The Department of Health and Aged Care is building a new Aged Care Act to replace existing aged care legislation, including the Aged Care Act 1997 and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018.
The new Act will:
- Outline the rights of older Australians who are seeking and accessing aged care services.
- Create a single system entry point, with clear eligibility requirements.
- Incorporate a fair, culturally safe single assessment framework.
- Support the delivery of a range of aged care services, including new in-home care services.
- Establish new system oversight and accountability arrangements.
- Introduce a new approach to regulating aged care to increase provider accountability and encourage delivery of high quality and safe aged care services.
Over the past year, the Department has been working closely with the aged care sector, older people, their families and carers to develop the policy in the new Act that reflects the needs of older people. If you, or a loved one, would like to be involved in the reforms and help drive change in aged care in Australia, please visit: www.agedcareengagement.health.gov.au.
The Australian Government is planning to introduce the new Aged Care Act for commencement from 1 July 2024, subject to parliamentary passage.
Source: The Department of Health and Aged Care