Your care, your rights

The new Aged Care Act 2024 commenced on 1 November 2025 – the most significant reform in nearly three decades. 

It's designed to create a simpler, fairer, and more transparent system that puts older people’s rights at its core.  

You will see a stronger focus on respect, safety, and choice in every part of aged care, whether you receive help at home or live in residential care. 

National Seniors Australia is committed to keeping older people informed about these changes and is developing resources to help seniors under the new system.  

We understand that many people are already paying for their care. With the new Support at Home program, we want to reassure you that no one will have to pay for their clinical care. However, some contributions may be required for independent living services and everyday support.  

In this article, we explain some of the key changes to the aged care system.

Support at Home Co-Payments

One of the big changes to the system is the new Support at Home program, this replaces the existing Home Care Package Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Program (and will eventually include all aspects of home and community care, including the existing Commonwealth Home Support Program).  

Under Support at Home there will be a single assessment process to determine what supports you are eligible for. One of the biggest changes is to the amount of consumer contributions you may have to make. 

Many people make contributions towards their care under the old Home Care Package Program. Under the new Support at Home program, there will be changes to the way home care services are costed, which will depend on the type of services and when you enter the system.  

While no one will have to pay clinical supports (e.g. nursing care, allied health), contributions will be required for independence services (e.g. personal care like showering, social support, therapeutic services, respite, transport and assistive technology) and everyday living services (e.g. domestic assistance, home maintenance and meals).

These costs will also vary based on your individual financial situation. 

People already in the system are grandfathered (before 12 September 2024) and benefit from the “no worse off” principle. If they do not pay fees, their contributions should not exceed what they were under the old system (in fact, they would be lower!). 

Those entering into the system after 12 September will come under new consumer contribution arrangements that increase for people with higher means.

It is important to remember that the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended that a levy be used to increase revenue to pay for increased demand for aged care services. This was rejected by both sides of politics as unworkable. In its place, both sides of politics agreed to apply new consumer contributions as the means of making aged care more financially sustainable under the new Aged Care Act.

Transitioning to Service Agreements

From 1 November, you will need to finalise a new service agreement. This involves negotiation between you and your provider to determine what the service plan will include to meet your ongoing needs.

If you are transitioning to Support at Home, you still have time to sign your service agreement with your provider, if you haven’t already done so.

• You’ll receive a letter from Services Australia with your individual contribution rate in the coming weeks.
• Once you have received your letter, you have up to a maximum of 90 days to sign your agreement, so you have time to consider your individual circumstances.
• You can continue receiving services after 1 November without signing your new agreement. 
• Accepting services after 1 November does not mean you have accepted your new agreement.
• During the transition period, your provider cannot end your services because you have not signed your service agreement.

Better Support and oversight

The new, rights-based Act delivers on 58 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

Older people now have more say in their care and more control over their lives. Aged care providers must respect their rights and treat them with dignity.

Providers will now face stronger accountability, more transparent reporting, and stricter quality standards to ensure that your care and well-being always come first. 

The stronger complaints system now includes an independent Aged Care Complaints Commissioner who will deliver a rights-based approach to addressing complaints and achieving restorative outcomes for older people.

All providers must now be registered under the new regulatory model and meet the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.

Registered Provider

Under the new Aged Care Act, older people are entitled to be treated with respect and are presumed to have the capacity to make decisions.

However, you can choose to have someone assist you in managing your aged care services. Their role is referred to as a registered supporter. The registered supporter’s role is to help you make your own decisions, which gives you greater control over who can act on your behalf. 

Having a registered supporter does not stop you from being able to receive information, make decisions or communicate directly with others, including aged care providers, My Aged Care and assessors. 

To prepare for the new registered supporter role, you and your representatives may want to review your existing relationships in My Aged Care. 

At NSA, we welcome reforms that recognise the rights of older people and make the system more transparent.

NSA will continue to monitor the rollout and advocate for fairness, affordability, and choice, ensuring no one is left behind as the new Act takes effect. 

Resources and training are available to support older people, their families, and caregivers in understanding the changes and to help providers and workers implement the new Act. 

We understand that this transition, along with the potential for increased consumer contributions, may cause concerns for older people. 

If you feel that these changes have affected your ability to receive or afford aged care services in the community, you are not alone. For assistance with the new system, first contact your providers, My Aged Care, at 1800 200 422 or reach out to the OPAN Aged Care Advocacy line at 1800 700 600.

To stay informed about the new aged care system, subscribe to our Your Care, Your Rights Aged Care campaign or check out the resources on our aged care pages.