CHSP Provider Community of Practice Hub

New Aged Care Act

The Australian Government is developing a new Aged Care Act to strengthen Australia's aged care system. The new Act aims to ensure that people who access aged care services funded by the Australian Government are treated with respect and have the quality of life they deserve. Anyone with an interest in aged care can provide their feedback and help shape the Bill before it is introduced to Parliament in 2024. The exposure draft includes the parts of the Bill that incorporate the most significant changes proposed to the aged care system. The Government wants feedback on these changes as a priority before they finalise the Bill.

Opportunities to be involved in the consultation

• Consultation on the new Aged Act - Closes 8 March 2024
• Complete the feedback survey. A survey phone line will soon be available.
• Attend the Aged Care Act Webinar - Thursday 18 January 2024
• Written submissions by email or post are due no later than 6pm QLD time on Friday 16 February 2024
• Upcoming Consultation Workshops - Consultation workshops are being held in capital cities and some regional centres across Australia to discuss the draft new Aged Care Act and hear your feedback. Online drop-in sessions will also be available
  • Brisbane - 19 January
  • Cairns - 29 January + 30 January
  • Mackay - 31 January
  • Gold Coast - 9 February
  • Toowoomba - 13 Febrauary
  • Logan - 14 February

Consultation Papers / Diagrams

• Exposure draft - Aged Care Bill 2023 - This is an exposure draft of the Bill for the new Aged Care Act that is the focus of the current public consultation.
• A new Aged Care Act: exposure draft - Consultation paper no. 2 - The detailed paper guides the current public consultation on the draft new Aged Care Act
• A new Aged Care Act: exposure draft - Consultation paper no. 2 summary - Plain English Version -This paper is a plain English summary of the detailed consultation paper which guides the current public consultation on the draft new Aged Care Act
• The new Aged Care Act - What's new? What's different? - This diagram outlines what is new and what is different in the draft new Aged Care Act
• Aged care system governance under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines the system governance functions to be included in the new aged care system under the draft new Aged Care Act
• Making a nominee arrangement under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines the steps to make a nominee arrangement under the draft Aged Care Act
• Who will be able to access aged care under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines who will be able to access Commonwealth-funded aged care and the common process to access care under the draft new Aged Care Act
• A stronger aged care regulator under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines the functions and powers of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission under the current legislation and under the draft new Aged Care Act
• Phases of aged care reform - This diagram outlines the phases of aged care reform from 2022 to 2026
• A rights-based approach under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines the key points that place the person and their rights at the centre of the draft new Aged Care Act
• Upholding the rights of older people under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines how the rights of older people can be upheld under the draft new Aged Care Act
• Aged care services model under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram shows the links between service types and other aspects of the aged care services model under the draft new Aged Care Act
• Whistleblower protections under the draft new Aged Care Act - This diagram outlines the requirements for whistleblowers to make a qualifying disclosure, under the draft new Aged Care Act

Resources

• A new Aged Care Act - Frequently asked questions - This document answers frequently asked questions about the draft new Aged Care Act
• A new Aged Care Act: The foundations - Consultation summary report - This report summarises the feedback received from the new Aged Care Act foundations consultation held in August and September 2023
• New Aged Care Act and Support at Home Program Update - This webinar provided updates on the development of the new Aged Care Act, a new model for regulating aged care, the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards, and in-home aged care reforms, including the new Support at Home Program
• Ask questions of the Government via email