In this section, you can find out how the aged care changes put older people at the centre of the aged care system, why the new Aged Care Act (new Act) is so important, and how the changes might impact you if you were already approved for or receiving aged care services.
Improving Australia’s aged care system
Everyone deserves access to high-quality care and support as they age – whether you remain in your own home or move into an aged care home. The new Aged Care Act, which commenced on 1 November 2025, makes positive, lasting changes to aged care to put your rights, wishes and needs first.
The new Act features:
- a Statement of Rights for older people
- improved choice and control
- fair costs through funding and pricing protections
- better support for people to continue living at home
- strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and stronger powers for the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
- improved complaints handling and resolution
- improved quality of care including obligations on providers to be more transparent and accountable.
These changes are important for everyone in Australia. We all want to feel confident that we can access affordable, safe and suitable support as we age.
Empowering older people
A new registered supporter role
You may want or need support to make or communicate decisions about your life, including the aged care support and services you receive.
The registered supporter role is one of the changes under the Act that promote your rights to be supported to make your own decisions, if needed.
Increased provider transparency
Sharing information publicly about costs, spending, and Star Ratings for aged care homes helps keep providers accountable and helps you to compare and choose what’s best for you.
Making sure your rights are upheld
You can speak up, make a report and raise concerns if you feel your rights have not been met. The new Act provides additional protections so you can give feedback or make a complaint without fear of being punished or receiving unfair treatment.
How the changes impact you
If you were already approved for or started receiving services as at 31 October 2025, there will be changes to some aspects of your care. But you shouldn’t be negatively impacted by the changes.
For current care recipients, your provider will continue to provide the services they have always delivered to you, in the same way, while the new rules to improve quality of care come into effect in the background.
Changes to fee arrangements
On 1 November 2025, aged care fees changed. However, the ‘no worse off principle’ means that, if you were already receiving or approved for a Home Care Package on or before 12 September 2024 or in permanent residential care on or before 31 October 2025, you can choose to either stay on your current fee arrangements or opt in to the new arrangements.
If you were assessed as eligible for a Home Care Package before the start of the new Aged Care Act, you will receive Support at Home funding equivalent to your assessed Home Care Package level.
Changes to My Aged Care regular and authorised representative roles
If you had a regular or authorised representative active in My Aged Care on 31 October 2025, these roles were automatically transitioned to the registered supporter role on 1 November. This new role aims to promote older peoples' rights to be supported to make their own aged care decisions.