The new Aged Care Act will take effect July 1st, 2025, bringing significant changes for everyone who accesses or delivers aged care services.
The new rights-based Act is set to put older people and their needs at the centre of aged care rather than being structured around funding providers. The new Act aims to improve our aged care system and the quality of care provided to older people.
The New Aged Care Act also impacts aged care providers and workers, seeking to provide better delivery of safe and quality aged care services through new regulation. It will also strengthen the powers of regulating bodies to ensure the integrity and quality of care services.
The reason for a new Act being implemented is because The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found that the current Aged Care Act was no longer fit for purpose. This article will cover what will be changed with the new Act and how it will impact aged care advocacy.
About The New Aged Care Act: What Changed?
The New Aged Care Act features significant changes for older people eligible for care, aged care providers, and aged care workers. Below, we’ve outlined the key changes in the new Act for each group.
Seniors accessing care
One of the key focuses of this new Act is to improve how older people can access care, uphold their rights, and improve standards for their care. Key changes include:
- Older people will be aware of their rights and can seek to have them upheld.
- Older people will be able to register a supporter who must follow supported decision-making principles.
- With the new Act, there will be new eligibility criteria for an aged care needs assessment.
- A new Support at Home program to replace current in-home care aged care programs to provide a simpler and more equitable system that helps older people stay at home for longer.
- The Statement of Rights, streamlined obligations and strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards will make it more clear what seniors seeking care can expect from aged care providers and workers.
- New complaints arrangements will facilitate access to restorative outcomes. Seniors who file complaints or raise concerns about a provider’s conduct will also be protected from reprisal action.
- A new compensation pathway will also be available for people who suffer a serious injury or illness resulting from a breach of their registered provider’s duty.
Aged care providers
The new Act has brought in regulation changes designed to increase accountability and enhance quality of care. These changes include:
- Providers will now have to ensure their actions are guided by the Statement of Rights.
- The new regulatory model will introduce universal provider registration—a single registration for each provider across all aged care programs.
- Providers who deliver NATSIFAC and CHSP services will have to be registered under the new Act and regulated by the ACQSC.
- The new Act will provide a revised set of provider obligations, including conditions upon registration.
- The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards will apply to some categories of providers.
Aged care workers
As part of the new Act, the Statement of Rights will include a right for individuals to have services delivered by aged care workers of registered providers who have appropriate qualifications, skills, and experience.
Providers must ensure aged care workers meet the new revised worker screening arrangements. They will also have more protections through the expanded whistleblower protections, which encourage workers to speak up against any violations or poor work practices that impact the safety and quality of care.
How This Impacts Aged Care Advocacy
The new Aged Care Act will be impacting many aspects of the current aged care system, but what about aged care advocacy? This new Act will directly support advocacy services and empower individuals to have more say in their care services.
The new Aged Care Act will do this in various ways:
- Rights for older people in aged care are now enshrined in the legislation through the Statement of Rights, which providers have a positive duty to uphold.
- Increasing protections for whistleblowers (people who call out issues) and seniors making complaints or raising concerns about their care. This will ensure they can report information without fear of punishment or mistreatment.
- New pathways will be created to support older people in upholding their rights. For example, the new complaint system will be one of the primary pathways for this.
- Individuals will be able to register one or more ‘supporters’ to help them with decision-making. There will also be a clear legal framework for registering supporters. These supporters will also help protect the autonomy of older people through supported decision-making.
- The new Act also empowers individuals to engage with advocacy services, like ADA Australia, to understand their rights and have a say in their care.
Have Your Voice Heard With ADA Australia
If you or someone you care for is a senior in Queensland looking for resources or support in regard to aged care, reach out to ADA Australia today. We are a not-for-profit, independent, community-based advocacy and information service with 30 years of experience supporting and improving the well-being of older people in the state.
Our aged care advocates can help you access and resolve issues with aged care services and have a say in your care. We can also assist in exploring available care options by making and following up on referrals, supporting you at assessments, identifying local aged care facilities/providers, and explaining financial assessments and fees.
People eligible for our services are seniors living in Queensland who are receiving or are eligible for Australian Government aged care programs. You can see a full list of supported programs on our website.
If you have any questions regarding eligibility or the services we offer, please reach out and contact us. The ADA Australia team would love to hear from you. Our services are also completely free and funded by the Australian Government—so there are no out-of-pocket costs.
