A new rights-based Aged Care Act
The Aged Care Act 2024 replaced the previous 1997 Act on 1 November 2025. For the first time, the rights of older people in government-funded care are legally enforceable.
It places older people — not providers — at the centre of aged care, with stronger rights to dignity, independence, choice, and involvement in decisions about their own care.
A stronger Statement of Rights
The new Statement of Rights replaced the old Charter of Aged Care Rights. Older people now have clearer rights to:
- Be treated with dignity and respect
- Make informed choices about their care and life
- Take part in decisions about their care
- Communicate in their preferred language or method, including using interpreters or communication aids
- Speak up or complain without fear of reprisal
Strengthened Quality Standards
From 1 November 2025, providers must meet strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, with a greater focus on rights, food and nutrition, clinical care, and diversity. Providers are expected to:
- Involve residents and families in care planning
- Deliver safer, higher-quality care
- Meet stronger accountability requirements
A new "registered supporter" role
Older people can now formally register one or more trusted people — often a family member — as a "supporter" to help them receive information and understand, make, and communicate decisions about their care.
A registered supporter cannot make decisions on the person's behalf unless they also hold a separate legal instrument, such as an Enduring Power of Attorney.
What's still rolling out
Some reforms are continuing during 2026. Recent and upcoming changes include:
- Care-minute accountability (from April 2026): provider funding is more closely linked to the care actually delivered.
- Support at Home price caps (from 1 July 2026): government price caps apply to Support at Home services.
- Worker screening (from mid-2026): a new aged care worker screening process is being introduced to further strengthen safeguards.
- Personal care funding (from 1 October 2026): the government will fully fund personal care services under Support at Home.
- Fees and pricing: some fees and contributions are changing through 2026 — your provider must give you notice of any changes.
Tri Tides helps families and care teams put these rights into practice — including the right to be understood. Our free Family Advocacy Toolkit and TALK bilingual communication resources are here to help.
Get the toolkit or talk to us →