News and updates

2024 Residents’ Experience Survey results are out

The Residents’ Experience Survey is an opportunity for aged care residents to provide feedback and tell us about their experiences. This information provides important insights into the quality of services older people receive in aged care homes.

New video on the new rights-based Aged Care Act

Aged care in Australia is changing for the better. The new Aged Care Act starts from 1 November 2025. It includes a Statement of Rights to help make sure you are at the centre of your aged care. A new video is available to help explain what rights you have when accessing aged care services.

Now open: Improving Aged Care in Australia Survey

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is seeking feedback from older people, their families and carers about the changes being made to aged care.

New eLearning to help you get ready for the new Aged Care Act

From 1 November this year, aged care in Australia is changing. To help you, your family or carers understand the changes, the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is developing a series of free online learning modules.

Aged care information hubs at participating libraries

Learn more about the latest improvements to aged care by visiting one of the 30 aged care hubs at participating libraries across Australia.

Older person receiving assistance at home

New Support at Home resources now available

We are improving in-home aged care to help you live independently at home for longer. The new Support at Home program will begin from 1 November 2025.

New Aged Care Act to start from 1 November

The new Aged Care Act 2024 and Support at Home program start will be briefly deferred to the 1 November 2025.

Webinar: Support at Home program update

The Department of Health, Disability and Ageing is hosting a free webinar to give older people, families and carers an update on the Support at Home program.

Increase to the value of your Home Care Package

The Australian Government is supporting further increases to the award wages of many registered and enrolled nurses working in aged care. As a result of this, the government has increased how much it contributes towards your Home Care package to cover this increase.

Updated information to help you find a provider

The latest provider finance data was added to the Find a provider tool on 20 February 2025. This information can help you compare and choose aged care providers.

Webinar: What the new Aged Care Act will mean for you

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) is hosting a free webinar to take you through a summary of the new Aged Care Act roll out.

2025 Senior Australian of the Year

Congratulations to the 2025 Senior Australian of the Year, Brother Thomas Oliver Pickett AM!

New single pathway for aged care assessments

As of 9 December, the new Single Assessment System will make it easier for you to enter aged care and access different services as your needs change.

My Aged Care support plans now available in My Health Record

Your My Aged Care support plan can now be shared to your My Health Record within your myGov account.

New Aged Care Bill passes Parliament

Parliament passed the Aged Care Bill on 21 November which means the new Aged Care Act can start from 1 November 2025. It paves the way for a better, more capable system that puts the rights and needs of older people first.

Spotlight: Am I eligible?

My Aged Care’s Eligibility checker can help you quickly find out if you meet the requirements to have an aged care assessment. You will be asked a few short questions to help My Aged Care better understand your situation. This will only take a few minutes to complete.

National Redress Scheme payments to be exempt from means testing

From 1 January 2025, payments made under the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018 (National Redress Scheme) will be excluded as an asset from the aged care means assessment for aged care homes.

Important changes to your Home Care Package

The Australian Government is supporting an increase to aged care worker wages from 1 January 2025. If you receive a Home Care Package, this will mean an increase to your package subsidy.

Have your say on how Star Ratings are calculated

The way we calculate Star Ratings is changing and we want to know what you think. The Department will change the way some of the ratings are calculated, following the introduction of the new Aged Care Act anticipated on 1 November 2025.

Preparing for the new Aged Care Act

The new Aged Care Act will lead to major changes across the aged care system. Learn about what has happened since the Aged Care Bill 2024 was introduced to Parliament in September and what is coming up next.

Star Ratings for aged care homes helps make your choice easier

Are you or a loved one considering an aged care home? Star Ratings can help you research and compare homes near you.

National Carer's Week

This week (13 – 19 October) is National Carers Week. This year’s theme ‘Millions of reasons to care’ raises awareness of the over 3 million Australians providing care for their partners, family members and friends.

International Day of Older Persons

Tuesday 1 October is International Day of Older Persons. The theme for this year is Ageing with Dignity: The importance of Strengthening Care and Support Systems for Older Persons Worldwide.

Dementia Action Week

This week is Dementia Action Week (16–22 September 2024) and the theme is ‘act now for a dementia friendly future’. Dementia Action Week is an annual initiative run by Dementia Australia. It aims to raise awareness, understanding and acceptance for people living with dementia, and their families and carers.

Big changes to the aged care sector

This month was a milestone for aged care reform in Australia. The Australian Government introduced the Aged Care Bill 2024 to Parliament, announced reforms to funding and provided details of the Support at Home program. So, what do these changes mean for older Australians?

Protect yourself against scams

There have been recent reports of scammers impersonating aged care providers. These scammers are targeting older people, their families and carers.

2022 and 2023 Residents’ Experience Survey results are out

The findings, from 75,000 people across the country, will help aged care providers understand what people like about their home and what could be improved.