What are the changes coming to residential care?
A major aged care reform is set to be rolled out from July 2025. You may have seen this reform in the news, as it’s been in the works for some time.
The reform will have impacts on both in-home and residential aged care, with some positive changes already rolled out, and some still to come.
At Feros Care, we are well prepared for all changes, with the implementation of a new rostering system throughout our villages already in place, and our move to an electronic medical record system in 2022.
Our team is happy to have a greater ability to continually review and improve our quality of care in line with the Aged Care Standards.
Latest reform updates
Here are the most current updates relating to the upcoming aged care reform.
September 12, 2024
Aged Care Bill 2024 Introduced to Parliament
The Australian government has introduced the Aged Care Bill 2024 to Parliament, setting the foundation for a new Aged Care Act to commence on 1 July 2025.
They have also shared the changes coming to residential care, including higher maximum room prices and a new means-tested contribution for people coming into residential aged care.
Learn more about the reform
Stay informed
There are a few ways to stay in touch with updates as we receive them at Feros Care.
The Reform timeline
Your easy guide to what’s already happened – and what’s next to come.
October 2018
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety is established to look into the quality and safety of aged care in Australia.
March 2021
The Royal Commission tables its final report in Parliament, calling for an overhaul to the aged care industry.
January to July, 2022
The Department of Health and Aged Care conducts consultation activities with a range of stakeholders (including older Australians).
October 2022
The Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC) replaces the Aged Care Funding Instrument (ACFI) in residential aged care. This funding is set to better match resident care needs and ensure a more equitable distribution of funding across the sector.
A star rating system for residential aged care is also introduced to help consumers make informed decisions about their aged care.
December 2022
A New Code of Conduct for Aged Care is introduced.
May 2023
The government establishes a new aged care task force to provide advice in critical areas. They also commence trials of a new assessment tool and an assistive technology loan scheme.
June 2023
The Australian Government releases a roadmap on all reform activity. The roadmap runs through indicative timelines for reform elements from October 2022 to July 2025, including consultation activities and events. Click here to find the roadmap.
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission announces that all providers are required to introduce Consumer Advisory Bodies for consumers and their representatives. Click here for more information, or click here to express your interest.
July 2023
A new ‘care minutes’ requirement is introduced to residential aged care, and requires a registered nurse onsite 24 hours per day from July 1, 2023.
This also includes:
- A sector-wide average of 200 minutes of care time (with an average of 40 minutes of registered nurse time) from 1 October 2023
- A sector-wide average of 215 minutes of care (with an average of 44 minutes of registered nurse time) from 1 October 2024
March 12, 2024
The government releases the Aged Care Taskforce Final Report. The Council of Ageing (COTA) highlights that among the report’s recommendations, it addresses access to aged care for all – regardless of their capacity to pay, as well as improved consumer protections.
June 2024
The new residential aged care system, ‘Places to People’, begins. Places are assigned directly to older people, which provides them with more choice and control over which provider delivers their care.
July 2024
The new Accommodation Framework comes into effect for residential aged care environments. This aims to create more home-like environments which better meet the needs of residents.
September 12, 2024
The Australian government introduces the Aged Care Bill 2024 to Parliament, setting the foundation for a new Aged Care Act to commence on 1 July 2025.
They also share the changes coming to residential care, including higher maximum room prices and a new means-tested contribution for people coming into residential aged care.
October 1, 2024
From 1 October, residential aged care providers must meet the requirement to deliver 215 care minutes per resident per day.
July 1, 2025
The new Aged Care Act commences. The new act is a rights-based approach that places older people and their needs at the centre of the legislative framework. This bill replaces outdated legislation, bringing aged care in line with modern needs and the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
Additional resources about the upcoming reform
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The Department of Health and Aged Care has additional information about the government’s response to the review into aged care funding, the new aged care act, the reforms and more. Read Aged Care reform updates from the Department of Health and Aged Care.
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The aged care reform roadmap provides more information on upcoming activities.
Have your say about the upcoming reforms
- Get involved with the consultations by emailing [email protected].
- Regular newsletters and factsheets will be published this year to provide information, progress updates and transition processes for older Australians. Sign up for the Feros Scoop newsletter for regular monthly updates as we receive them.
- If you’re a client, we also communicate all key updates through our free web portal and hub, MyFeros. For help and instructions on how to sign up, click here: myferos.com.au/help
Join the Feros Care Consumer Advisory Body
Have your say on care and service quality, and share this feedback with the Feros Care Executive Team.
Stay informed of reform updates
Fill in the form below to subscribe to our monthly Feros Scoop email newsletter. Receive the latest updates about the aged care reform, as well as feel good stories and other great tips and resources.
Are you an existing Feros Care client? You can also receive ‘Support at Home’ updates through MyFeros, our client portal.