Episode 15: Understanding the New Aged Care Act

1 November 2025 marked the most significant shift in aged care in more than three decades. With the introduction of the new Aged Care Act, Strengthened Standards, and the Support at Home program, older Australians now have clearer rights, stronger protections, and a system designed around dignity, safety and independence.In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, Helping Hand’s Company Secretary Luci Badge joins host Kate Holland to unpack what these reforms mean for residents, clients, families, and providers.We explore:The key reforms introduced on 1 November 2025How the new Aged Care Act embeds a rights-based frameworkWhat the new Statement of Rights includes, and how it differs from the old CharterWhat the strengthened standards require from providersHow whistleblower protections have changed – and who can now make a disclosureThe new registered supporter system and the three supporter typesWhat these changes mean for older people receiving careWhere to go for reliable information during this transitionHelping Hand has long championed person centred care, and these reforms further reinforce the importance of choice, respect, and transparency for older Australians.Useful Resources:My Aged Care websiteAged Care Quality and Safety CommissionHelping Hand websiteHelping Hand phone number: 1300 653 600Episode hosted by Kate HollandEpisode recorded and edited by Drew Radford