Here’s what happened recently in an aged care home in Perth: A resident used the call button to request help. Minutes pass—then an hour. No response. The family complains, only to find out later that the facility was understaffed. Not surprisingly, the facility failed an audit due to non-compliance. 

Stories like these are exactly why Australia’s aged care system needed a shake-up. For years, residents, families, and even staff voiced concerns understaffed facilities, inconsistent care, and a lack of accountability. Then came the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, which exposed the cracks in the system. The result? A shift towards a rights-based model that prioritises dignity, respect, and transparency. 

But what does this mean for aged care providers? And how can technology help facilities adapt? Let’s break down what’s changing and how providers can stay ahead.

Understanding the Aged Care Act

Not too long ago, providers focused primarily on basic care needs—meals, medication, and accommodation. The Aged Care Act was introduced to ensure older Australians receive not just care but dignity, safety, and independence. Over the years, reforms have shifted from a one-size-fits-all approach to a more person-centred model, acknowledging that every resident has different needs. 

Comparing the older version of the Act with the new one, the differences are clear. The earlier system focused heavily on operational aspects, while the new Act prioritises rights-based care, accountability, and transparency. 

What Are the Key Changes in the New Aged Care Act?

The new Aged Care Act introduces several major reforms aimed at improving the quality of care, strengthening protections for residents, and holding providers accountable.

Here’s what’s changing:

• A Stronger Rights-Based Approach: The introduction of the Statement of Rights replaces the old Charter of Aged Care Rights, giving residents greater independence, privacy, and protection from neglect or mistreatment. This shift puts residents at the centre of care decisions, ensuring their voices are heard.
• Enhanced Quality Standards: New Aged Care Quality Standards demand higher levels of quality in safety, personal care, and accountability. Providers must ensure their services meet strict benchmarks for clinical care, food quality, and emotional well-being.
• A New Risk-Based Regulatory Framework: Regulation is getting tougher, with a focus on identifying and addressing risks before they become serious issues. Complaint handling processes have also been improved to offer stronger protection for residents.
• Support at Home Program (Launching July 2025): The Support at Home program replaces fragmented home care services with personalised, needs-based care plans, giving older Australians more control over the support they receive.
• Provider Registration Categories: Providers must now register under one of six specific categories, improving oversight and accountability while ensuring they meet the right standards for the type of care they provide.

Compliance Challenges and How Technology Can Help

Many aged care facilities struggle to keep up with the new regulations. Take the case of a mid-sized aged care home in Victoria. They faced a Notice of Non-Compliance because their documentation on clinical care and incident reporting was incomplete. Staff were overworked, and keeping records manually made it easy to miss critical details. 

This is where Centrim Life can make a huge difference automated documentation, real-time incident tracking, and personalised care planning. 

Why Were Aged Care Standards Changed?

For over two decades, aged care in Australia operated under the Aged Care Act (1997). However, it didn’t work as expected:

• The system prioritised providers over residents, making it difficult to hold facilities accountable.
  
• Quality monitoring was inconsistent, leaving some residents in unsafe or undignified conditions.
  
• Families struggled to raise concerns, often facing delays or no action at all.
  

The Royal Commission Findings

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety exposed heartbreaking stories—residents left in soiled beds, malnutrition, neglect. It called for a complete overhaul of the system, recommending a shift to a rights-based approach to give residents more say in their care, stricter quality monitoring to prevent neglect and abuse, and better staffing requirements to improve care standards.

Heard of the aged care home in Melbourne that struggled with compliance issues due to understaffing? Caregivers were stretched thin, leading to delayed medication rounds and neglected residents. Under the new Aged care Act, such facilities must meet higher staffing standards and transparent reporting requirements, ensuring residents are no longer left behind.

The Key Rights Outlined in the New Aged Care Act

The new Aged Care Act guarantees rights that include:

1. Dignity and Respect in Care: The new Act requires person-centred care, where services respect each resident’s preferences, culture, and choices.

2. Access to High-Quality Services: Facilities must now demonstrate quality care outcomes, ensuring residents receive safe and effective support tailored to their needs.

3. Transparency in Fees and Contracts: No more hidden fees. Aged care homes must clearly outline costs, preventing unexpected charges.

4. The Right to Voice Concerns Without Fear: Residents and families can now raise complaints without retaliation, with stronger mechanisms in place for action.

How Will the New Aged Care Act Impact Aged Care Service Providers?

Changes in the new Aged Care Act have a decisive impact on providers:  

• Increased Compliance – Facilities must now meet higher reporting standards, requiring detailed documentation of care practices.
  
• New Staffing Requirements – Homes must maintain minimum nurse-to-resident ratios, ensuring adequate care.
  
• Stronger Oversight – Regular audits and spot checks will hold providers accountable for resident well being.

But the silver lining here is that these changes also provide opportunities for improvement. The new Aged Care Act raises the bar for care standards, ensuring older Australians receive the respect and dignity they deserve. Facilities that adapt quickly can set themselves apart with customized services, better staff training, and tech-driven solutions. Centrim Life is already helping facilities across Australia adapt to these changes, making compliance easier, faster, and more efficient.

Protecting Whistleblowers: A Major Shift in Aged Care Regulations

Speaking up about wrongdoing in aged care has always been a challenge. That’s changing with new whistleblower protection laws, which are designed to encourage transparency while shielding whistleblowers from any form of retaliation.

This updated legislation includes strict safeguards, ensuring that individuals who report safety breaches, neglect, or unethical practices are protected. Aged care providers must now have clear reporting channels and policies in place, making it easier for staff and residents to raise concerns without fear. Digital tools like Centrim Life’s secure documentation system can help facilities efficiently track complaints, responses, and resolutions. 

The Main Differences Between the Old and New Aged Care Acts

The new Aged Care Act moves away from a checklist-style approach and focuses more on quality of life and resident well-being. So, what’s different?

• Greater Focus on Residents – The new Act prioritises dignity, choice, and personalised care over just meeting basic needs.
  
• Stronger Consequences for Non-Compliance – Facilities that fail to meet standards face tougher penalties, ensuring accountability.
  
• Enhanced Monitoring & Reporting – Real-time reporting and data transparency are now essential, preventing issues before they escalate.
  

For aged care providers, this means a shift from reactive management (fixing problems after they happen) to a proactive approach (preventing issues in the first place) to create a better experience for residents and staff alike.

The Aged Care Act has reshaped care expectations, putting a stronger focus on quality, safety, and accountability. Providers who adapt early will find it easier to meet compliance requirements while enhancing resident care.

Digital solutions simplify compliance reporting, improves communication, and reduces administrative burdens. Centrim Life helps aged care facilities stay on top of these demands by offering an all-in-one solution for compliance tracking, resident management, and operational efficiency.

Sign up now for a free demo to see Centrim Life in action.