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?

Expert staffing solutions

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

Send an enquiry

Subscribe Here!

Aged care blog

Palliative approach in aged care

First published: August 2025 The spectrum of palliative care covers more than just end-of-life care. A palliative approach to aged care encompasses methods to improve the quality of life for individuals with life-limiting illnesses, to ensure they are as comfortable as possible. Types of palliative care In residential aged care, palliative care is delivered with…

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…

Aged care worker salary earnings in Australia in 2025

Revised January 2025 An aged care worker salary in Australia is increasing with the demand. It was reported that there is a need for at least 110,000 direct aged care workers across the country in the next decade. The aged care industry is made up of many different roles, both clinical and non-clinical, with a variety…

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…

The human side of dementia care

What I’ve learned visiting aged care homes across australia By Rhiannon Dhoot, Client Relationship Manager at Sanctuary Recruitment Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to visit a number of aged care homes across Australia, including facilities that specialise in dementia care and homes with dedicated dementia support units. Although every home has…

Your guide to getting involved in aged care volunteering

First published: May 2025 Aged care volunteering is an opportunity to give back to the community whilst providing companionship and support to older people whilst both living in aged care homes or receiving home care. Aged care volunteering options that are available include assisting with daily living activities to make day to day tasks easier,…

6 steps to aged care compliance readiness

As Australia’s aged care landscape continues to evolve, compliance has never been more important. With the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards and the new Aged Care Act that came into effect on the 1 November 2025, providers must be confident that their workforce, systems and processes are up to standard. These obligations apply across residential…

How our remote area nurses help aged care providers thrive in hard-to-staff regions

Regional and remote aged care homes are facing significant staffing shortages. The Nursing Supply and Demand 2023-2035 report predicts that this will increasingly impact service delivery across these areas over the next 12 years as unmet demand continues to rise. The sustainability of the aged care workforce depends on providers implementing long-term strategies that attract…

Standard 6: why food and nutrition matter more than ever in aged care

By Rhiannon Dhoot, Client Relationship Manager at Sanctuary Recruitment I’m Rhiannon, Client Relationship Manager at Sanctuary Recruitment. Over the past few months, I’ve had the opportunity to meet with aged care providers across Australia, visit a range of homes and learn more about the challenges and priorities shaping the sector today. One topic that has…

The true cost of non-compliance in aged care staffing

When we talk about compliance in aged care staffing, the conversation often focuses on regulations, accreditations, audits and minimum ratios. But non-compliance is far more than a box-ticking failure. Its true cost is human, financial, reputational and moral. Understaffing due to lack of compliance isn’t just a workforce issue. It affects quality care and delivery,…