Practice teams supporting older residents and their carers may be keen to know that the new Aged Care Act, originally due to commence on 1 July 2025, has been postponed until 1 November 2025. This decision was made to allow providers, government systems, and older Australians to be better prepared for the sweeping reforms.
The new Act places the rights and life quality of older Australians at the centre, aiming to ensure they have access to care that is dignified, personalised and safe.
The major changes includes a new streamlined Single Assessment service, which is already in place, with current Home Care Packages being replaced by a more flexible 8 levels of Support at Home from 1 November.
Assessment wait times are reducing, although it can take up to 9 months for care packages to be received. Older people are now able to upload their care plans to My Health Record, as they can their Advance Care Directives.
There are updated Quality Standards for all those who provide care to older people.
A new End of Life Pathway will also come into play on 1 November 2025, with up to $25,000 allocated to people in their last 12 weeks of life. To be eligible, a patient will need to be assessed and referred by a GP or nurse practitioner.
While most of the reforms will not change your clinical scope as a GP or primary care practitioner, they may influence how you collaborate with aged care services and other clinicians and how care for older patients is coordinated.
Support is available
Healthy North Coast is here to support you in navigating these changes, and to help you prepare. We will be in touch with you regarding an upcoming information session. Until then, please see the resources available via the link below:
You can also register your interest to be involved in our Aged Care Act information events as soon as they are scheduled.
