Introduction of the new Aged Care Act 2024 and Support at Home program will be deferred until 1st November 2025.
The deferred start to the new Act announced on the MyAgedCare website was in response to pushback from the community: “The Australian Government has listened to older people, their families and carers, and the wider aged care sector. Feedback supports a brief deferral and will mean a better outcome for older people.”
In an open letter to older people the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae MP, (pictured above) said, “the new Act is changing aged care laws to put the rights of older people first. It includes a Statement of Rights and a Statement of Principles to guide how providers and workers must behave and make decisions.
“This extra time will allow participants to better understand the changes, so you can prepare and make informed decisions.
The deferral means providers and advocates will have more time to talk to you about how aged care is changing to make sure you are protected in charge of your decisions able to make informed decisions equipped to understand what is expected of aged care providers and workers. Aged care recipients will continue to receive safe, quality care. If you access the Home Care Packages or Short-Term Restorative Care programs, you will continue to get services under these programs until Support at Home starts on 1 November.
“The deferral allows more time for you to better understand the new Support at Home program.”
Read the letter from Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae MP