Aged Care Blog

aged care bill passes parliament

Aged care bill passes parliament

First published: November 2024

In line with the Once in a Generation aged care reform that was announced in September, on the 25th November 2024, the Albanese government has passed the aged care bill allowing for elderly Australians to have access to better aged care services and delivery.

The Royal Commission into Aged Care and Quality listed 148 recommendations in their final report, published in 2021, with the bill acknowledging the first one: a new Aged Care Act.

What will the new Aged Care Act mean for aged care residents?

To be implemented on the 1st July 2025, the new Act focuses on three major areas of reform:

  • Strengthening of the existing 8 Aged Care Standards
  • Toughening the regulatory model
  • Introducing a Statement of Rights to ensure that voices of older persons receiving aged care in Australia are heard, their rights are addressed and their needs are met

In conjunction with the new Act, the Support at Home program launches on the same date, with $4.3 billion being invested into those wanting to stay in their homes for longer. This aims to improve wait times for home care and add 300,000 more places on the program by 2035. Home modifications will be provided to champion independence and accessibility and focus on meeting the needs of the individual as a priority.

For those already receiving aged care, services and funding will be improved. The Government will remain as the biggest contributor financially. For every $1 an aged care resident provides, the Government will contribute $3. The new Act will not introduce new taxes or levies.

Public consultation on Aged Care Rules

The discussions around the Aged Care Rules are ongoing, and the Government is inviting the public to share their thoughts and feedback. These Rules will determine how the Aged Care Act operates.

The aim of collecting feedback to use in implementation is to:

  • set out how the Rules will affect the elderly population and the care services they receive
  • providers to liaise with the Government so they can better understand what they need to be prepared for the Aged Care Act changes
  • for older people who are receiving aged care and home care to fully understand what the new Rules will mean for them

To find out more about submitting feedback and public consultations, visit the Department of Health and Aged Care website

Our Aged Care recruitment services

Aged care is at the heart of what we do. If you are looking for staffing support on a temporary, contract or permanent basis, or are open to new opportunities within the aged care market, speak to our team today:

Register with us

Looking for a new opportunity
in the aged care sector?

Register today

Expert staffing solutions

Need staffing support on a temporary, contract or permanent basis?

Send an enquiry

Subscribe Here!

Subscribe to our blog!

Leave a Comment





Aged care blog
Establishing and maintaining work role boundaries in aged care

First published: November 2024 Working in the aged care industry gives you opportunity to develop close relationships with the residents in your care. The superheroes that are healthcare professionals understand their patients and residents on a deeper level, especially in aged care as nurses can be interacting with the same residents for years. Work role…
Aged care careers

First published: April 2025 Aged care careers cover working in clinical and non-clinical roles across an array of environments including residential aged care, home care/independent living and retirement communities. There is a wealth of employment opportunities that will allow you to explore roles that fit your knowledge and skills, that you can make a long…
An interview with an Aged Care AIN

First published: June 2024 We are proud of our incredible nursing team, showing dedication day in and day out to the residents that they care for. Our aged care recruitment services are spread across Australia, providing staffing solutions on an ad-hoc, short term contract/block booking and permanent basis in metro, regional, rural and remote areas…
How to become an aged care worker

First published: November 2023, revised April 2024 The aged care industry encompasses the services provided and delivered to care for the elderly population. The Department of Health and Aged Care governs the quality of these services and focuses on continuous improvement and development, with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission in charge of government…
Delivering impact: how our partnership with Alphacrucis University College is changing the lives of Pacific Islander aged care workers

First published: October 2024 Sanctuary Recruitment and Pulse Staffing Australia, under the global healthcare partner Acacium Group, have secured a bid for this year’s Pacific Australian Labour Mobility (PALM) Scheme. Aiming to fill labour gaps and alleviate work shortages across the country in a multitude of sectors, the PALM scheme allows for workers from the…
Duties and responsibilities of an aged care worker

First published: July 2024 Aged care workers working in the Australian aged care industry are responsible for more than just fundamental duties and responsibilities. They are expected to provide personal, emotional, and holistic support to their residents, playing a key part in a resident’s twilight years. Working in aged care is an admirable profession, one…
Celebrating International Nurses Day

First published: May 2024 International Nurses Day, celebrated around the world on the 12th May each year, recognises the importance of healthcare professionals, in particular recognising the role that nurses play in our society. This day, the anniversary of Florence Nightingale’s birth, calls to our attention the unwavering commitment that nurses show everyday across every…
The Australia Federal Budget 2024 – 25: what it means for aged care

First published: July 2024 Last month, the Federal Budget for 2024 – 25 was released. It is broken down into five main initiatives: Easing cost-of-living pressures Building more homes for Australians Investing in a Future Made in Australia Strengthening Medicare and the care economy Broadening opportunity and advancing equality All of these initiatives are underpinned…
Aged care bill passes parliament

First published: November 2024 In line with the Once in a Generation aged care reform that was announced in September, on the 25th November 2024, the Albanese government has passed the aged care bill allowing for elderly Australians to have access to better aged care services and delivery. The Royal Commission into Aged Care and…
A guide to the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) and AN-ACC

First published: Demember 2024 For those receiving aged care services in residential aged care homes, the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) was used by the Australian Government to allocate subsidy amounts of residential aged care providers. Payments were based on the ongoing needs of residents and included a variety of factors such as activities of…