About the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards

The new Aged Care Act includes rights and strengthened Quality Standards my provider must understand.

This is because when they provide my aged care services, I am the centre of my aged care.

I make decisions about who provides my care, where I get my care, and when I need it.

I can get the information I need, in a way I can understand it, from my aged care provider or the government's My Aged Care website, to help me make decisions.

The people who provide my aged care services listen to me, hear my concerns, let me know what services I can access, and answer my questions.

I talk to my aged care provider and workers about my care goals.

They work with me to develop my service agreements and care plan.

I can take my time and make decisions when I'm ready.

I can choose to register a supporter to help me make and explain decisions about my care, but only if I want them to.

Registered supporters can be someone I trust, like my family members or friends. I can also ask trusted people for help even if they aren't registered supporters.

For example, I can speak to an Aged Care Advocate from OPAN to help me too.

Having a registered supporter does not stop me from doing something I can do myself, but if I don't want or need a registered supporter, I don't have to have one.

My decisions are my own. This includes my rights to have my wishes respected by the people providing my aged care services, even if this involves me taking a level of risk.

My decisions can change over time, and my provider supports me to review my choices.

My aged care provider and the people who care for me respect my rights and who I am.

My culture is important. My language, my beliefs, what I eat, the activities I enjoy, the friends I spend time with, and my likes and dislikes are all part of my care planning discussion. I want to remain connected to my people, beliefs, community, food, and Country, where I seek aged care services and support.

My aged care provider and the people who care for me talk about my life experiences and help me feel safe, welcome, and included.

My relationships with family and carers need to be respected.

My gender expression and sexual orientation are important to me and are part of who I am. I don't want to pretend to be someone else when I get older. We all deserve to be safe and a part of the community and to be respected by the people who care for us.

My privacy and the way I receive care is my choice. My aged care provider and support workers will speak to me in private about what care services I want.

I can choose to speak to my registered supporter by myself if I want to. I can also seek the guidance of family, friends, or an Aged Care Advocate from OPAN. However, at all times, my care decisions are my choice. I always have the right to feel comfortable, get the care and support I want based on what's important to me in my own home.

We don't all think, talk, and listen in the same way. My aged care provider works with me and gives me information the way I want to receive it.

My family and supporters can also help me review and consider information. I get the care and support I want based on what's important to me.

I feel safe where I live. I get the care and support I want. I can come and go as I please.

My aged care home is nice and clean. I feel comfortable here.

I know if there's an emergency or risks to my health, the aged care workers will help me.

I get the care that is right for me. Aged care workers talk to me about what aged care services I want and how I want them delivered. This includes respecting my wishes, even if this involves me taking a level of risk.

I know what medicines I need to take, and workers are available to help me. And I know what activities I can do to keep moving.

I am at the centre of creating my care plan and making decisions. I feel safe and supported where I live. I live the life I choose.

See My Aged Care to understand your rights and what good care looks like.