Why is there a new Aged Care Act and what are the changes?

In response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, as well as feedback from older Australians, their families, and the broader community, the new Aged Care Act will bring meaningful reform to the way aged care is delivered in Australia.  

From 1 November 2025, the Aged Care Act 2024 will replace the Aged Care Act 1997. The new Act is designed to improve aged care services by placing the rights of older Australians at the centre of the aged care system.   

Key changes include: 

- The introduction of a Statement of Rights, which outlines the rights that older Australians will have when accessing government-funded aged care services. Providers, like Anglicare, must provide care in line with the Statement of Rights and Statement of Principles.

- Simplified access to government-funded aged care services with the introduction of a Single Assessment System, replacing Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs) and Regional Assessment Service (RAS). 

- Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards to ensure that the care and services a provider delivers are safe, high quality, and meet the needs and preferences of the people receiving care. Providers must show they meet the Quality Standards.

- Enhanced incident management and complaints handling, including protections for whistleblowers and clearer incident reporting requirements. 

- Greater transparency in  fees and charges, with clearer communication and support for informed financial decisions.