Cassandra's Compass
Recent Aged Care Changes
Key reforms and updates to Australian aged care legislation, funding, and quality standards — what families and carers need to know.
Major Reform Period: 2024–2025
Australian aged care is in the most significant period of reform since the system was established. The changes below were triggered largely by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2021) and affect everyone receiving, providing, or advocating for aged care services. Understanding these changes helps families advocate effectively.
1 November 2025Legislation
New Aged Care Act 2024 — Fully Commences
- The Aged Care Act 2024 replaces the Aged Care Act 1997 — the most significant legislative reform in Australian aged care history
- Moves from a compliance-focused model to a rights-based framework centred on the dignity and autonomy of older people
- Introduces enforceable rights for older Australians in aged care — including the right to make decisions about their own care
- Strengthens obligations on providers regarding transparency, quality of care, and accountability
- New governance and leadership obligations for registered providers — Responsible Person requirements tightened
- Enhanced protections for people living in residential aged care against abuse, neglect, and poor quality care
- Families and representatives have strengthened rights to participate in care planning and raise concerns
1 November 2025Home Care Reform
Support at Home Program — Replaces Home Care Packages
- The new Support at Home program replaced Home Care Packages (HCPs) on 1 November 2025. CHSP is a separate program that continues — it will not transition before 1 July 2027
- Eight new funding categories (Classification Levels) replace the previous 4-level HCP structure
- More flexible, individualised budgets — people can design their own support mix rather than receiving a fixed package
- Restorative and allied health supports are more accessible under the new model
- Short-term transition support available for people recently discharged from hospital
- End-of-life pathway provides additional funding for those in the last 3 months of life
- Existing Home Care Package recipients are transitioned — no one should lose services during the changeover
- Contact My Aged Care (1800 200 422) for individual guidance on how your current package will transition
2024–2025Quality & Safety
Aged Care Quality Standards — Updated & Strengthened
- Updated Aged Care Quality Standards align with the rights-based framework of the new Act
- Stronger focus on personal dignity, identity, and choice — Standard 1 is now explicitly rights-based
- Workforce standards strengthened — minimum staffing requirements introduced for residential aged care
- Registered Nurse (RN) on site 24 hours a day, 7 days a week has been mandatory in all residential facilities since 1 July 2023
- Star Rating system for residential facilities is publicly available — consumers can compare providers
- Increased unannounced inspections by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
- Expanded whistleblower protections for aged care workers who raise concerns
1 July 2023Workforce
24/7 Registered Nurse Requirement — Now in Force
- Every residential aged care facility must have a Registered Nurse on site and on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week — required since 1 July 2023
- This requirement predates the current reform wave: it commenced under the Aged Care Act 1997, via the Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Registered Nurses) Principles 2023 — over two years before the Aged Care Act 2024 — and it remains in force
- Facilities must publicly report staffing data — residents and families can check compliance
- Non-compliance can result in sanctions, banning orders, and revocation of provider registration
- This is a direct result of Royal Commission recommendations and advocacy by families and staff
1 October 2024Workforce
Care Minutes — Increased to 215 Minutes
- Residential aged care must deliver a sector-wide average of 215 care minutes per resident per day — increased from 200 minutes on 1 October 2024
- At least 44 of those minutes must be provided directly by a Registered Nurse — increased from 40 minutes on the same date
- Up to 10% of the Registered Nurse component may be met by Enrolled Nurses
- Care minutes cover direct care only — nursing, personal care, and allied health support delivered to the resident
- Providers must report their care minutes quarterly, and performance feeds the Staffing rating in the Star Ratings system
- The original 200/40 standard came from Royal Commission recommendation 86 — the 215/44 figures are the government’s uplifted requirement
2025Transparency
Aged Care Star Rating System — Enhanced
- Star Ratings for residential aged care facilities are displayed publicly on My Aged Care
- Ratings cover: Residents' Experience (survey-based), Compliance, Staffing, and Quality Measures
- Families can use Star Ratings to compare facilities before making a decision
- Star Ratings are updated regularly — check myagedcare.gov.au/find-a-provider
- A 1–2 star rating indicates serious concerns — the Commission will be actively monitoring these providers
2025Rights & Safety
Restrictive Practices — Stricter Oversight
- Restrictive practices (physical restraint, chemical restraint, environmental restriction, seclusion) require strict authorisation
- Any use of a restrictive practice must be documented, time-limited, regularly reviewed, and approved by the person or their representative
- Chemical restraint (use of medication to control behaviour, not for therapeutic purpose) is specifically regulated
- Family members and representatives have the right to be informed of and involved in decisions about restrictive practices
- If you believe a restrictive practice is being used inappropriately, contact the Aged Care Quality & Safety Commission on 1800 951 822
Information reflects Australian aged care legislation and policy as of June 2026. Aged care reform is ongoing — check health.gov.au and agedcarequality.gov.au for the most current updates. This page is for general information only and does not constitute legal advice. — Cassandra's Compass, 2026
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The Royal Commission into Aged Care taught us one thing above all else: the system must be built around the person, not around the institution.
— Cassandra's Compass, Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2021)
Verified against official sources on 1 October 2026