Aged Care Bill 2024: What You Need to Know
The Aged Care Bill 2024 passed in November, with the new rights-based Act commencing 1 November 2025. Here's what you need to know.
The Aged Care Bill 2024 passed in November, with the new rights-based Act commencing 1 November 2025. Here's what you need to know.
The Australian Parliament passed the Aged Care Bill 2024 on 25 November 2024. The new rights-based Aged Care Act, originally set to commence on 1 July 2025,will now come into effect on 1 November 2025 following the announcement of a 4-month delay.
There are 5 key areas of change under the new Aged Care Act for Commonwealth Home Support Services, summarised below.
1. A rights-based focus
The new Act introduces a Statement of Rights*, which outlines the rights of older people when seeking or accessing government-funded aged care services. It includes rights like independence and autonomy, respect for privacy, safe and quality care, and the right to raise issues without fear of reprisal. Aged care service providers are legally obliged to deliver services to older people in line with the Statement of Rights.
2. Enhanced quality standards
Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards will be introduced with the commencement of the new Act from 1 November 2025. Aged Care Quality Standards are a set of requirements that define what good care looks like. The strengthened standards will make it clear what older people can expect from aged care service providers and workers. Under the strengthened standards, providers must actively include older people in the planning and management of their care to ensure care is safe, high quality and tailored to the needs of the older person. Care must be delivered in line with the Statement of Rights.
3. Greater protections when you speak up
The new Act increases protections for whistleblowers – people who call out issues. Older people, families, representatives, and aged care workers can report a person or organisation who has not followed aged care law without fear that they will be punished or treated unfairly.
4. Safeguards around decision-making
Under the new Act, older people’s right to make decisions about the care they receive and the risks they are willing to take is enshrined in legislation. The Act acknowledges that some older people may want support in making certain types of decisions. When the Act comes into effect, older people can register one or more people to assist them. These people are referred to as their supporters. The new Act clearly outlines the role and responsibilities of these registered supporters in upholding the older person’s wishes and preferences. An older person does not have to register a supporter if they don’t want to.
5. An independent complaints process
An independent Complaints Commissioner, appointed by the Minister for Aged Care, will promote the independence, transparency, and accountability of complaints handling by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. An independent complaints process will help to improve the operation of aged care complaints and rebuild the trust of older people that their complaints will be taken seriously and will be resolved in a timely manner.
New Strengthened Aged Care Standards come into effect 1 November 2021 - strengthened-quality-standards-poster-for-workers-and-older-people.pdf
Your aged care rights - This video explains how the new Aged Care Act puts you at the centre of your aged care. It will make aged care safer, fairer and more respectful. Your aged care rights | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing