New Aged Care Menu Review Requirements: Why Your Service Now Needs a Dietitian
Understanding the New Aged Care Menu Review Requirements
From 1 November 2025, the Aged Care Act 2024 and Aged Care Rules 2025 will introduce new obligations for all aged care providers delivering meals to older Australians. Whether you operate home-delivered meal programs, community-based services, or respite catering, your organisation must now ensure menus are:
Nutritious and appetising
Suitable for older adults’ needs, including specialised dietary requirements
Assessed by a dietitian at least once every year
Reviewed under a Quality Assurance Framework that captures feedback and supports continuous improvement
These changes are outlined under Section 148-20 of the Aged Care Rules 2025, and compliance will be monitored by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
What the Legislation Means for Meal Providers
If your service provides meals through programs such as:
Commonwealth Home Support Program (CHSP)
Support at Home (SaH) Program
Community or centre-based respite
Cottage respite
you must now engage an Accredited Practising Dietitian (APD) to review your meals, snacks, and drinks every 12 months. Even if you subcontract meal preparation to a third-party kitchen, your organisation remains responsible for ensuring the meals meet the new nutritional, sensory, and compliance standards.
How We Support Aged Care Menu Compliance
At Your Nutrition, our Accredited Practising Dietitian provides evidence-based menu review services to help providers across Melbourne and Australia-wide meet the 2025 aged care meal requirements.
Our services include:
Comprehensive menu assessment – analysis of recipes, portion sizes, meal cycles, and nutrient adequacy
Special diet review – texture-modified, vegetarian, gluten-free, low-sodium, and high-protein options
Sensory evaluation – taste, aroma, texture, and presentation
Quality Assurance support – documentation and improvement recommendations aligned with audit expectations
Virtual and onsite reviews – flexible options for metropolitan, regional, and interstate providers
We provide a detailed Dietitian Menu Review Report that includes clear, practical actions to strengthen nutrition quality and compliance.
Why Annual Dietitian Menu Reviews Matter
Older Australians have specific nutritional needs, including higher requirements for protein, calcium, and vitamin D to maintain muscle strength, immunity, and independence. Regular menu reviews by a dietitian help ensure your service:
Reduces risk of malnutrition and unplanned weight loss
Improves satisfaction and enjoyment of meals
Meets government and accreditation standards
Demonstrates your commitment to safe, high-quality aged care
Available Across Melbourne and Australia
Whether your organisation is a Meals on Wheels provider, aged care catering company, or CHSP-funded community program, Your Nutrition can assist with:
Onsite assessments for Melbourne-based kitchens
Remote/virtual reviews for regional and interstate services
Ongoing Quality Assurance support to maintain compliance year-round
Be Ready Before November 2025
The new meal requirements take effect 1 November 2025, so now is the time to arrange your first annual menu review. Let us help your organisation meet the new standards with confidence.
Contact Your Nutrition
Email hello@yournutrition.au or phone 0458 920 404
Serving aged care providers with trusted, evidence-based nutrition expertise — in person and virtually across Australia.
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