With the Aged Care Act 2024 set to commence on November 1, 2025, the Federal Government is delivering on its promise to place older Australians at the heart of the system.
This new legislation replaces outdated frameworks and introduces a rights-based approach to aged care.
At its core is a statement of rights, enshrining the dignity, autonomy and cultural identity of every older person accessing government-funded care.
These rights include equitable access, safe and quality care, privacy, freedom of choice and the ability to stay connected to loved ones and community.
For legal professionals and care providers alike, the implications are profound.
The act introduces a registered supporter role to assist individuals in navigating care decisions, strengthens whistleblower protections and mandates culturally safe care — particularly for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.
From a service delivery perspective, the Support at Home Program, which launched in July, will streamline in-home care by replacing the current Home Care Packages and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme.
Meanwhile, residential care providers will see changes to accommodation pricing, with the cap for room charges increasing to $750,000 for new clients.
These reforms are not just legislative — they are cultural.
They signal a shift from a system that has too often failed its most vulnerable, to one that respects the rights, voices and preferences of older Australians.
At Nevin Lenne Gross, we welcome these changes and encourage our community to engage with the new framework.
Whether you are a family member, carer, or aged care provider, now is the time to understand your rights and responsibilities under the new act.
For those navigating this transition, we are here to help.
— Rebecca Healy, principal lawyer and director, Nevin Lenne Gross
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