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New Aged Care Act introduced

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Knox City Council is contracted by the Commonwealth Government to provide a limited number of Commonwealth Home Care Programme (CHSP) services.

From 1 November 2025, Australia’s aged care system will operate under a new rights‑based law: the Aged Care Act 2024. Introduction of this new legislation impacts all Australian older people and aged care service providers.

These legislative changes are designed to give older Australians - and those who support them - more rights, clarity and protection, without disrupting existing care. While the changes don’t require action from clients, they do represent an important step forward in the fairness and quality of aged care in Australia.

If you or someone you care about is, or will be, receiving aged care services, here’s what to expect under the new Aged Care Act.  

What’s new 

  • A Statement of Rights will enshrine what people accessing aged care can expect
  • Quality standards will be strengthened to make sure care is safe, responsive and centred on individual needs
  • Greater protections when people raise concerns or make complaints - and safeguards so they can do so without fear of unfair consequences
  • The ability to register a support person (or people) to assist in decision‑making where desired
  • A new independent Complaints Commissioner to help oversee that complaints are handled fairly and transparently.
  • From 1st November, all new clients will have a Service Agreement established upon service commencement, and existing clients will have one completed during their next annual review.

Importantly, these changes aim to strengthen rights and protections of older people, rather than impose burdens. There is no action required by current CHSP clients - existing arrangements and services continue. 

What’s not changing 

  • Services clients currently receive under the Commonwealth Home Support Program will continue under the existing model until further transition to Support at Home program in June 2027.
  • No immediate change to how client day‑to‑day care is delivered or agreed services
  • Clients will not need to reapply or renegotiate their care because of the new law.

More information

If you or someone you care about has further questions, please feel free to call our Community Care Services team on 9298 7373.

For more information, you can also visit our webpage.

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