The Albanese Labor Government’s Aged Care Bill has today passed Parliament, ensuring once-in-a-generation reforms to aged care.
 
Member for Blair Shayne Neumann said the historic passing of the Bill and a new Aged Care Act meant older Australians and their loved ones would access a better system which put quality care and safety first.
 
“The rights of older people are now at the heart of the Aged Care Act, as we build a new way of working that values the safety, dignity and respect of older people in aged care.” Mr Neumann said.
 
The Bill addresses the number one recommendation of the Royal Commission and 57 further recommendations. Starting from 1 July 2025, the new Act will deliver a range of improvements including a tougher regulatory model, strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and a Statement of Rights to ensure older people and their needs are at the centre of the new aged care system.
 
Mr Neumann said older people and their loved ones would have a greater say about the care and services they receive.

“This includes protections to speak up when they’re not satisfied and better equipping providers to handle complaints more effectively.”

The new Act also acknowledges older people want to stay in their own homes for longer so they can remain healthy, active and socially connected – enacting a new Support at Home program to help them do just that.

Mr Neumann said participants would be assessed into one of 10 new funding classifications, increased from four, while Support at Home would provide for home modifications and assistive technology to maintain independence.
 
“Our $4.3 billion dollar Support at Home system will improve home care wait times and add 300,000 more places over the next 10 years, with around 1.4 million participants in care in 2035,” Mr Neumann said. 

To make sure older Australians have more flexibility and choice to meet their needs, there will be no caps to cleaning and gardening.
 
The new Act follows significant reforms in aged care, including 24/7 nursing, Star Ratings, an $11.3 billion dollar investment in worker pay rises, capped management fees and improved transparency around the finances and operations of providers.

Mr Neumann said the Albanese Government wanted to give people more choice about the kind of care they could receive, and help them stay in their home and maintain their independence for longer.

“I know many older people in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area want to live in independently in their own home. Our new Support at Home program will help make that possible and it will mean shorter wait times for people to receive help.

“But if the time comes when a person needs to move into residential care, they deserve to live in a comfortable space that meets their preferences and needs.

“These are the most significant aged care reforms in 30 years, and will improve the funding, viability and quality of aged care, and protect Australians in aged care from harm.”

Further information on the new Act is available at: health.gov.au/aged-care-act.