Read the latest news on how we are transforming aged care across Australia.
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We have updated our booklet on the changes to aged care in Australia, which you can order or download from our website.
15 April 2024
News and stories
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In February 2024, in-home aged care providers participated in a series of online workshops to help refine the new Support at Home program. Read what we heard and find out our next steps.
26 April 2024
Are your personal and financial details up to date with Services Australia or the Department of Veterans’ Affairs? Services Australia reviews aged care fees about once a month to check you are paying the right amount for your current circumstances.
15 April 2024
Are you over 65 years old or severely immunocompromised? You can now receive a COVID-19 vaccine every six months.
15 April 2024
We have updated our booklet on the changes to aged care in Australia, which you can order or download from our website.
15 April 2024
Caring for someone who is dying can be difficult. Families and friends often play an important role in providing day-to-day care. CarerHelp has free online resources to help you care for someone nearing the end of their life.
12 April 2024
The department is conducting assessments to check on the accuracy of care minutes and 24/7 Registered Nurse information reported by residential aged care homes. This ensures transparency and trust in the reports that inform Star Ratings.
4 April 2024
The report by the Aged Care Taskforce has now been published and includes 23 recommendations.
15 March 2024
Have you thought about the care you would like to receive if you become seriously ill? Advance care planning helps to ensure your health care preferences are known and respected if you can’t speak for yourself.
15 March 2024
The Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner wants to hear from you on improving care for older First Nations people across the aged care system.
15 March 2024
The My Aged Care website ‘Find a Provider’ tool now shows information about how much aged care providers are spending on care, food, wages and more.
7 March 2024
10 Questions to Ask is a series of leaflets written by nurses, doctors and experts with experience in aged care. Use these leaflets to make sure you ask the right questions about residential aged care.
21 February 2024
Do you live in a residential aged care home? What do you think about the care you’re getting? You can tell us what you think in our Residents’ Experience Survey.
21 February 2024
Public consultation on the draft new Aged Care Act has been extended to 8 March 2024. Have your say and help shape Australia’s aged care system.
14 February 2024
Thank you for your response in the latest 2023 Aged Care Reforms Survey for older people. Your feedback will help us better inform you about aged care reforms.
31 January 2024
We have released a draft of the new Aged Care Act for feedback. You can get involved in our consultation by attending an in-person workshop, completing a survey online or over the phone, or sending us an email or letter.
18 January 2024
Emergency leave for COVID-19 has been extended to 31 December 2024. This means that aged care residents can stay with family during a COVID-19 outbreak without paying extra fees.
18 January 2024
A refreshed membership has been announced for the National Aged Care Advisory Council.
18 January 2024
You’re invited to participate in a study which aims to improve the wellbeing of older people who receive residential care or Home Care Packages.
15 January 2024
All the information you need about volunteering in aged care is now in one place. If you’re an older person or volunteer, check out the new webpage today.
15 January 2024
Andrea Kelly has been appointed as the Interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner. This role will encourage culturally safe, tailored and flexible aged care services for First Nations people.
11 January 2024
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Advisory Council provides expert advice on the functions of the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commissioner. Andrea Coote has been reappointed to the Advisory Council, and Professor Valerie Braithwaite has been newly appointed.
9 January 2024
The Medical Costs Finder is a website which helps you find the typical costs of private specialist medical services.
9 January 2024
We’re pleased to announce a new term and appointment of members for the Aged Care Council of Elders.
20 December 2023
We’ve released the feedback from public consultations on the new model for regulating aged care.
5 January 2024
We held a webinar for aged care providers to hear practical advice to support quality improvement activities and achieve better outcomes for residents. Find out what we heard.
15 December 2023
We have been consulting with residential, home care and retirement living providers on the future of the aged care market Read about the consultation and what we heard.
15 December 2023
If you need support to make decisions about aged care, Aged Care Specialist Officers can help you. You can now make an appointment in person or via video chat.
14 December 2023
Christmas, summer and the festive season is a time many of us spend with our family and friends. Make sure you know the basics and protect yourself and loved ones from COVID-19.
14 December 2023
We are committed to delivering in-home aged care that will help older people, their families and carers. The new Support at Home program will be delivered in two stages to minimise disruption and ensure continuity of care.
14 December 2023
If you have concerns or questions about the food and dining experience in aged care homes, you can now call a dedicated hotline.
16 November 2023
The Continence Aids Payment Scheme (CAPS) covers some of the cost of products that help you manage incontinence. Find out about eligibility, how to apply and what you can claim.
8 November 2023
People aged 65 years and over can now access free shingles vaccination under the National Immunisation Program (NIP). This is a safe and effective way to protect yourself from serious illness caused by shingles.
8 November 2023
In August 2023, we ran a public submission process for the Aged Care Taskforce on the draft aged care funding principles. Read what we heard and find out our next steps.
6 November 2023
The draft National Aged Care Design Principles and Guidelines aim to make aged care homes a better place to live.
19 October 2023
In August and September 2023, we ran consultations on the proposed foundations of the new Aged Care Act. Read about what we heard from you, and our next steps.
17 October 2023
The department has partnered with the Australian Library and Information Association to share information about changes to aged care.
16 October 2023
If you’re an older person receiving Government-funded aged care services, you may be interested in regular visits from a volunteer who will provide friendship and companionship.
16 October 2023
Respite care is when someone else takes care of your loved one, so you can have a break. It’s available to support older people and their carers when they need it.
16 October 2023
On 1 October 2023, ‘care minutes’ became mandatory in aged care homes across Australia. Older people will now receive the dedicated care time they need for everything from essential medical treatment to help with daily activities.
16 October 2023
Did you know age continues to be the biggest risk factor for severe COVID-19 disease? Find out the latest advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
22 September 2023
Over 4,000 people attended our fourth webinar on the reforms to in-home aged care on 18 May 2023. Read what we heard and find out our next steps.
22 September 2023
This week (18 – 24 September 2023) is Dementia Action Week, a national awareness-raising campaign to challenge common misconceptions about dementia. Find out how you can get involved.
20 September 2023
If you are a family member, volunteer or carer for an older person, you may be interested in free online modules that provide practical and relevant information about aged care.
20 September 2023
All aged care homes must have a registered nurse available to care for residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can now see how each aged care home in Australia is meeting their 24/7 registered nursing responsibility by visiting our website.
20 September 2023
Results from our Volunteers in Aged Care survey suggests there are opportunities to better meet the needs of aged care volunteers and volunteer managers.
15 September 2023
Scholarships for nurses, personal care workers and allied health professionals working in aged care.
15 September 2023
We’re improving the quality of life for people in aged care homes through food and nutrition initiatives.
17 August 2023
The latest update to Star Ratings shows quality in aged care homes is improving.
17 August 2023
The Council on the Ageing (COTA) and the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) are hosting in-person consultation forums across Australia. The forums will give you the opportunity to give feedback in a safe and inclusive setting.
17 August 2023
Dr Kay Patterson AO has always had a strong interest in issues affecting older people. Kay recently spoke at the National Press Club of Australia about what needs to be done to protect the rights and wellbeing of all Older people, and some of the challenges that still lie ahead. “We can build a better cultural inheritance for an ageing Australian and, in fact, we must.”
17 August 2023
StepUp for Dementia Research connects people to researchers studying dementia prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.
25 July 2023
Aged care homes must now have at least one registered nurse available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so residents have access to the care they need, when they need it.
25 July 2023
More support soon available for carers and people living with dementia through dementia-specific respite services.
25 July 2023
An inspiring intergenerational art exhibition is breaking down age barriers and creating images that capture the spirit of a generation.
25 July 2023
A Consumer Advisory Body gives you another avenue to have a say in the quality of the care and services you receive, by providing feedback to those running your aged care service. Hear from Maggie, Jo and Jan as they talk about their experience on their advisory body.
25 July 2023
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has released a new fact sheet to help you understand your right to make choices about food and drink.
25 July 2023
The latest results to the second Aged Care Sector Pulse Survey are in. The survey provides valuable insights into the sector’s adoption, preparedness and awareness of aged care reforms, their confidence in the reforms and their communication needs.
14 July 2023
For more than 40 years, Danijela Hlis has supported people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds through her work as an interpreter and translator. As a Member of the Council of Elders, she continues to support CALD communities and is passionate about making sure people’s needs are understood and met as changes are made to the aged care system.
9 June 2023
The Australian Government has released the aged care reform roadmap to provide an indicative timeline for key reform elements. Our aim is to help the sector understand what’s coming, be involved in reforms and prepare for the changes ahead to improve aged care.
9 June 2023
More than 1,100 people attended a webinar hosted by the department on 9 May 2023, to learn more about the details of the proposed new model for regulating aged care and receive an update on the new Aged Care Act.
1 June 2023
In late 2022 we consulted widely on the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. Read about the insights and feedback we heard through this consultation.
1 June 2023
We sat down with Emeritus Professor Valerie Braithwaite, Professor of regulatory studies at the Australian National University and member of our Expert Advisory Panel, to find out why strong relationships are the key to regulating aged care.
25 May 2023
The National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program gives aged care providers and government insight into how aged care homes are performing, and where improvement is required. On 1 April 2023 the QI Program expanded its focus to capture 6 new crucial areas of care.
18 May 2023
My Health Record is a safe and secure place to save your health information online. It allows you and your healthcare providers to quickly and easily access information about your health including past test results, medications and treatments.
18 May 2023
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has released fact sheets to help you to know how to make changes to your food and dining experience and resolve any issues.
18 May 2023
Professor John McCallum is passionate about making a difference to aged care. He has notched up more than 50 years working in ageing research, policy and advocacy. John is eager to improve the lives of older people, and says he sees his role in the Council of Elders as being someone to “help interpret the research” that underpins the reforms.
12 May 2023
The department recently hosted a webinar to share information about the new quality indicators introduced in residential aged care on 1 April 2023.
9 May 2023
In November 2022 we released a National Dementia Action Plan consultation paper to gather public feedback, which received over 1,000 responses. Read what we heard and our next steps.
26 April 2023
We are seeking feedback on the details of the proposed regulatory model for aged care, and how it will be implemented.
April 2023
We’ve been consulting with stakeholders across aged care to develop a regulatory model that will support the sector to deliver high quality care to older people in Australia and introduces a better way of monitoring providers.
April 2023
Ms Anne Burgess AM has been appointed as the new Chair of the Aged Care Council of Elders for a period of 2 years. Anne has more than 40 years’ experience leading initiatives and organisations focused on social justice and understands the needs of older people.
26 April 2023
If you are a family member or carer for an older person, you may be interested in new free online modules that provides practical and relevant information about aged care.
19 April 2023
The department hosted a webinar about Residents’ Experience Surveys to help prepare residential aged care providers for the annual 2023 Residents’ Experience Surveys. A recording of the webinar and Q&As are now available.
19 April 2023
Did you know that aged care providers must offer to set up a Consumer Advisory Body, for older people using their service? A Consumer Advisory Body gives you another avenue to have a say in the quality of the care and services you receive, by providing feedback to those running your aged care service. Your feedback on the quality of care and services that you receive is important.
19 April 2023
A new booklet on reforming aged care in Australia is now available from the Department of Health and Aged Care website. The booklet is for older people and their carers and families who want to learn more about Australia’s aged care reforms and how they affect them. Read more to view or order a copy.
19 April 2023
The Department of Health and Aged Care is seeking feedback from aged care volunteers, volunteer managers, and providers to shape the future of aged care volunteering.
3 April 2023
1 March 2023 marked 2 years since the final report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was tabled in Parliament, a critical milestone in the journey to restoring dignity to older people in Australia.
21 March 2023
Services Australia now provides Aged Care Specialist Officers in 80 service centres nationwide, ensuring older people have the support they need when making important decisions about aged care.
14 March 2023
The Serious Incident Response Scheme is designed to protect your rights to be safe and receive quality care. You can also contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission directly with concerns regarding aged care incidents.
14 March 2023
Sue McCann is passionate about making sure older people have choice and control over their aged care. With more than 40 years’ experience working in the aged care sector, Sue has valuable experience and insights to share as a member of the Council of Elders.
14 March 2023