Watch the 2 videos to find out what the new start date for the new Act and Support at Home means for older people, providers and workers.
For older people
Until the new Act and Support at Home start, the way you receive care and services will not change – whether you receive services in an aged care home or in your own home.
If you currently receive aged care services through a Home Care Package (HCP), you will move to Support at Home from 1 November.
The new start date means providers will have more time to talk to you about how aged care is changing so you:
- understand how changes impact you
- are aware of your rights and ways to protect them
- are in charge of your decisions
- can make informed decisions
- understand what you should expect from providers and workers.
For providers and workers
The new start date means you have more time to understand what’s changing, set up new systems and train and prepare workers.
We will continue to work closely with the sector on the details of the aged care laws and support providers to deliver the changes.
The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards will also start with the new Act. Until then, the current Aged Care Quality Standards still apply.
For more information, read the frequently asked questions on the new start date.
Aged care in Australia is changing for the better.
The new Aged Care Act will make aged care safer, fairer, and more respectful.
These are some big changes, and big changes take time.
The new Act will now start from the 1st of November, 2025.
This will give providers more time to set up new systems and train and prepare workers.
It also gives you more time to understand what's changing.
Until the new Act starts, the way you receive care and services will not change whether you receive services in your own home or if you live in an aged care home.
For more information about the new Aged Care Act, visit MyAgedCare.gov.au.
The Australian Government has announced the start date of the Support at Home program has been briefly deferred.
If you currently receive aged care services through a Home Care Package, you will now move to Support at Home from 1 November 2025.
Before 1 November, your provider will contact you to review your care plan and advise you of their new pricing.
They will also prepare a new or updated service agreement with you. This is needed to continue to deliver care services under Support at Home.
This is an important conversation, and you should use it to ensure that you receive the services that best support you.
Contact your Home Care Package provider for questions about your care.
If you want to learn more about the Support at Home program, visit MyAgedCare.gov.au.