The strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards in Australia were initially scheduled to begin on July 1, 2025, but the start date for the new Aged Care Act (under which the strengthened standards will be introduced) has been delayed to November 1, 2025. This four-month deferral was based on feedback from the aged care sector, including providers, older Australians, their families, and caregivers.
The primary reasons for this delay are:
- Allowing more time for preparation: The sector indicated that additional time was needed to get systems, processes, and people ready for the significant changes being introduced by the new Act.
- Ensuring a smooth transition: The delay aims to minimize disruption for older Australians receiving aged care services.
- Finalizing systems and processes: The government is using this time to finalize key operational and digital processes, as well as implementation guidance and training for providers.
- Enabling parliamentary processes: The delay allows for parliament to consider an amendment bill to finalize details of the Aged Care Rules and ensure effective operation of the new Act.
- Addressing feedback and concerns: The government listened to concerns raised by the sector and experts regarding the complexity of the reforms and the need for more time to ensure smooth delivery.
This delay signifies a commitment to ensuring a well-prepared and seamless transition to the new aged care system, ultimately aiming for better outcomes for older Australians.
