Share Your Input: The new Aged Care Act is in development, and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission wants your input! A public consultation is currently underway, seeking your feedback on the foundations of the Act.

Why the Change?

The current Aged Care Act 1997 needs an overhaul. The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety recommended a new Act that places seniors at the heart of the system, enabling fundamental change in the aged care sector.

What's Happening?

The Department of Health and Aged Care is working on the new Act alongside other sector reforms. They are developing stronger Aged Care Quality Standards and a new regulatory model. The goal is to make positive changes for older Australians.

Key Dates: The consultation is open until September 8, 2023. If passed in Parliament, the new Act is scheduled to start on July 1, 2024.

What's New?

The new Act will prioritise seniors' needs, not just funding providers. It ensures rights, simplifies access and introduces stronger oversight. It aims for high-quality, safe aged care services.

The new Act will:

• Put older Australians first in the aged care system.

• Clearly tell the rights of older Australians looking to access funded aged care services.

• Make it simpler to enter the system with a single-entry point and clear eligibility.

• Use a fair, culturally sensitive assessment framework.

• Create new oversight and accountability systems.

• Introduce a new way of regulating risk to improve care quality.

• Give more power to the Commission for enforcement.

Your Voice Matters: Be a part of this transformation! Share your insights and help shape the future of aged care.

Visit the Aged Care Engagement Hub for more details.

Source: New Aged Care Act 2023, Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission website, Australian government, accessed 19 August 2023, <https://www.agedcarequality.gov.au/about-us/new-aged-care-act>