13 August 2025
The Aged Care Act is changing – what you need to know
The aged care system is about to change in important ways to better support older Australians and their families.
The new Aged Care Act will bring all current aged care laws together into one clear, easy-to-understand framework that puts the needs and rights of older people front and centre..
About the New Aged Care Act
Right now, aged care is governed by several different laws. The new Aged Care Act will replace:
- The Aged Care Act 1997
- The Aged Care (Transitional Provisions) Act 1997
- The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018
This new Act aims to improve how aged care services are delivered across homes, community settings, and approved residential aged care homes.
The changes aim to make sure that:
- Older people’s rights are protected every step of the way
- Support for decision-making respects each person’s choice
- Care assessments become simpler and more straightforward
- Information about aged care services is clear and easy to access
- Expectations from providers and workers are transparent and well understood
What the new Act will do
The Act will:
- Clearly outline the rights of older people accessing aged care services
- Introduce a single entry point with clear eligibility requirements
- Implement a fair and culturally safe single assessment framework
- Support the delivery of aged care services
- Establish stronger system oversight and accountability
- Increase provider accountability with a new regulatory model
- Strengthen the aged care regulator’s role and powers
Why the new Act matters
The Royal Commission into Aged Care found that the current laws focus too much on providers and funding rather than on the people who rely on aged care. This new rights-based Act puts older Australians at the heart of the aged care system.
It supports responses to 58 Royal Commission recommendations, including:
- The Government’s response to the Aged Care Taskforce
- The new Support at Home program
- Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
- Enhanced powers for the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
- A new Statement of Rights for older people
The new Aged Care Act represents a significant step towards a more respectful, transparent, and person-centred aged care system for all Australians.
To find out more, please watch the full video from the Australian Government below or visit their website here.
Aged Care
