From 1 November 2025, Australia’s aged care sector will operate under a new legislative framework that places older people and their rights firmly at the centre of care delivery. The new Aged Care Act, alongside the launch of the Support at Home program, represents the most significant reform to the system in decades. While older Australians stand to benefit from stronger protections and improved services, aged care workers will also see major changes to how they work, train, and uphold standards of care.
The government has made clear that workers are not only frontline providers but also guardians of dignity, fairness, and safety in aged care. A new video released by the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing explains the five key areas that will directly affect aged care workers and outlines the support available to help them adapt.
Placing Rights at the Heart of Care
Central to the Act is the introduction of a Statement of Rights and Statement of Principles. These documents enshrine the entitlement of older people to be treated with dignity, respect, and fairness. For workers, this means care delivery is no longer only about compliance with policies but also about demonstrating respect for residents’ choices and cultural needs every day.
For example, the Statement of Rights ensures that older people have a say in their care decisions, can access culturally safe services, and are protected against neglect or abuse. Workers will need to translate these rights into practice—whether it is supporting a resident’s dietary choices, facilitating their religious practices, or ensuring open communication with families. The Statement of Principles provides guidance to align workforce behavior with these commitments, making workers accountable to higher standards of empathy and professionalism.
Worker Screening and Safety
The new system will strengthen worker screening requirements, tightening background checks to ensure that only appropriately qualified and safe individuals enter the aged care workforce. This reform is a response to findings from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which highlighted instances of neglect and abuse linked to insufficient vetting.
For existing workers, this may mean undergoing re-screening processes or updating compliance records. For new entrants, it sets a higher bar from the outset. Employers will need to implement updated HR processes, while workers will need to prepare for additional checks that may include criminal history, work references, and identity verification. The goal is clear: to build community trust by ensuring that those working with vulnerable populations meet the highest integrity standards.
Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
Another major shift is the reinforcement of the Aged Care Quality Standards. These standards already exist, but under the new Act they will be expanded and monitored more rigorously. They cover areas such as personal care, clinical safety, governance, and workforce capability.
For aged care workers, this translates into more structured training, clearer accountability, and closer alignment with evidence-based practice. Workers will need to demonstrate not only technical proficiency but also communication, compassion, and cultural competency. The strengthened standards are also designed to ensure consistency across providers, meaning staff who move between facilities will encounter more predictable expectations.
Complaints and Transparency
The reforms also create stronger mechanisms for complaints handling. Older people and their families will have easier access to lodge complaints about care, and providers will be required to respond more promptly and transparently.
For workers, this has two implications. First, staff will need to be proactive in raising concerns when they observe risks or poor practices, rather than waiting for issues to escalate. Second, they will need to participate constructively in complaints investigations, providing information and engaging in resolution processes. While some may see this as added pressure, the intent is to create a more open, learning-oriented culture where complaints are treated as opportunities to improve.
Whistleblower Protections
The new Act also formalises whistleblower protections. Workers who report misconduct, abuse, or unsafe practices will be legally protected against retaliation from employers or colleagues. This change reflects lessons from the Royal Commission, where frontline workers often feared speaking up due to job insecurity.
These protections encourage a cultural shift toward transparency. Workers who act in good faith to protect residents will have the law on their side. This could increase reporting of misconduct, leading to faster interventions and safer environments. For organisations, it means building stronger support systems for staff to speak out without fear.
Training and Support for Workers
To help staff transition smoothly, the Department has released self-paced eLearning modules and other resources. These materials focus on workers’ obligations, residents’ rights, and practical scenarios they may encounter under the new system.
Employers are encouraged to integrate this training into professional development programs, ensuring that staff across roles—nurses, carers, allied health workers, and managers—understand their responsibilities. Continuous training is vital, not only to meet compliance requirements but also to upskill the workforce for future challenges such as dementia care, palliative services, and digital health integration.
Impacts on the Workforce
The reforms recognise that workforce sustainability is central to aged care quality. Australia’s aged care sector employs more than 366,000 direct care workers, according to government data, and demand is set to rise significantly as the population ages. By 2050, nearly one in four Australians will be aged 65 or older.
The new Act positions workers as the backbone of reform. Improved rights frameworks, clearer standards, and stronger protections are expected to make aged care jobs more attractive and rewarding. However, this also raises expectations. Workers will need to commit to lifelong learning, embrace transparency, and adapt to evolving care models.
What This Means for Providers
Providers must prepare for significant operational adjustments. They will need to update governance structures, HR processes, and complaint-handling frameworks. Facilities must also invest in training systems that ensure every worker understands the new rights and standards.
Failure to comply could lead to penalties, reputational damage, and reduced government funding. Conversely, providers who adapt quickly stand to build stronger reputations, attract skilled staff, and foster trust with residents and families.
Broader System Implications
The Act is not just about compliance. It reflects a broader cultural shift in Australian aged care—from a system sometimes criticised for institutional shortcomings to one where older people’s voices and rights are central. For workers, it means becoming advocates as much as caregivers. For society, it signals recognition that ageing with dignity is a collective responsibility.
Internationally, the reforms place Australia among a growing group of nations strengthening elder rights. Countries such as Canada, Sweden, and Japan have also moved toward rights-based frameworks. By embedding dignity, safety, and transparency into law, Australia is setting a standard that others may follow.
The Road Ahead
With less than a month before implementation, the next steps are critical. Workers are encouraged to watch the government’s explanatory video, complete the eLearning modules, and engage in discussions with supervisors about how the reforms apply to their daily roles. Professional associations, unions, and training organisations are also ramping up support to ensure a smooth transition.
The success of the reforms will depend not only on government enforcement but also on how workers embrace their expanded role as champions of older Australians’ rights. Every decision—whether it involves medication management, social activities, or complaint resolution—will now be measured against the benchmark of dignity and respect.
A Defining Moment for Aged Care
The new Aged Care Act represents a defining moment for the sector. It acknowledges past failures, sets higher expectations, and gives workers the tools and protections they need to succeed. While challenges remain—such as workforce shortages, funding pressures, and the complexity of meeting diverse needs—the direction is clear.
For aged care workers, this is an opportunity to step into a more empowered role, one where their skills and integrity are recognised as the foundation of quality care. For older Australians, it is a promise that their voices will be heard, their rights respected, and their dignity upheld in the years ahead.
The reform is ambitious, but with committed workers at the core, it holds the potential to transform aged care into a system that truly reflects the values of fairness, safety, and humanity.
