Aged Care Act delayed four months
This is the time needed to get things right, says Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson following the announcement that providers now have until 1 November to be ready for the new implementation date.
Anthony Albanese has announced a delay to the commencement of the new Aged Care Act weeks out from the initial scheduled date, with 1 November the new kick off date.
The delay, which has been welcomed by providers and consumers, has been announced in response to advice from the sector and experts that more time will improve the delivery of the reforms and minimise disruption, the has indicated.
“The Albanese Government has made no secret of the fact that this is an incredibly ambitious reform,” said Minister for Health and Ageing Mark Butler.
“These are once-in-a-generation reforms, which put older Australians at the centre of aged care.
“We want to make sure that all operational, digital and legislative pieces are in place before the rollout starts.”
Ageing Australia chief executive officer Tom Symondson said the peak body fully supported the new rights-based Act but applauded Prime Minister Albanese, Mr Butler and Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae for listening to the concerns of the sector regarding the implementation timelines.
“We fully support the new rights-based Aged Care Act, but the simple truth is we’re not ready to introduce all the sweeping reforms by 1 July. Providers have been working around the clock to ensure a smooth transition, but we just haven’t received all the information we need in order to proceed,” Mr Symondson said.
“The additional time will give us the critical space we need to finalise agreements, systems, and processes.
“This is a win for the 1.4 million older Australians, who rely on aged care. We need to do this reform once and do it right. We hope this extension will help us get closer to that goal.”
On the sidelines of the peak’s Victorian Conference Mr Symondson told Australian Ageing Agenda the relief among providers was palpable when they were told the news.
“This is not a moment for us to take the foot off the pedal. This is the time we needed to get some of those basic things right,” he told AAA.
“I can’t tell you how relieved our members will be about this announcement. We’ve been advocating for this for so long.”
Like Ageing Australia, Catholic Health Australia had also advocated for a delay in the implementation and has welcomed the news – with chief executive officer Jason Kara saying the delay will allow for a smoother transition and less chance of unintended negative consequences.
“Reform of this magnitude and importance should not be rushed. We welcome this announcement today and thank the government,” Mr Butler, and Mr Rae “for their constructive engagement,” Mr Kara said.
The Older Persons Advocacy Network has also expressed its support – although admittedly reluctantly – for the delay, saying overall it is the right decision for older people.
“Until now, OPAN has been steadfast in its call for the Act to be implemented, as promised, on 1 July 2025, because older people can’t get the aged care they need without it,” OPAN chief executive officer Craig Gear said.
“However, over the past weeks, it has become increasingly apparent that, while the macro design of the reform is solid, older people don’t have the necessary information to make informed choices at an individual level, particularly around the new Support at Home program.
“We are also concerned that the appropriate systems aren’t yet in place to ensure continuity of care and services for older people during the transition.”
However, Mr Gear said the sector must maintain momentum.
“This is not the time to take our foot off the pedal. Older people have been waiting years for an Act that enshrines their rights in legislation. This delay risks pushing out the timeline for them to receive more timely and rights-focused aged care,” he said
“We need to use this four-month window to urgently address outstanding issues, which include accessible hardship provisions for those with limited means, and roadblocks in the single assessment system which are exacerbating waiting times for in-home aged care.
“Older people must also be provided with the level of detail they need to make informed choices and give their informed consent.”
Mr Rae said the delay was about ensuring the new Act and Support at Home is ready for older Australians and their families.
“I have spent my first weeks as Minister for Aged Care and Seniors listening to older Australians and stakeholders who have generously shared with me both the importance of the new Aged Care Act, and the importance of getting it right,” he said.
“We have already achieved so much in partnership with older people, providers, workers and the sector,” he added.
“This brief deferral will allow more time to bed down key changes to reduce aged care assessment times, in line with community expectations.
“We will continue to work hand-in-hand with older Australians, the sector and the taskforce to make sure the benefits of these once-in-a-generation reforms are realised.”
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