The Aged Care Act
The Aged Care Act 2024 was passed on 25 November 2024 and will come into effect on 1 November 2025 [1].
The Act:
- outlines the rights of older people who are seeking and accessing aged care services
- creates a single-entry point, with clear eligibility requirements
- includes a fair, culturally safe single assessment framework
- supports the delivery of aged care services
- establishes new system oversight and accountability arrangements
- increases provider accountability through a new regulatory model
- strengthens the aged care regulator.
The new Act aims to address various issues faced by older people, aged care providers, workers, and the broader sector [1]. The key changes include:
- the rights and needs of older people as the centre of the aged care system
- a single point of entry with clear eligibility requirements
- improved service delivery across all settings
- a new regulatory framework with increased provider accountability and strengthened aged care regulator.
These reforms are designed to ensure that older Australians receive high-quality, fair, and sustainable aged care services. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has a fact sheet (568kb pdf) that identifies key resources for aged care workers.
Statement of Rights
The Aged Care Act 2024 includes a Statement of Rights [2] which includes the right of older people to:
- independence, autonomy, empowerment and freedom of choice
- equitable access
- quality and safe funded aged care services
- respect for privacy and information
- person-centred communication and ability to raise issues without reprisal
- advocates, significant persons and social connections.
This includes the right to palliative care and end-of-life care when required. This right is reflected in the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and specifically in Outcome 5.7 - Palliative and end-of-life care. [3]
Provider Requirements
As part of the Aged Care Act, a new provider registration system is in place. All providers delivering Australian Government-funded aged care services need to be registered through the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC). The categories are:
- Category 1: Home and community services
- Category 2: Assistive technology and home modifications
- Category 3: Advisory and support services
- Category 4: Personal and care support in the home or community
- Category 5: Nursing and transition care
- Category 6: Residential care. [4]
There is different registration conditions applied based on registration category. Providers registered in Category 1-3 do not need to comply with the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. More details on provider requirements for Category 4 and 5, which are relevant to delivery of care in the person’s home, are available in the next section Strengthened Quality Standards. [4]