Nursing Unit Manager, Resident Services Manager, Facility Manager, plus optional Admin Officer)

Responsibilities: Overall facility operations (60-130 residents), budget management, staff supervision, clinical governance liaison with CCO, regulatory compliance, safety and quality standards, community relations.

🩺 Nursing Unit Manager (one per facility)

Reports to Facility Director. Direct reports: 5-6 (Registered Nurses, Enrolled Nurses, Nursing Assistants)

RN - Morning Shift Supervises 30-40 residents, nursing care delivery
RN - Afternoon Shift Afternoon care, medication management
EN - Evening/Night Evening and night shift care delivery
Nursing Assistants (2-3) Direct personal care support

🏠 Resident Services Manager

Direct reports: 4-5 (Activities, dietary, hospitality staff)

Activities Coordinator Programs, recreation, engagement
Dietary/Nutrition Coordinator Meal planning, nutrition, catering liaison
Hospitality Staff (2-3) Cleaning, laundry, general services

🔧 Facility Manager

Direct reports: 2-3 (Maintenance, grounds, security if applicable)

Maintenance Technician Facilities, equipment, repairs
Grounds/Cleaning Staff Facility cleanliness and grounds maintenance

RAC Staffing Summary (Per Facility & Regional)

Role Per Facility (60-100 bed) FTE per Facility Across 7 Facilities Total FTE (7 facilities)
Facility Director 1 1.0 7 7.0
Nursing Unit Manager 1 1.0 7 7.0
Registered Nurses 2-3 5.5 14-21 38.5
Enrolled Nurses 2-3 5.0 14-21 35.0
Nursing Assistants / Care Workers 8-10 18.0 56-70 126.0
Resident Services Manager 1 1.0 7 7.0
Activities Coordinator 1 1.0 7 7.0
Dietary/Hospitality Staff 3-4 8.0 21-28 56.0
Facility Manager 1 1.0 7 7.0
Facility/Maintenance Staff 2-3 3.0 14-21 21.0
Regional Quality & Compliance Lead 1 (shared across 7 facilities): 1.0 FTE
TOTAL per facility 22-31 44.5 154-217 311.5
RAC Structure (7 Facilities): Regional RAC Manager oversees 7 Facility Directors plus 1 Quality/Compliance Lead (8 direct reports). Each Facility Director manages 4-5 managers within their facility. Nursing Unit Manager supervises 5-6 direct reports (mix of RN, EN, NA) per facility. Structure reflects 24/7 operations, clinical acuity requirements, and distributed management across multiple locations.

🏘️ ILU (Independent Living Units) Operations

Operational structure for 8 independent living complexes (400-800 residents across all ILU sites, ~120-180 FTE)

ILU Organizational Structure (8 Complexes)

Regional ILU Manager
Reports to COO
Site Coordinator
Complex 1
Site Coordinator
Complex 2
Site Coordinator
Complex 3
Site Coordinator
Complex 4
Site Coordinator
Complex 5
Site Coordinator
Complex 6
Site Coordinator
Complex 7
Wellness & Services Lead
Regional Role
Site Coordinator
Complex 8
Facility/Maintenance Lead
Regional Role

ILU Team Structure Per Complex

📍 Site Coordinator (one per complex)

Reports to Regional ILU Manager. Direct reports: 2-3 (Assistant Coordinator, support staff)

Assistant Site Coordinator Support site operations, resident liaison
Administration Officer (part-time) Administrative support, bookings, inquiries

💪 Wellness & Services Officer

Direct reports: 2-3 (Activity/wellness staff)

Wellness Programs Coordinator Health, fitness, social programs
Services Support Officer (part-time) Amenities, concierge services

🔧 Facilities/Maintenance Officer

Direct reports: 1-2 (Maintenance support)

Maintenance Technician Unit maintenance, repairs, grounds

ILU Staffing Summary (Per Complex & Regional)

Role Per Complex (50-100 units) FTE per Complex Across 8 Complexes Total FTE (8 complexes)
Site Coordinator 1 1.0 8 8.0
Assistant Site Coordinator 1 0.8 8 6.4
Administration Officer (PT) 1 0.5 8 4.0
Wellness Programs Coordinator 1 1.0 8 8.0
Services Support Officer (PT) 1 0.5 8 4.0
Maintenance Technician 1-2 1.5 8-16 12.0
Nurse/Health Coordinator (shared) 0.5 0.5 4 4.0
Regional Wellness & Services Lead 1 (shared across 8 complexes): 1.0 FTE
Regional Facility/Maintenance Lead 1 (shared across 8 complexes): 1.0 FTE
TOTAL per complex 8-10 6.3 64-80 48.4
ILU Structure (8 Complexes): Regional ILU Manager oversees 8 Site Coordinators plus 2 regional support leads (10 direct reports). Site Coordinators have 2-3 direct reports each. ILU is less labor-intensive than RAC due to independence of residents. Some clinical support shared with RAC where applicable.

🏡 Homecare Operations

Operational structure for regional homecare service (150-250 clients, 40-60 FTE)

Homecare Organizational Structure

Homecare Operations Manager
Reports to COO
Clinical Coordinator
Homecare Team Leads (2-3)
Scheduling & Operations

Homecare Team Structure

🏥 Clinical Coordinator

Direct reports: 2-3 (Allied health liaison, clinical staff)

Registered Nurse - Clinical Client assessments, care plan development
Allied Health Liaison Coordination with physio, OT, other services

👥 Homecare Team Leads (2-3 covering different regions/shifts)

Direct reports: 7-10 per lead (care workers)

Personal Care Workers (8-12 per team) Direct client care, domestic assistance
Support Workers (2-3 per team) Companionship, shopping, light domestic

📞 Scheduling & Operations Officer

Direct reports: 1-2 (Admin support)

Scheduling Coordinator Client scheduling, care assignment, rostering
Administration Officer Inquiries, client onboarding, documentation

Homecare Staffing Summary

Role Number (150-250 clients) FTE Reports To
Homecare Operations Manager 1 1.0 COO
Clinical Coordinator 1 1.0 Homecare Ops Manager
Registered Nurse - Clinical 1 1.0 Clinical Coordinator
Allied Health Liaison (PT) 1 0.5 Clinical Coordinator
Homecare Team Leads 2-3 3.0 Homecare Ops Manager
Personal Care Workers 25-35 28.0 Team Leads
Support Workers (PT/casual) 5-10 6.0 Team Leads
Scheduling Coordinator 1 1.0 Ops Manager
Administration Officer (PT) 1 0.5 Ops Manager
TOTAL 38-52 42.0
Homecare Ratios: Team Leads supervise 8-10 field-based workers (higher span due to independent work). One Team Lead per 25-35 clients is industry standard. Clinical support shared across regions.

💼 Back-Office Support Functions

Shared services model supporting all three service lines (Finance, HR, IT, Marketing, Compliance)

Finance & Accounting

💰 CFO → Finance Manager (Direct Reports: 2-3)

Finance Manager / Accountant Financial reporting, budgeting, analysis
Accounting Officer (Accounts Payable/Receivable) Invoice processing, client billing, vendor payments
Payroll Officer Payroll processing, superannuation, leave management
Finance Clerk (PT) Administrative support (if budget allows)

Human Resources & People

👥 CPO → HR Manager (Direct Reports: 2-3)

HR Manager / Generalist ER, policy, compliance, employee relations
Recruitment & Learning Coordinator Recruitment, induction, training coordination
HR Administrator Record management, applications, scheduling

Information Technology

💻 CIO → IT Manager (Direct Reports: 2-3)

IT Systems Manager / Technician Network, infrastructure, user support
Clinical Systems Coordinator Care management system, reporting, analysis
Data & Security Officer Data governance, compliance, cybersecurity (if mature org)

Marketing & Business Development

📢 Marketing & BD Manager (Reports to CEO)

Direct reports: 1-2

Marketing Coordinator Marketing campaigns, communications, website
Business Development Officer Sales, referral partnerships, growth initiatives

Compliance & Quality (Supporting Clinical)

📋 Reports to CCO

Compliance Officer Regulatory compliance, documentation, audits
Quality Improvement Officer QI data, continuous improvement, metrics

Back-Office Staffing Summary

Department Key Roles Number Total FTE
Finance & Accounting Finance Manager, Accountant, AP/AR Officer, Payroll Officer, Clerk (PT) 4-5 4.5
HR & People HR Manager, Recruitment/Learning Coordinator, HR Administrator 3 3.0
IT & Systems IT Manager, Systems Tech, Clinical Systems Coordinator, Data/Security Officer 3-4 3.5
Marketing & BD Marketing Manager/Coordinator, BD Officer 2-3 2.5
Compliance & Quality Compliance Officer, QI Officer 2 2.0
BACK-OFFICE TOTAL 14-17 15.5
Back-Office Ratios: Finance and HR managers typically have 2-3 direct reports. IT has higher due to systems complexity. This shared services model allows economies of scale while maintaining service quality.

🤝 Service Line Support Matrix

Shows how back-office functions support each service line and corporate functions

Back-Office Function RAC Support ILU Support Homecare Support Corporate/Strategy Hours/Model
Finance & Accounting Billing, payroll, cost centers RAD management, charging Client billing, costing Consolidated reporting, budgeting Business hours + reporting
HR & Recruitment Nursing recruitment, orientation Site staff recruitment Care worker recruitment Policy, compliance, culture Business hours + events
Learning & Development Clinical training programs Wellness programs Homecare induction/training Management development Scheduled + ad hoc
IT & Systems Care system, user support Resident system, support Scheduling system, support Network, security, infrastructure 24/7 clinical support + business
Marketing & BD Resident marketing, events ILU marketing, open days Homecare referral marketing Brand, strategy, partnerships Business hours + campaigns
Compliance & Quality Audits, incident reporting Standards compliance Client quality measures Regulatory liaison, governance Business hours + inspections
Facilities & Procurement Equipment, supplies ordering Maintenance, unit supplies Client equipment Vendor management, contracts Business hours + emergency

Cross-Functional Collaboration Points

Monthly Service Line Reviews

Operations Manager + Finance + HR + Quality review metrics, performance, issues

Quarterly Executive Forum

All 5 C-suite executives + service line managers discuss strategy, budget, risk

Bi-weekly Clinical Governance

CCO + Clinical Leads + Quality Officer review compliance, incidents, QI

Annual Planning Cycle

Service lines submit budget proposals, hiring plans, strategic projects to CFO/CPO

Emergency Response Team

CEO + COO + relevant Operations Manager respond to critical incidents 24/7

Technology Steering Committee

CIO + Clinical Lead + Operations Manager plan IT projects quarterly

📊 Staffing Ratios & Localization Guide

Industry-standard ratios by function. Adjust based on local regulations, acuity, and organizational maturity.

Manager-to-Staff Ratios (Adjustable)

Role / Function Recommended Range Typical (Medium Org) If High Acuity/Complexity If Lower Complexity
Executive to Direct Reports 4-6 5 4 6
Nursing Unit Manager (RAC) 4-6 5-6 4-5 6-7
Resident Services Manager (RAC) 4-6 5 4 6
Site Coordinator (ILU) 2-4 3 2 4
Homecare Team Lead 8-12 10 8-9 10-12
Finance Manager 3-5 3 3 4-5
HR Manager 4-6 3 3 4-5
IT Manager 3-5 3 3 4

Clinical Staff Ratios (Regulatory Requirements)

Service Type Role Resident/Client Ratio Shift Pattern Notes
RAC Registered Nurse 1:15-20 Day/Afternoon Minimum 1 RN per shift per 20 residents
Enrolled Nurse 1:15-25 Evening/Night Evening/night shifts typically EN led
Care Worker 1:4-6 All shifts Higher acuity = lower ratio
ILU Support Staff 1:50-75 Business hours On-call for emergencies
Homecare Care Worker 1:8-12 Variable Depends on caseload, acuity, travel time

Localization Adjustments by Context

⬆️ Increase Manager Ratios (Closer Supervision) If:

  • High staff turnover or inexperienced team
  • High resident acuity or complex care needs
  • Multiple facilities/sites requiring oversight
  • High regulatory pressure or compliance requirements
  • New service line launch or major restructure
  • Safety-critical functions (clinical, finance)

⬇️ Decrease Manager Ratios (More Autonomy) If:

  • Experienced, stable staff with strong capability
  • Routine operations with low complexity
  • Single location/site simplifies coordination
  • Strong systems and documentation reduce oversight needs
  • Field-based work requiring independence (homecare)
  • Administrative functions with clear processes

Total Organization Staffing Summary

Service Line / Function Number Total FTE % of Org
RAC Operations (2 facilities) 40-54 83 45%
ILU Operations (2 complexes) 16-20 12.6 7%
Homecare Operations 38-52 42 23%
Executive & Clinical Leadership 8-10 9 5%
Back-Office Support 14-17 15.5 8%
TOTAL ORGANIZATION 116-153 162.1 100%

🤝 External Relationships & Partnerships

The organization maintains critical relationships with external parties to support operations, ensure compliance, and deliver excellent care. This section maps the key external relationships and partnership requirements.

Key External Relationships

🏛️ Government & Regulatory Bodies

Primary Relationships:

  • Aged Care Quality Standards Commission (ACQSC) - Regulatory inspections, accreditation
  • Department of Health & Aged Care - Funding, policy, reporting
  • Local Health District - Clinical governance, pathways
  • Fair Work Ombudsman - Employment compliance
  • Aged Care Complaints Commissioner - Complaint resolution

Lead Contact: CRO (Risk & Compliance Manager handles day-to-day)

🏥 Clinical & Medical Partners

Primary Relationships:

  • Medical Director (contracted) - Clinical oversight and protocols
  • Local GPs - Primary care pathway and referrals
  • Hospital Network - Acute care referrals and discharge planning
  • Specialist Services - Aged care medicine, allied health referrals
  • Pharmacy Supplier - Medication management and protocols

Lead Contact: CCO (Chief Clinical Officer)

📋 Audit & Compliance Partners

Primary Relationships:

  • External Audit Firm - Annual financial and compliance audits
  • Internal Auditor (if appointed) - Ongoing internal audit function
  • Compliance Consultant - Policy development and compliance gap analysis
  • Legal Counsel - Contract review and dispute resolution
  • Insurance Broker - Risk management and liability coverage

Lead Contact: CRO / CFO (for audit)

💼 Business & Operational Partners

Primary Relationships:

  • Food & Catering Supplier - Meal provision and nutrition standards
  • Cleaning & Laundry Supplier - Housekeeping and linen services
  • Maintenance & Facilities Contractor - Building and equipment maintenance
  • Utility Providers - Power, water, gas, telecommunications
  • Waste Management - Environmental and hazardous waste disposal

Lead Contact: COO (Regional Managers handle day-to-day)

💻 Technology & IT Partners

Primary Relationships:

  • Clinical System Vendor - Electronic health record support and updates
  • Cloud Service Provider - Data hosting and infrastructure services
  • Cybersecurity Firm - Security assessments and incident response
  • IT Support Provider - Helpdesk and technical support (if outsourced)
  • Software License Vendor - Productivity and business applications

Lead Contact: CIO (Chief Information Officer)

👥 HR & Workforce Partners

Primary Relationships:

  • Recruitment Agencies - Temporary and permanent staff placement
  • Training & Development Provider - Staff education and compliance training
  • Occupational Health & Safety Consultant - WHS audits and training
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP) - Staff wellbeing and counseling
  • Union Representatives - Industrial relations and workplace agreements

Lead Contact: CPO (Chief People Officer)

🎓 Community & Industry Partners

Primary Relationships:

  • Peak Industry Bodies - Aged Care Association, sector networks
  • Universities - Nursing and aged care research, student placements
  • Community Organizations - Activities, recreation, volunteering
  • Resident Representatives - Families council, feedback mechanisms
  • Media & Public Relations - Communications and reputation management

Lead Contact: CEO (Strategic), COO (Operational)

📊 Financial & Funding Partners

Primary Relationships:

  • Bank / Financial Institutions - Funding, loans, treasury management
  • Government Funding Agency - Subsidies, grants, program funding
  • RAD Scheme Administrator - Aged care accommodation levy management
  • Accounting Software Provider - Financial management systems
  • Payroll Service Provider - Salary and superannuation processing

Lead Contact: CFO (Chief Financial Officer)

Relationship Management Framework

Relationship Type Strategic Importance Review Frequency Key Deliverables Executive Lead
Regulatory (ACQSC, DoH) Critical Continuous + Annual Compliance reports, Audit readiness CRO
Clinical (Medical Director, GPs) Critical Monthly + Quarterly Care pathways, Quality outcomes CCO
Financial (Bank, Government) Critical Quarterly + Annual Financial reports, Funding approvals CFO
Audit (External/Internal) Critical Annual + Ad-hoc Audit reports, Remedial actions CRO / CFO
Technology (System Vendor, Cloud) High Quarterly + As needed System availability, Security updates CIO
Workforce (Recruitment, Training) High Ongoing + Quarterly Staffing levels, Training completion CPO
Operations (Suppliers, Maintenance) High Monthly + Quarterly Service delivery, Cost management COO
Community (Peak bodies, Media) Medium-High Quarterly + As needed Reputation, Industry standing CEO
Relationship Management Best Practice: Assign primary and secondary contacts for each relationship. Maintain current contact lists, service agreements, and SLAs. Conduct annual relationship reviews with major suppliers and partners. Escalate issues through defined channels. Ensure continuity through documented relationships (not dependent on individual staff).