The 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.