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Australia’s “Once-in-a-Generation” Aged Care Reform: What to Watch from November 2025

25 August 2025

Alex Cooper

An important shift in Australia’s aged care system arrives on 1 November 2025. Grounded in a rights-based model, the new Aged Care Act 2024 replaces outdated legislation and places older Australians squarely at the centre of the system. Let’s unpack what this means and why it matters in Australia.

 

What’s Changing: A Quick Overview

  • People’s Rights: The new Act encompasses a Statement of Rights, ensuring older people have choice, respect, and support for decision-making
  • Easier Access: A single-entry assessment process makes it clearer and fairer to access home, community, or residential aged care services, with earlier eligibility for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and others at higher risk.
  • Improved Regulations: Aged Care providers now need formal registration and must meet new Quality Standards, Codes of Conduct, and Prudential Regulations. The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission gains expanded powers, promoting accountability in the sector.
  • Support at Home: A new program rolls out alongside the Act, with revamped funding models and greater transparency about the cost of staying at home.

Originally scheduled for July 2025, the reform rollout was delayed to 1 November 2025. Government and sector feedback highlighted the need to avoid disruption, especially with systems, provider readiness, and communication still evolving. This means that consumers are offered accountability with care decisions, with safer and fairer access and protection. The Aged Care providers are expected to align services with new rights-based regulations and improve standards. 

The Aged Care sector continues to implement a major overhaul focused on new digital and regulatory systems, staff training and continuous improvement. These reforms represent an exciting new era where person-centred care, transparency, and accountability take centre stage. For professionals working in the sector, these changes will redefine how services are measured, delivered, and improved.

 

How to find the right aged care professionals

As a specialist recruiter in the Aged Care and Disability space, I thrive on working with candidates whose sole focus is to drive change in these important sectors. If you’re a client who needs support finding the right talent, or a candidate looking for your next role, please contact me via alex@johnsonrecruitment.com.au or call 0472 510 848 for a confidential discussion.

25 August 2025

Alex Cooper

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