Reform

Older Australians are now waiting twice — first to be assessed, then for care. A $1.2 billion system built for access has instead become a barrier.

The two fault lines of in-home preventative care and ignoring bed building obstacles must go from being ignored, to being front and center, to meet the boomer demand that has arrived.

Bulk-billing changes arrive with hopes to inch towards care accessibility improvements, particularly preventative opportunities for seniors. Concerns for further reform remain.

Australia’s Support at Home pooled funding trial will test whether older people can combine part of their care budgets to access shared services. Drawing on lessons from the UK, the trial explores how collective funding could improve flexibility, connection and value in home care.

Delays, waiting lists and rising costs are driving more families to abandon government-subsidised home care. Fiona Somerville, Managing Director of Acquaint, says the reforms taking effect on 1 November have done little to ease pressure — and families who can afford to pay more now expect far greater flexibility, reliability and value than the system can deliver.

Australia’s new, rights-based Aged Care Act takes effect on 1 November 2025, marking one of the most significant shifts the sector has seen in decades. With change comes uncertainty and opportunity for the industry. Cameron McPherson, Chief Executive Officer of Medical & Aged Care Group (MACG), reflects on the challenges and opportunities facing both providers and residents.

From 1 November, new rules under the Aged Care Act 2024 will hold providers accountable for the quality and safety of services delivered by third parties. Providers must show they can oversee complaints, feedback and workforce compliance across all associated providers, including contractors and franchisees.

Australia’s aged care system isn’t short of warnings; it’s short of beds. Years of policy drift on the national provision ratio have left the sector roughly 30,000 residential places below planning benchmarks, with hospitals now bearing the overflow.

With the new Aged Care Act and Strengthened Quality Standards set to take effect on 1 November, a national poll reveals only 3% of providers feel fully prepared. Governance, financial strain and workforce burnout top the list of concerns as confidence in government readiness remains low.

With aged care leaders leaving posts after shorter tenures, does the sector have to ask if longevity must be purposely pursued?