Aged Care Act

Aged Care Act 2024

The Aged Care Act 2024 was passed on 25 November 2024 and will come into effect on 1 November 2025 [2].

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 [2]. 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.

Statement of Rights

The Aged Care Act 2024 includes a Statement of Rights [3] 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 [4] which will come into effect with the Aged Care Act 2024 on 1st November 2025, in particular Outcome 5.7 – Palliative and end-of-life care.