The Australian Nursing Federation is calling for greater regulation of the privately run nursing home sector.

Shortcomings at a home in Ballarat last week have prompted audits at the company's 26 other regional homes, including Albury.

The federation's assistant secretary, Yvonne Chaperon, says the Government must review staffing levels at homes if it wants to see improvements.

She says if the Government does not scrutinise standards for things like clinical care, pain management and food, things will not improve.

"I just don't think there's a level of scrutiny there, and the level of regulation there that there once was, I think there needs to be more regulation within the Aged Care Act," she said.

"These nursing homes receive a lot of Federal Government subsidy, they're not made responsible for how that money is spent, and I think that the Federal Government needs to put processes in place to make the proprietors accountable."

Source: ABC News