As of the 1st of November 2025, a reformed act for Ageing Australians, Aged Care Act 2024, has been implemented across the whole of the nation. This marks a significant step forward in improving the aged care system and ensuring that it better reflects the needs of older Australians. The introduction of this Act follows increasing public attention on the quality and safety of aged care services, as well as the need for stronger regulation and accountability within the sector.
This replaces the Aged Care Act 1997 and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018. These previous frameworks provided the basis for aged care delivery for many years; however, they were no longer considered sufficient in addressing modern challenges such as an ageing population, increasing complexity of care needs, and the expectation of more personalised services. The new Act pulls these laws into a more streamlined and contemporary system.
What will this new act do?
This new act focuses on the empowerment of older people and their right to make decisions as featured in the Statement of Rights section of the Act. This section is a key component, as it clearly defines the rights of individuals receiving care, including dignity, respect, independence, and choice. It ensures that older people are not simply passive recipients of care, but active participants in decisions that affect their lives. This shift promotes greater autonomy and encourages providers to listen to and respect the preferences of those in their care.
How does this impact current care providers and workers?
This has had a tremendous impact on current services and how providers deliver person-centred care. Providers are now expected to actively involve care recipients in planning and reviewing their care, ensuring services are tailored to individual needs, cultural backgrounds, and personal goals. This approach strengthens trust between clients and providers and improves overall satisfaction with care services.
The new Aged Care Act introduces changes to how aged care workers provide care;
- Workers will have stronger protections through expanded whistleblower protections.
- The Statement of Rights will clearly outline what older people can expect from providers and aged care workers.
- The Quality Standards have been strengthened to ensure care and services are safe, high-quality and tailored to meet the needs and preferences of people receiving care.
- The Statement of Principles states that the aged care system should support workers by:empowering them to drive innovation and continuous improvement
and enabling their participation in governance and accountability processes.
These changes highlight the importance of both the workforce and care recipients in creating a high-quality aged care system. By supporting workers and respecting the rights of older people, the Act promotes a more balanced and effective approach to care.
This comes at an opportune time with the Support at Home program to be released on the 1st of July 2027. This upcoming program is expected to further enhance aged care services by allowing more older Australians to remain living independently in their own homes while still receiving the support they need. It will complement the principles of the new Act by continuing to prioritise choice, flexibility, and person-centred care.
The Aged Care Act 2024 represents a significant and necessary reform of Australia’s aged care system. By prioritising the rights, dignity, and autonomy of older people, the Act sets a new standard for how care should be delivered. Its impact is already being felt across the sector, influencing the way providers operate and how workers deliver care.
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