Australia's Aged Care Reform Roadmap represents a critical step forward in addressing the pressing challenges faced by the country's ageing population. With an increasing number of older Australians requiring support and care, the roadmap serves as a comprehensive and ambitious plan to reshape the aged care system, ensuring that it is person-centered, safe, and sustainable.
By placing a strong emphasis on quality of care, workforce development, and governance, the Aged Care Reform Roadmap aims to deliver a transformative and inclusive approach to aged care, fostering a society that values and supports its elderly citizens with dignity and respect.
Aged Care Reform Roadmap: upcoming activities
May 2023
- The role of a new Complaints Commissioner in the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission commences.
June 2023
- The Elder Care Support Program will recruit and train a skilled workforce to provide face-to-face support to assist First Nations elders navigate and access aged care services (68 staff). The initiative is in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
July 2023
- Funding the 15 per cent award wages increase for many aged care workers commences.
- Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner is staffed and resourced to consult with First Nations peoples, providers and communities around the country about the design of the permanent First Nations Aged Care Commissioner.
- The Office of the Inspector General of Aged Care is established and the appointment of the acting Inspector-General will commence.
- Requirement for approved residential aged care services to have a registered nurse onsite and on duty 24 hours a day, 7 days a week commences on 1 July.
- Expansion of the Community Visitor Scheme from 1 July. The scheme will be renamed the Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme (ACVVS).
- The Responsibility for financial monitoring will transfer from the department to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC), as part of the ACQSC’s expanded role as the prudential regulator.
- The new Food and Nutrition Advisory Support Unit (FND Unit) – Staffed by specialists within the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and dietitian experts will be established.
- Integrated Care and Commissioning trials progressively rolled out in 10 sites around Australia in geographically and culturally thin markets, focussing on opportunities to support providers and communities to deliver services across care and support sectors especially aged care and disability.
August 2023
- A new Food Complains and Advice ‘hotline’ will be established.
October 2023
- From 1 October, the mandatory residential aged care minutes will increase to 200 minutes. This will include 40 minutes from a registered nurse to improve the quality of care that older people receive.
- Enrolled Nurse Care Minutes - delivered in residential aged care will be published with Star Ratings on the My Aged Care ‘Find a Provider’ Staffing pages.
- Aged care providers are required to submit annual information about their operations by 31 October.
December 2023
- The exposure draft for a Bill for a New Rights-Based Aged Care Act will be ready as part of the consultation process for the legislation.
- 24/7 Registered Nurse coverage in residential aged care will be published with Star Ratings on the My Aged Care ‘Find a Provider’ Staffing pages.
- Release of the national aged care data and digital strategies, that will collectively improve the lives of older people through digital connection and support informed choices about care.
January 2024
- Financial information from residential aged care providers will be published on the My Aged Care website. This is part of the Dollars Going to Care measure.
- Residential, home care and transition care provider transparency – Will be published on the My Aged Care website.
March 2024
- The new Home Care Workforce Support Program to attract, train and retain new and existing workers and grow the home care workforce will be completed.
June 2024
- Beginning of the new residential aged care system, Places to People. Places will be assigned directly to older people, and this will provide them with more choice and control over which provider delivers their care.
- The Elder Care Support Program, the national service to provide face-to-face support to assist First Nations elders navigate and access aged care services will increase to 110 staff.
July 2024
- The Commonwealth Home Support Program will be extended for 12 months. CHSP will continue until 30 June 2025.
- A new Aged Care Regulatory Model comes into effect. It sets out a new approach to regulating aged care.
- Following the review of the Aged Care Quality Standards, the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards will start, to ensure older people are treated with respect, care and dignity.
- The new National Worker Screening for Aged Care requirements in aged care will come into effect.
- New Rights-Based Aged Care Act - Passage of the new Aged Care Act
- Commencement of the new Accommodation Framework, including National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines. This aims to create more home-like environments which better meet the needs of residents.
- New aged care Single Assessment System commences.
October 2024
- From 1 October, Residential Aged Care providers must meet the requirement to deliver 215 care minutes per resident per day. This will include 44 minutes of registered nurse time.
April 2025
- The Elder Care Support Program will be fully established to provide face to face support to assist First Nations elders with 250 trusted facilitators across Australia. The initiative is in partnership with the National Aboriginal Community Controlled Health Organisation (NACCHO).
July 2025
- Introduction of a new program for in-home aged care. It will deliver a seamless system of care and choice for older people.
- New English language and ongoing training requirements for Personal Care Workers commences.
- Expansion of the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program to include enrolled nurses, allied health and lifestyle staffing measures in residential aged care and work to expand quality indicators to in-home aged care.
How can I find a residential aged care home near me?
Residential aged care homes are located throughout Australia. To begin your search, simply click on your state below and then enter in your desired suburb (or the name of the aged care provider if you already have a home in mind):
Where can I access Home Care Packages?
Home Care Packages are available Australia-wide. To begin your search for home care providers in your area, simply click on your state below:
