Background: We aimed to conduct the first costing analysis of the data audit process required to fulfill quarterly reporting for the mandatory National Aged Care Quality Indicator Program (QI program) in Australian residential aged care (RAC) homes. Methods: Participants were recruited from three RAC providers in New South Wales who are members of the National Aged Care Medication Roundtable. After completing a brief demographics questionnaire, participants were interviewed and asked what tasks are completed as part of the QI program data audit process, personnel involved (staff, residents, family members), and time involved to complete the tasks. We conducted an activity-based costing analysis of the data audit process using state pay awards for staff and average wage rates from the Australian Bureau of Statistics for family members. Oncosts were defined by state pay awards. Results: We interviewed a total of 14 aged care staff comprising quality officers (N=9), residential managers (N=3), a care team manager (N=1), and a BI analyst (N=1). Most participants had worked in the aged care sector for over 10 years (N=10, 71%) and had worked with their current employer for 1-4 years (N=7, 50%). Preliminary results show a complex data audit process with a wide range of costs depending on the size of the home, maturity of IT systems, and time taken to collect, check, and review data. Conclusions: Our findings will provide RAC providers and policymakers with information about the resources required to fulfill the quarterly reporting requirements for the QI program in Australia.