The introduction of the Aged Care Act 2024 has set a new direction for the sector and it is already shaping practice across residential aged care and home care. Leaders know the reforms are significant, but many staff on the floor have yet to receive clear, practical guidance on what the changes mean for their roles.
Equip Aged Care Learning, developed by the Wicking Dementia Research and Education Centre at the University of Tasmania, is working to fill that gap. The program delivers free, bite sized education for frontline roles, and more than 45,000 workers have enrolled since its launch in 2022.
Two new modules are now available. One covers the Aged Care Act 2024 and the other explains Support at Home, the new program designed to help older people remain independent for longer. Both modules were created in collaboration with the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing.
“Both these new modules help aged care workers to understand their responsibilities and obligations under the Aged Care Act 2024,” said Dr Azam Bazooband, Academic Lead for Equip Aged Care Learning at the Wicking Dementia Centre.
Making sense of the Aged Care Act
The Act emphasises rights, autonomy and individual preferences, situating them at the centre of every interaction. The Equip module covers the Statement of Rights, the Statement of Principles, the Code of Conduct and the Aged Care Quality Standards.
“These are the principles that guide how you work and the way you interact with the older person, their support network, and the care team.”
The module uses everyday examples to show what rights based care looks like in practice, from supporting decision making to adjusting care for individual needs. It also makes clear that the Act is designed to protect workers too.
“Importantly, the module also explains that the Act supports a strong and capable workforce through a Code of Conduct, screening for workers and protecting staff who raise concerns.”
For leaders trying to build confidence and consistency in staff decision making, this grounding is essential.
“By understanding the Act, you can play your part in ensuring that every person receives high quality care,” said Dr Bazooband.
Support at Home and the shift to independence
The second module explains how Support at Home will work, including the single assessment process and the role of Registered Supporters who help older people navigate services. It sets out how support planning, care partners, support workers and home care teams coordinate care, with an emphasis on flexibility and community connection.
For Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander older people, the module notes that assessments may be carried out by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander assessment organisations where available in recognition of cultural safety and community ties.
The education reinforces the core role of home care workers in maintaining independence. It highlights practical skills such as understanding personal goals and routines, communicating effectively with teams and recognising early signs when support needs to change.
Education built for real workloads
Equip modules are intentionally short, with 10-minute videos, downloadable infographics and a quiz to generate CPD certificates that can be sent directly to managers.
“Equip seeks to facilitate this, acknowledging the fact that workers do not have much time and need a free, short, sharp way to access information,” said Dr Bazooband.
Modules can be completed on a computer, tablet or phone, at work or at home, and at a pace that fits around shifts.
The reforms mark a significant reset in how care is framed. Staff who understand the Act and the new Support at Home framework will be better prepared to provide care that is safe, rights based and aligned with each person’s preferences..
Equip has been offering education in fundamental aged care topics since 2022, addressing learner’s needs and responding to changes in the sector. More new modules will be released in 2026-2027.
Access Equip Aged Care Learning here: https://equiplearning.utas.edu.au/
