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Aged care reforms

Whether you receive care at home or in a residential facility, we’re here to help you understand how these changes will affect you or your loved ones.

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The New Aged Care Act and the Support at Home program will take effect on 1 November 2025.

Aged care reform

What you need to know

Stay informed with Wesley Mission Queensland, committed to building trust and enhancing the quality of aged care.

Support at home will replace Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-term Restorative Care (STRC).
Home care subsidy will change from $10,588 (Level 1) and $61,440 (Level 4) per year, to $11,000 (Classification 1) and $78,000 (Classification 8).
A new means-tested system will make aged care more affordable for those with less. High earners will likely pay more.
The 'no worse-off' principle ensures home and residential aged care recipients keep their existing services and benefits.
No-cost clinical care as services will be fully covered by the Government.
Stricter compliance and monitoring systems for nursing homes.
Faster access to assistive technology and home modifications.
Mandatory individual contribution, including those receiving full pensions.

Official government information

Explore official information about aged care reforms:

Reforms overview Support at Home Fact sheets

Aged care reforms updates

At Wesley Mission Queensland we welcome these reforms as a positive step toward a more person-centred, transparent, and flexible aged care system. While some details are still emerging, we want to reassure you that the high-quality care and support you currently receive from Wesley Mission Queensland will not change.

Featured articles, updated regularly

Reforms: changes to residential aged care Educational articles

We explain the proposed changes and how they may affect you.

Tags: Residential Aged Care, Aged care reforms

Residential aged care changes graphics - Maximum room price - Reforms
Reforms: changes to home care (Support at Home program) Educational articles

We explain the proposed changes to home care and how they may affect you.

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Aged care reform - home care changes
Aged care reforms key milestones Educational articles

From the establishment of the Aged Care Taskforce to the planned implementation of the new Aged Care Act.

Tags: Ageing well, Aged care reforms

Aged care reform key milestones

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Transitioning from HCP to Support at Home Educational articles

What you need to know about transiotioning ftrom Support at Home transition

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Aged care reform - home care changes
Support at Home webinar for seniors, families and carers Educational articles

Watch this Government webinar and read the key points.

Tags: Home Care, Aged care reforms

Support at home government webinar
Government releases the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications list Educational articles

A new equipment loan scheme has been designed to provide faster access to assistive technologies, with funding of up to $15,000.

Tags: Ageing well, Aged care reforms

Aged care reform - home care changes
New maximum room prices in residential aged care: what it means to you Educational articles

Starting in January 2025, the maximum room price will increase from $550,000 to $750,000. Understand how this affects your costs and options.

Tags: Residential Aged Care, Aged care reforms

Residential aged care changes graphics - Maximum room price - Reforms
Community consultation for residential care service list under aged care reforms Educational articles

If you like to give your input, the online survey takes 30–45 minutes to complete and closes on 20 January 2025.

Tags: Residential Aged Care, Aged care reforms

Aged care reform news - Carer takes resident for a walk
Staged price caps in new Support at Home Program Educational articles

Government announces a phased introduction of price caps for the new home care program.

Tags: Home Care, Aged care reforms

Aged Care reform - Home Care Price Caps
A new Aged Care Single Assessment System replaces ACAT today Educational articles

The Single Assessment System aims to simplify aged care assessments.

Tags: Ageing well, Aged care reforms

Aged care reform - single aged care assessment system
Reforms: changes to residential aged care Educational articles

We explain the proposed changes and how they may affect you.

Tags: Residential Aged Care, Aged care reforms

Residential aged care changes graphics - Maximum room price - Reforms
Reforms: changes to home care (Support at Home program) Educational articles

We explain the proposed changes to home care and how they may affect you.

Tags: Home Care, Aged care reforms

Aged care reform - home care changes
Aged care reforms key milestones Educational articles

From the establishment of the Aged Care Taskforce to the planned implementation of the new Aged Care Act.

Tags: Ageing well, Aged care reforms

Aged care reform key milestones
Australian aged care reforms: what you need to know Educational articles

We explain the proposed changes and how they may affect you.

Tags: Ageing well, Home Care, Residential Aged Care, Aged care reforms

Aged care reform - What you need to know

Timeline of reforms in aged care

Click on timeline to learn more.

For detailed milestones as the reforms develop, read our article Aged care reforms key milestones.

The Royal Commission was establishmed in October 2018. It was initiated due to widespread concerns about substandard care, neglect, and abuse in Australia's aged care system​.

The final Report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was delivered in March 2021, titled Care, Dignity and Respect. It made 148 recommendations to reform the aged care system, calling for significant changes in funding, governance, and care delivery​.

  • Key Findings: chronic underfunding (workforce shortages, lack of transparency, and inadequate quality assurance mechanisms), elder abuse (physical, emotional and financial), inadequate standards (poor food quality, inadequate clinical care, and insufficient support for dementia patients and those with diverse needs).
  • ​ Recommendations New Aged Care Act to replace the 1997 Act, increased funding for aged care services to meet growing demands, workforce reform (higher wages, mandatory training, and stronger regulations for staff), stronger oversight with the establishment of an independent body to oversee quality and safety, and a person-centred care with greater focus on individual needs, especially for those living with dementia.

The taskforce was created to address issues identified in the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. The Aged Care Taskforce was formed to:

  • Develop funding strategies to support reforms recommended by the Royal Commission.
  • Create a fair and equitable aged care system for all Australians, ensuring that funding aligns with the level and type of care required.
  • Build on existing initiatives, including reforms in governance, transparency, and care standards​
The report outlines 23 recommendations. Together with the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Aged Care Taskforce final report shaped many of the proposed changes, such as increased funding, a stronger focus on person-centred care, and a simplified system to improve access and equity in aged care service. To learn more, view the final report on the Government's website and the Government's response.
The Single Assessment Tool is implemented in preparation for the new Single Assessment System (replacing ACAT and RAS assessments). Currently, there are different assessment pathways. As a result, assessments are not consistent, and older people are often moved between assessment organisations as their needs change. The new system will provide a single assessment pathway that can quickly adapt to changing needs, without having to change assessment providers.
This means the new Aged Care Act would start from 1 July 2025 (on June 2025, the date was postponed to 1 Nov 2025). The Department of Health and Aged Care continues to consult on the Aged Care Rules, working closely with aged care providers and workers to allow for a smooth transition from, initially, 1 July 2025.
In June 2025, the Government postponed the starting date to 1 November 2025. The Aged Care Act focuses on building a sustainable, quality-driven aged care system that addresses both immediate needs and long-term challenges. The true impact will be seen in how these changes are integrated into everyday care and support for Australia’s aging population.
On 04 June 2025, the Australian Government announced a delay to the rollout of the new Aged Care Act 2024 and the Support at Home program. These reforms will now begin on 1 November 2025, instead of the originally planned 1 July date.
While Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs will be replaced by the Support at Home program from 1 July 2025, the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will be replaced from July 2027.
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