Aged care reforms explained

October 24, 2024

Southern Cross Care prepares for aged care reforms

The aged care sector is always evolving, and over the years, we have successfully navigated and adapted to numerous changes by addressing challenges and seizing opportunities.

Southern Cross Care NSW & ACT is preparing for developments relating to the new Aged Care Act, which aims to put older people at the centre of the aged care system. This includes creating a simple single-entry point with culturally safe assessments, implementing rules to ensure older people have choice and control, and strengthening the powers of the aged care regulator.

The changes are in response to recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The federal government has introduced the ‘Aged Care Bill 2024’ to Parliament and once passed it will become the new Aged Care Act which is expected to start from 1 July 2025.

These reforms will see changes to the amount that some residents and clients pay for care and services – however changes to fees only apply to future recipients. The changes to the fee structure are designed to ensure Australia’s aged care system is sustainable in the long-term. It’s also important to note that the reforms are still being finalised and consultation is ongoing. 

Aged Care Quality Standards

The Aged Care Quality Standards are being strengthened as part of the proposed new Aged Care Act.

There are seven new Quality Standards in the final draft: the person, the organisation, care and service, the environment, clinical care, food and nutrition and the residential community.

The strengthened Quality Standards aim to be more measurable, detailed and comprehensive than the current Standards. They place older people at the centre of care, increase protections for older people, support people living with dementia, better include people from diverse backgrounds and provide stronger requirements for clinical care and food nutrition.

The new Standards also reflect the new Statement of Rights which will be included in the new Aged Care Act that addresses concepts including person-centred care, privacy, dignity, respect, independence, diversity, choice and control.

Support at Home Program 

As part of the reforms, the Support at Home program will replace the Home Care Packages Program and Short-Term Restorative Care Programme from 1 July 2025. The Commonwealth Home Support Program will transition to Support at Home no earlier than 1 July 2027. 

The aim is to better support older people to remain independent in their homes for longer through a range of ways including an increase in places, focus on early interventions, and new assessment and classification arrangements. 

Support at Home will provide support for: clinical care (e.g. nursing care, occupational therapy), independence (e.g. help with showering, dressing and medications), and everyday living (e.g. cleaning, gardening, shopping and meal preparation). 

There will be eight levels of ongoing funding classifications, replacing the current four-tier system. Additionally, the program will provide two short-term care pathways, and three funding tiers for assistive technology and home modifications. 

For more information: 

https://www.health.gov.au/our-work/aged-care-act

https://www.health.gov.au/sites/default/files/2024-10/support-at-home-program-handbook.pdf