On November 1, 2025, the new Aged Care Act will officially kick in and it’s set to make a big difference in the lives of older Australians. The goal? To empower older people, make sure their rights are protected and ensure the care they receive is the best it can be.
Here’s what’s changing and why it matters for you, your loved ones or anyone who’s navigating aged care:
1. Putting rights first: Empowering older Australians
One of the biggest changes is the Rights-Based Framework. This new Act ensures that older Australians have control over their care, including the right to make decisions about what’s best for them. It’s all about making sure people can make choices about their own care, including what risks they’re willing to take. A new Statement of Rights will clearly outline what older people can expect when accessing aged care, with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission making sure these rights are respected.
2. Stronger care standards: What good care looks like
Under the new Act, aged care quality standards are being strengthened. This means that good care isn’t just a goal; it’s something that’s expected. Older people will be more involved in planning and managing their own care, so it’s tailored to meet individual needs. The aim is simple: to make sure care is safe, high-quality, and focused on the person receiving it – not just the process.
3. Better protection for speaking up: No fear of retaliation
It’s never easy to speak up when something’s not right, especially in a care setting. The new Act offers stronger protection for whistleblowers, those who raise concerns about issues within the system. This is about making sure people – whether they’re residents, families, or aged care workers, can voice concerns without worrying about retaliation. Everyone should feel safe to speak up and know that issues will be taken seriously.
4. Supported decision-making: Helping older people make choices
Another key part of the Act is supported decision-making. This means older Australians will have the right to make decisions about their care, with support available if needed. For those who may require extra help, a registered supporter can assist with the decision-making process. This ensures that older people stay in control of their lives and care, with the assistance they need to make informed choices.
5. Aged care workers: A new way of working together
The changes also impact aged care workers. The Act will help workers deliver better, more personalised care, with a focus on empowering older Australians. It’s not just about doing a job, it’s about working together with older people to make sure their needs are met in the best way possible.
6. How aged care is funded: What’s changing with fees
The new Act also brings changes to how aged care services are funded. One of the biggest updates is the introduction of the Non-Clinical Care Contribution (NCCC). This applies to services like mobility assistance, bathing, and lifestyle activities, things that aren’t medical care but still vital for daily life. If someone can afford it, they’ll be asked to contribute towards these services. However, for those with lower incomes or fewer assets, there are safeguards in place to ensure that they won’t pay more than they can afford. A lifetime cap will protect individuals from paying excessive fees. Additionally, a Hotelling Supplement will cover services like catering and cleaning for those who can afford it but again, lower-income individuals will not be financially burdened by these costs.
7. Simplified Access: Making it easier to get the care you need
Let’s face it, navigating aged care can be confusing. The new Act aims to simplify the whole process. Instead of jumping through hoops, there will be a single assessment process to determine eligibility for different aged care services. This will make it easier for older Australians to access the care they need, when they need it.
8. Support at Home program: Streamlining home care services
The new Support at Home Program will bring together the current in-home aged care programs, replacing Home Care Packages and the Short-Term Restorative Care Programme starting from 1 November 2025. The goal of the Support at Home Program is to make home care services more accessible, flexible and easier to navigate, providing older Australians with the support they need to live independently and stay at home longer.
In a nutshell: A more empowering, fairer system for older Australians
The new Aged Care Act is about creating a fairer, more empowering system. It’s about giving older Australians more control, ensuring they have access to high-quality care and protecting their right to speak up when things aren’t right. The strengthened standards, greater protections and changes to funding are all part of the effort to improve the care system for everyone.
The changes will take effect in November 2025 but it’s never too early to start learning about what’s coming. The goal is simple: to make sure older Australians get the care and respect they deserve and that their voices are heard in the process.
If you need support in navigating the aged care system and these changes and to make informed decisions, please reach out to Positive Life NSW’s Peer and Ageing Support Officer on (02) 8357 8386 or 1800 245 67 (freecall) or email contact@positivelife.org.au
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For more information on the New Aged Care Act, please visit the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) website or the Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing website.
For a comparison of the key differences between the Support at Home program and the Home Care Packages program, please refer to the table in this article.
