The New Aged Care Act

The New Aged Care Act that will be introduced on the 1st of July 2025, responds to approximately 60 recommendations from the Royal Commission. Among those recommendations are the introduction of a Statement of Rights for older people, the Support at Home Program, and stronger powers for the regulator, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC).

The new Aged Care Act will also deliver a range of improvements including a new regulatory model and strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards to ensure older people and their needs are at the centre of the new aged care system.

The New Strengthened Aged Care Standards

The strengthened standards place older people at the center of their care, increase protections for older people, and support people living with dementia, while also better including people from diverse backgrounds.

The number of Standards has been reduced down to 7, and these are:

1.  The Person – It defines the way providers and workers should treat older people, reflect the new Statement of Rights and is relevant to all Quality Standards. 
2. The Organisation – It sets the expectations about the quality care and services that a provider’s governing body must meet.
3. The Care and Services – It describes how providers must deliver care and services for all service types. 
4. The environment – This standard ensures older people receive care and services in a physical environment that is safe and supportive and meets their needs.
5. Clinical Care – This describes provider responsibilities to deliver safe and quality clinical care to older people.
6. Food and Nutrician – This Quality Standard outlines the food and nutrition obligations for residential aged care providers.
7. The Residential Community – This Quality Standard directs residential aged care providers to ensure community is central to the lives of aged care residents.

 Do you have further questions?

If you wish to know more about the New Aged Care Standards then visit the government’s webpage.

If you or a loved one need support to live independently at home, then the Support at Home Program could be the right option for you. Support at Home will start on the 1st of July 2025 and it will replace the current Home Care Package (HCP) program and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) program. In doing so, it will offer a more tailored support and a clearer pathway to accessing essential services.

What kind of support can the Support at Home Program provide for me?

As part of the Support at Home Program offers a wide range of services, including personal care, allied health services, assistive technology, home modifications, and more. This program helps you to live independently in your own home and in your community.

Services are provided via 3 main categories:

• Independence support such as personal care, showering.
• Everyday living assistance such as cleaning, gardening, meals.
• Clinical care – such as nursing, physiotherapy, care management.

 How do I access Support at Home Services?

• To register, call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or online www.myagedcare.gov.au/assessment/apply- online

  Tip: Have your Medicare Card with you when you call. My Aged Care will ask you a range of questions. This helps the person who you are talking with understand and assess your care needs.
  Family, friends, carers or health professionals can call on your behalf, but My Aged Care will ask you for your consent for them to talk for you. If you need Translating and Interpreting Services (TIS) these can be arranged.

• Based on the information you give during your call to My Aged Care, you may be referred for an assessment to better understand your support needs. Assessments may be done over the phone or in person within your own home. They’ll look at how much assistance you require with daily activities, health care, mobility, and other aspects of your life. We encourage a family member, friend or carer to be with you during your assessment for extra support.
• Determine Support Level: Based on the assessment, you’ll be assigned a support level, and with the Support at Home Program, there are 8 ongoing support levels. The level you’re assigned will determine the amount of funding available to you.
• After you’ve been assigned a support level, you will be placed on a waiting list with My Aged Care. When a place is available then contact us and one of our Care Partners will help you design a care plan that fits your specific needs, goals, and preferences.

Do you have further questions?

In the lead up to July the 1st, new information is continuing to come to light so please don’t hesitate in contacting us if you have any questions about obtaining services.

Note: the information provided was correct at the time of publishing, however there may still be some changes about the Support at Home Program leading up to the beginning of July so to keep up to date we recommend that you visit the Department of Health Website

The Australian Government has announced major changes to aged care as a response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. These changes involve introducing a new Aged Care Act and a new program called the Support at Home Program, with both of these changes coming into effect from the 1st of July 2025.

The Support at Home Program will replace the current Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs. Eventually it will bring all of the current in-home aged care programs together, ensuring a simpler and more equitable system for older people that helps them to stay at home for longer.

Support at Home will ensure improved access to services, equipment and home modifications to help older people remain healthy, active and socially connected to their community.

If you are currently on a Home Care Package, you will be transitioning to the Support at Home Program on the 1st of July. Please know that we are more than happy to assist you with this transition, and answer any questions you have. 

To find out more about the Support at Home Program, visit the government’s site Support at Home and to keep in touch with the updates, visit our page Support at Home