The Aged Care Act 2024
On this page
- Why introduce a new Aged Care Act?
- Features of the new Act
- Statement of Rights
- Strengthening Aged Care Quality Standards
- Pathways for upholding rights
- Supported decision-making and registered supporters
- Aged care funding model
- The Support at Home Program
- Help accessing aged care services
- Other pages we think may interest you
This page provides information on the new Aged Care Act to be implemented on 1 November 2025.
The Aged Care Act 2024 will not affect services delivered under DVA’s care and support programs, like Veterans’ Home Care and Community Nursing. DVA’s programs will continue to operate in their current form.
Why introduce a new Aged Care Act?
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety found the Aged Care Act 1997, and related legislation, is no longer fit for purpose. It was structured around how to fund providers, rather than the rights of older people accessing services.
The rights-based Aged Care Act 2024 commenced on 1 November 2025, placing older people at the centre of the aged care system.
Back to topFeatures of the new Act
The new Aged Care 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
- trengthens the aged care regulator.
To learn more about how the government is improving aged care, you can read the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s Exploring Aged Care booklet.
Back to topStatement of Rights
The new Statement of Rights ensures the needs of older people are at the centre of the aged care system. Providers and workers need to understand and ensure their actions support this Statement. For veterans and their families, the new Act also has a focus on safety and trauma-aware aged care services.
A plain language summary of the Statement is available on the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s website in 22 different languages. It is also available in Easy Read format.
Back to topStrengthening Aged Care Quality Standards
Aged Care Quality Standards have been strengthened to improve the quality of aged care services older people receive. The standards define what quality care looks like, supporting older people to live their best life.
Providers must involve you in the delivering of government-funded aged are services. This includes giving you choice in how your care is delivered and meeting all your individual care needs, goals and preferences.
For more information visit the Aged Care Quality Standards webpage.
Back to topPathways for upholding rights
Complaints
The new Statement of Rights means the new Aged Care Act will focus on the rights of older people. Complaints processes are a primary pathway for helping older people resolve concerns about their rights.
The new Act provides additional protections so you can make a complaint without fear of being punished.
You are encouraged to share feedback and make a complaint if your provider has not upheld your rights. Complaints should be raised with your provider in the first instance. All providers are required to have a complaints and feedback management system and processes in place to address complaints and feedback and resolve issues quickly and fairly.
If you do not feel comfortable raising a complaint with your provider or are not satisfied with the outcome, you can make a complaint to:
- the Complaints Commissioner (who is independent from the regulatory functions of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission)
- email info@agedcarequality.gov.au
- call 1800 951 822 for general complaints
- call 1800 844 044 for food, nutrition and dining related complaints
- a staff member of the Commission
- the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
- an aged care provider or worker
- a responsible person of an aged care provider – such as a CEO or Board Member
- a police officer
- an advocate.
The Government funds the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) to deliver the National Aged Care Advocacy Program (NACAP). The program provides free, confidential, and independent information and support to older people seeking or receiving government-funded aged care as well as their families of choice and other people who support them.
If you need support to make a complaint or find out more information, you can speak to an aged care advocate by calling the Aged Care Advocacy Line on 1800 700 600.
Whistleblower protections
If you think someone has not followed aged care laws, you will be protected under the new Act if you make a whistleblower disclosure.
The new and expanded whistleblower framework protects:
- you from punishment, unfair treatment, threats and victimisation
- your identity – except in limited circumstances or with your consent.
Aged care providers must have an internal whistleblower system and policy in place to ensure disclosures are effectively handled.
To make a whistleblower disclosure, you can contact:
- the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
- the department, or an official of the department
- a registered provider
- a responsible person of a registered provider
- another aged care worker of a registered provider
- a police officer
- an independent aged care advocate.
Supported decision-making and registered supporters
Supported decision-making in aged care enables older people to remain in control of their lives. This helps you to be involved in making informed decisions about your care for as long as possible.
Under the new Aged Care Act, every older person is presumed to have the ability to make decisions. The registered supporter role is one of the changes under the new Act that promote older peoples’ right to make their own decisions, with support if necessary.
You can request to register one or more people to assist you with your decision-making in aged care. These people are called Registered Supporters. Registered Supporters can help you make and communicate your own aged care decisions, including speaking to My Aged Care, aged care assessors, aged care providers, and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission. Registered Supporters can also request, access and receive information about you.
There are other support services to help you understand and navigate aged care. Explore these options on My Aged Care at Getting support in aged care | My Aged Care.
You can also watch a webinar from OPAN on supported decision-making and supporters in the new Aged Care Act.
Back to topAged care funding model
The government funds most of your aged care services, whether you are living at home or in an aged care home. To make the aged care system more sustainable, you may be required to contribute to some of your aged care costs. The amount you will need to contribute is based on your means test assessment.
Updated contributions and accommodation costs for residential aged care and support at home under the new Aged Care Act came into effect from 1 November 2025. Anyone in residential aged care before this date have kept their existing arrangements until they leave care.
In the Support at Home program, contributions depend on the type and level of support being received.
For more information, see:
- Residential aged care means testing
- Understanding residential aged care costs
- Residential aged care fee scenarios
The Support at Home Program
The Support at Home Program replaced the Home Care Packages Program and the Short-Term Restorative Care Program on 1 November 2025. The Commonwealth Home Support Program will also transition to Support at Home, but no earlier than 1 July 2027.
Support at Home provides access to services, equipment and home modifications to help older people remain healthy, active and socially connected to their community. Services available include clinical supports, personal care, respite care, transport and social support. The program also helps with everyday living, such as cleaning, meal delivery and gardening.
In addition to ongoing services, Support at Home has short-term pathways:
- Assistive Technology and Home Modifications scheme
- Restorative Care Pathway
- End-of-Life Pathway.
For more information, visit the Support at Home webpage.
Back to topHelp accessing aged care services
It’s no secret aged care can be confusing and it’s often difficult know where to start. You don’t have to do it alone. There are many services available through the government as well as independent services that can support you on your aged care journey.
The Help Accessing Aged Care Services page provides information on available support. There are also further support services to help you understand and navigate aged care. You can explore these options by visiting the Getting support in aged care webpage on the My Aged Care website.
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