The top 10 things you need to know about aged care reform

From 1 November the new Aged Care Actis in effect, bringing reform to all aged care services. We've compiled a list of important things to know about what has changed and what has remained the same.

My Aged Care

My Aged Care will continue to be the contact point for anyone who wants to be assessed or reassessed for government-funded aged care. You can call My Aged Care on 1800 200 422 or visit the website; myagedcare.gov.au

New names to learn

The language the government uses to describe aged care programs has changed. Understanding the new names will help you to better understand communications from the government into the future. The new ‘Support at Home program’ replaced the ‘Home Care Packages Program’ and ‘Short-Term Restorative Care Program’ on 1 November 2025. Under ‘Support at Home’, people who need support to live independently at home are assessed and then approved for services in three main categories including ‘clinical care’, ‘independence’ and ‘everyday living’.

Support at Home streams

Although Support at Home is a single program, it does have different streams of funding that clients may access at different times. This includes the Restorative Care Pathway - for support to build strengths and capabilities over a 12 week program, the End of Life pathway - for people in the last 12 weeks of their life, and the Assistive Technology and Home Modifications (ATHM) Scheme - for people who need equipment, technology or modifications to help them live at home.

Contributions to care

Under the new Aged Care Act, the way people contribute to the cost of their care has changed. Unlike the previous system, which had more general means-tested care fees, the new model introduces specific, tiered contributions. Overall, the new system aims to make contributions fairer and more sustainable by requiring those with greater financial means to pay a larger share of their care costs, while ensuring a safety net remains for those with lower means.

The lifetime cap

Under the new Act, a lifetime cap of $130,000 (indexed) applies to a person’s non-clinical care contributions. This means that once a person's total payments for non-clinical care reach this amount, they will no longer have to pay this fee. This cap, which also includes contributions made under the new Support at Home program, replaces the previous lifetime cap of $82,347 (indexed).

Supporters

People accessing Government-funded aged care services are now able to register one or more ‘Supporters’. Supporters can request, access or receive information, and assist people to communicate their decisions. Supporters must be registered through My Aged Care and anyone who was a regular or authorised representative in this system on 1 November automatically became a Supporter, unless they opted out. Importantly, Supporters cannot make decisions on behalf of older people unless they are also authorised under State or Territory-based legislation as a substitute decision maker, such as through an Enduring Power of Attorney or an Advance Care Directive.

New rights

From 1 November, the new Statement of Rights applies for each and every person receiving government funded aged care services. The Statement of Rights gives people who receive aged care services the right to:

• make their own decisions about their own life
• have their decisions not just accepted, but respected
• get information and support to help them make decisions
• communicate their wishes, needs and preferences
• feel safe and respected
• have their culture and identity respected
• stay connected with their community.

New standards

The new Aged Care Act introduces strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. These new standards reduce the previous eight standards to seven, with a new, standalone standard for Food and Nutrition to ensure aged care residents receive high-quality, enjoyable, and nutritious meals. The strengthened standards also place a greater emphasis on person-centred care, reinforcing the rights of older people to make decisions about their own lives and care, in alignment with the Statement of Rights.

The National Priority System

Under Support at Home the National Priority System (NPS) for accessing government-funded home care has changed. The NPS may also be called the waitlist. Under the new system, older people receive a rating of urgent, high, medium or standard based on their assessment. The date they are approved for funding is also taken into account.

But most of all…

We are here for you.

Our Southern Cross Care team understands that the aged care reforms may cause concern. We will do our best to support you, keep you informed and ensure you continue to receive the quality care you deserve. Please reach out to us if you have any questions, or call 1800 852 772.

Disclaimer: Information around the reforms changes regularly at this information is only correct at the time of publishing. The information provided relates to Government-funded services but is not necessarily the views of the Government.