A new Act was the number one recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. It will bring a range of improvements for older people. This includes:
- a new regulatory model
- strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
- a Statement of Rights to ensure older people and their needs are at the centre of the new aged care system.
The new Act also gives older people and their supporters a more independent voice. This will allow them to make their own informed decisions about the care and services they receive and deserve. This includes protections to speak up when not satisfied with a service and preparing providers to handle complaints and feedback effectively.
The new Act also marks the launch of the new Support at Home program from 1 July 2025. This will help more older people to live in their own home for longer. It will also get them home modifications and assistive technology so they can do safely.
Those who need to use aged care services earlier in life will also be better off under the new laws. This includes Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and those aged 50 to 64 years who are at risk of, or already experiencing, homelessness.
Under the new Act, the Government will remain the main funder of aged care. For every $1 an aged care resident contributes, the Government on average will contribute $3. There will be:
- no new levies or taxes
- no changes to means testing of the family home
- no one will pay more than $130,000 in non-clinical care costs over their lifetime.
There is still a lot of work to do. Public consultation continues on the new Aged Care Rules which will give instructions on how the Act will operate.
We are now drafting the rules and inviting feedback in stages between now and early 2025.This is a valuable opportunity for:
- everyone to better understand what these changes will mean for them
- everyone to learn how the Rules will impact older people, and the quality of care they receive
- providers to tell us what they need to help prepare for the new Act.
