News and updates

An Aged Care Home resident and their visitor patting a dog

Program in focus: Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme

If you are feeling lonely, isolated or need help building new social connections, you can access support through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor’s Scheme (ACVVS). The ACVVS is a free program that can help you connect to a volunteer support network in your community.

Image Description: an illustration of three health professionals next to a pot plant.

My Aged Care no longer supports fax

The My Aged Care fax number (1800 728 174) is no longer available as of 31 July 2023. You can still contact My Aged Care by phone, in person, or by post.

Star Ratings for aged care homes

All government-funded aged care homes in Australia now have a Star Rating. Star Ratings make it easier to compare quality and make choices about your care. Aged care homes receive a rating of 1 to 5 stars.

Image Description: aged care worker in kitchen with while older woman chops carrots

Important changes to your Home Care Package budget

If you receive a Home Care Package, you will notice some changes to your package budget from 1 July 2023. This article explains what the changes are how they may impact you.

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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.

Webinar: COVID-19 updates for people living in aged care homes

You’re invited to a free webinar, to learn about the latest COVID-19 updates for people living in aged care homes.

Webinar: Aged care support for older LGBTIQ people

The Older Person’s Advocacy Network (OPAN) will host a free online webinar to talk about inclusive aged care services and support available if you identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex and/or queer (LGBTIQ).

Congratulations to the Senior Australian of the Year 2022

St John Ambulance volunteer Valmai Dempsey has been named the Senior Australian of the Year 2022.

You’re invited to a free online Christmas performance

The Older Person’s Advocacy Network (OPAN) is inviting older Australians and aged care homes to be part of an online Christmas celebration.

New features to My Aged Care website – December 2021

Read about the latest updates and features that were added to the My Aged Care website in December — including a new homepage, new costs information and improvements to help you connect with aged care providers.

Webinar: The Ageing Mosaic – First Nations Communities

The Older Person’s Advocacy Group is hosting a webinar to help older First Nations Australians, their families and carers with strategies to age well.

Program in focus: ACVVS

Face-to-face support for aged care services

A new My Aged Care face-to-face service is now available to help older Australians access government-funded aged care services.

Webinar: Your wellbeing - Social and emotional strategies

The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) will host a webinar next Tuesday, 26 October, to help older Australians and carers adjust to life as COVID-19 restrictions ease.

New features on My Aged Care website – October 2021

Read about the latest updates and new features that were added to the My Aged Care website in October—including help getting started on your aged care journey, the 'Help Explorer' tool and improvements to the 'Find a provider' tool.

Celebrating National Carers Week 2021

The week of 10-16 October is National Carers Week, to celebrate and recognise the 2.65 million Australians who provide care and support for a family member or friend.

How to get your COVID-19 digital certificate

You can now show if you are vaccinated against COVID-19 with a digital certificate. Once you are fully vaccinated, you can download a COVID-19 digital certificate using your Medicare online account through MyGov.

Join the conversation on Ageism Awareness Day

Friday, 1 October is the International Day of Older Persons and Australia’s first Ageism Awareness Day. To mark the occasion, Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) and the Council of the Ageing (COTA) are holding live online events.

New map shows aged care home worker vaccinations rates

All residential aged care workers must receive at least a first COVID-19 vaccine dose by 17 September 2021. You can now find out the rate of worker vaccinations at every aged care facility in Australia. To find out more view the interactive map on the Department of Health’s website.

Webinar: How reforms will support aged care workers

The next webinar in a series on aged care reforms in Australia will focus on how these reforms can grow and support a highly skilled aged care workforce. This webinar will take place on Monday, 2 August 2021.

Webinar: Aged care reforms for people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds

How will people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds benefit from the planned aged care reforms in Australia? Join us on Thursday, 22 July 2021 to learn more at our next aged care reform webinar.

Webinar: A focus on dementia

The next webinar in a series about aged care reforms, on 21 July 2021, will focus on how these reforms will improve quality of life and care for people living with dementia.

Webinar: Improving outcomes for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people in aged care

The next webinar in a series about aged care reforms, on 19 July 2021, will discuss how these reforms will deliver aged care improvements for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people.

New grief and bereavement website

The Australian Centre for Grief and Bereavement has developed a new website for people living and working in aged care who have been impacted by COVID-19.

OPAN: Stay Connected and Supported

A new initiative from the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) is linking older Australians to a range of services which can help them stay connected and supported in their communities.