Read the latest news on how we are transforming aged care across Australia.
Featured story
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Volunteers in aged care are highly valued
Results from our Volunteers in Aged Care survey suggests there are opportunities to better meet the needs of aged care volunteers and volunteer managers.
15 September 2023
News and stories
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Did you know age continues to be the biggest risk factor for severe COVID-19 disease? Find out the latest advice from the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation.
22 September 2023
Over 4,000 people attended our fourth webinar on the reforms to in-home aged care on 18 May 2023. Read what we heard and find out our next steps.
22 September 2023
This week (18 – 24 September 2023) is Dementia Action Week, a national awareness-raising campaign to challenge common misconceptions about dementia. Find out how you can get involved.
20 September 2023
If you are a family member, volunteer or carer for an older person, you may be interested in free online modules that provide practical and relevant information about aged care.
20 September 2023
All aged care homes must have a registered nurse available to care for residents 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. You can now see how each aged care home in Australia is meeting their 24/7 registered nursing responsibility by visiting our website.
20 September 2023
Results from our Volunteers in Aged Care survey suggests there are opportunities to better meet the needs of aged care volunteers and volunteer managers.
15 September 2023
Scholarships for nurses, personal care workers and allied health professionals working in aged care.
15 September 2023
We’re improving the quality of life for people in aged care homes through food and nutrition initiatives.
17 August 2023
The latest update to Star Ratings shows quality in aged care homes is improving.
17 August 2023
The Council on the Ageing (COTA) and the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) are hosting in-person consultation forums across Australia. The forums will give you the opportunity to give feedback in a safe and inclusive setting.
17 August 2023
Dr Kay Patterson AO has always had a strong interest in issues affecting older people. Kay recently spoke at the National Press Club of Australia about what needs to be done to protect the rights and wellbeing of all older Australians, and some of the challenges that still lie ahead. “We can build a better cultural inheritance for an ageing Australian and, in fact, we must.”
17 August 2023
StepUp for Dementia Research connects people to researchers studying dementia prevention, diagnosis, treatment and care.
25 July 2023
Aged care homes must now have at least one registered nurse available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week so residents have access to the care they need, when they need it.
25 July 2023
More support soon available for carers and people living with dementia through dementia-specific respite services.
25 July 2023
An inspiring intergenerational art exhibition is breaking down age barriers and creating images that capture the spirit of a generation.
25 July 2023
A Consumer Advisory Body gives you another avenue to have a say in the quality of the care and services you receive, by providing feedback to those running your aged care service. Hear from Maggie, Jo and Jan as they talk about their experience on their advisory body.
25 July 2023
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has released a new fact sheet to help you understand your right to make choices about food and drink.
25 July 2023
The latest results to the second Aged Care Sector Pulse Survey are in. The survey provides valuable insights into the sector’s adoption, preparedness and awareness of aged care reforms, their confidence in the reforms and their communication needs.
14 July 2023
For more than 40 years, Danijela Hlis has supported people from culturally and linguistically diverse backgrounds through her work as an interpreter and translator. As a Member of the Council of Elders, she continues to support CALD communities and is passionate about making sure people’s needs are understood and met as changes are made to the aged care system.
9 June 2023
The Australian Government has released the aged care reform roadmap to provide an indicative timeline for key reform elements. Our aim is to help the sector understand what’s coming, be involved in reforms and prepare for the changes ahead to improve aged care.
9 June 2023
More than 1,100 people attended a webinar hosted by the department on 9 May 2023, to learn more about the details of the proposed new model for regulating aged care and receive an update on the new Aged Care Act.
1 June 2023
In late 2022 we consulted widely on the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards. Read about the insights and feedback we heard through this consultation.
1 June 2023
We sat down with Emeritus Professor Valerie Braithwaite, Professor of regulatory studies at the Australian National University and member of our Expert Advisory Panel, to find out why strong relationships are the key to regulating aged care.
25 May 2023
The National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program gives aged care providers and government insight into how aged care homes are performing, and where improvement is required. On 1 April 2023 the QI Program expanded its focus to capture 6 new crucial areas of care.
18 May 2023
My Health Record is a safe and secure place to save your health information online. It allows you and your healthcare providers to quickly and easily access information about your health including past test results, medications and treatments.
18 May 2023
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission has released fact sheets to help you to know how to make changes to your food and dining experience and resolve any issues.
18 May 2023
Professor John McCallum is passionate about making a difference to aged care. He has notched up more than 50 years working in ageing research, policy and advocacy. John is eager to improve the lives of older people, and says he sees his role in the Council of Elders as being someone to “help interpret the research” that underpins the reforms.
12 May 2023
The department recently hosted a webinar to share information about the new quality indicators introduced in residential aged care on 1 April 2023.
9 May 2023
In November 2022 we released a National Dementia Action Plan consultation paper to gather public feedback, which received over 1,000 responses. Read what we heard and our next steps.
26 April 2023
We are seeking feedback on the details of the proposed regulatory model for aged care, and how it will be implemented.
April 2023
We’ve been consulting with stakeholders across aged care to develop a regulatory model that will support the sector to deliver high quality care to older people in Australia and introduces a better way of monitoring providers.
April 2023
Ms Anne Burgess AM has been appointed as the new Chair of the Aged Care Council of Elders for a period of 2 years. Anne has more than 40 years’ experience leading initiatives and organisations focused on social justice and understands the needs of older people.
26 April 2023
If you are a family member or carer for an older person, you may be interested in new free online modules that provides practical and relevant information about aged care.
19 April 2023
The department hosted a webinar about Residents’ Experience Surveys to help prepare residential aged care providers for the annual 2023 Residents’ Experience Surveys. A recording of the webinar and Q&As are now available.
19 April 2023
Did you know that aged care providers must offer to set up a Consumer Advisory Body, for older people using their service? A Consumer Advisory Body gives you another avenue to have a say in the quality of the care and services you receive, by providing feedback to those running your aged care service. Your feedback on the quality of care and services that you receive is important.
19 April 2023
A new booklet on reforming aged care in Australia is now available from the Department of Health and Aged Care website. The booklet is for older people and their carers and families who want to learn more about Australia’s aged care reforms and how they affect them. Read more to view or order a copy.
19 April 2023
The Department of Health and Aged Care is seeking feedback from aged care volunteers, volunteer managers, and providers to shape the future of aged care volunteering.
3 April 2023
1 March 2023 marked 2 years since the final report from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety was tabled in Parliament, a critical milestone in the journey to restoring dignity to older people in Australia.
21 March 2023
Services Australia now provides Aged Care Specialist Officers in 80 service centres nationwide, ensuring older people have the support they need when making important decisions about aged care.
14 March 2023
The Serious Incident Response Scheme is designed to protect your rights to be safe and receive quality care. You can also contact the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission directly with concerns regarding aged care incidents.
14 March 2023
Sue McCann is passionate about making sure older people have choice and control over their aged care. With more than 40 years’ experience working in the aged care sector, Sue has valuable experience and insights to share as a member of the Council of Elders.
14 March 2023
Do you provide unpaid care and support to a family member or friend? Carers Australia wants to hear about your experiences to improve services and support to carers across Australia.
14 March 2023
The Aged Care Council of Elders are ready for a big year as the voice for older people in the aged care reforms. Find out what they’ve been up to and plans for the year ahead.
27 February 2023
The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission is involved in improvements to the Aged Care Quality Standards. Revision of the Quality Standards was a key recommendation of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
15 February 2023
A new factsheet on food and dining is now available for people living in residential aged care, their family members and advocates.
15 February 2023
Mr Ian Yates AM commenced as the Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care on 30 January 2023. Find out more about this role and what happens next.
15 February 2023
Over 500 people attended a webinar on 13 October 2022, hosted by Dementia Australia to hear more about immediate and future dementia policy in Australia.
7 February 2023
Belinda works as an aged care quality manager. She shares why she applied for a scholarship to study nursing as a mature aged student, and how much she enjoys caring for older people.
6 February 2023
Professor Tom Calma AO has been named the 2023 Senior Australian of the Year. Read more about his achievements as an advocate for First Australians and older people.
6 February 2023
In October 2022 we opened a survey on Short-Term Restorative Care, which 204 people took part in. Their responses will inform policy development for restorative care as part of the new in-home aged care program. Here’s what we heard.
1 February 2023
The 2023 Residents’ Experience Surveys will begin in February, providing an opportunity for people living in a residential aged care homes to share their thoughts on the quality of care they receive.
30 January 2023
Over 770 in-home aged care providers attended a webinar to learn about the pricing changes to Home Care Packages and ask their questions. Read what we heard.
24 January 2023
In August 2022, more than 1,500 people participated in an online survey on Home Care Package administration and management charges. Read how their feedback helped inform new price caps.
24 January 2023
Over 520 submissions were received on the new program for in-home aged care discussion paper and just over 2,000 people attended a webinar. Read what we heard and our next steps.
19 January 2023
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has released a free self-advocacy toolkit with information and resources to support you in speaking up for better aged care.
9 January 2023
During October and November this year, we consulted with a wide range of people from across the aged care sector on the review of the Aged Care Quality Standards. We received your feedback and will be sharing a consultation summary report in early 2023.
21 December 2022
Star Ratings are now available to help you compare and choose an aged care home that’s right for you.
20 December 2022
The department surveyed people in the aged care sector, to measure the level of awareness of the aged care reforms. Read more about the outcomes of this survey, and how we will use the findings to improve the way we communicate about the reforms.
20 December 2022
Find out what the new Code of Conduct for Aged Care and the extension of the Serious Incident Response Scheme to in-home services may mean for you.
16 December 2022
248 in-home aged care providers shared their thoughts on what they would like to see in a proposed payment platform for the future in-home aged care program. Read what we heard.
16 December 2022
We’re celebrating a year since the Council of Elders was established to consult with older people and advise the Government on the aged care reforms and ageing well. Read about what the Council of Elders have achieved during their first year and what they have planned for 2023.
16 December 2022
Boost your confidence using online tools and apps, and learn how to stay safe online, with free online courses for older Australians through the Be Connected initiative.
14 December 2022
The Australian Government is committed to delivering a reformed in-home aged care program by 1 July 2024. If you currently receive support from Commonwealth-funded in-home aged care programs, learn what the new program will mean for you.
13 December 2022
Consultations are now open for the National Dementia Action Plan. Have your say and help build a dementia-inclusive society.
1 December 2022
This International Volunteers Day we’re recognising and celebrating our dedicated volunteers in aged care.
30 November 2022
We received detailed submissions on draft legislation for a new Code of Conduct for Aged Care. Here is what we heard through this process.
24 November 2022
In August and September 2022, the Department of Health and Aged Care undertook workshops with a small number of people with lived experience of dementia, and people caring for people with dementia to inform the National Dementia Action Plan public consultation paper.
16 November 2022
More than 140 stakeholders responded to the consultation paper and over 80 participated in a forum to help inform implementation of the Aged Care On-site Pharmacist measure.
16 November 2022
We’re working to improve aged care for Australians. Here are some of the highlights from the last few months.
8 November 2022
Val Fell is a fierce advocate for the rights of older Australians, and she can now add the Medal of the Order of Australia to her impressive list of accomplishments.
8 November 2022
More than 135 people participated in consultations and co-design workshops to improve access to assistive technology and home modifications. Read a summary of these consultations.
June to August 2022
Read the feedback provided by stakeholders from across the care and support sector that informed the development of the Code of Conduct for Aged Care.
4 October 2022
Almost 4,000 people attended a webinar to hear about the reforms to in-home aged care, the proposed regulatory model, and the new Aged Care Act. Read about our next steps.
30 September 2022
The Aged Care Quality Standards are being urgently reviewed in line with the recommendations of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. In May 2021 an independent evaluation of the Aged Care Quality Standards was undertaken.
27 September 2022
My Aged Care in-person service rollout update
14 September 2022
Volunteers connect with older Australians to develop life changing relationships.
9 September 2022
More than 1,700 people completed the In-Home Aged Care Service List Survey. This asked what kinds of services should be included in the new in-home aged care program starting 1 July 2024. Read the summarised findings of the survey results report.
5 September 2022
Read about outcomes from the Department of Health and Aged Care’s Sector Support and Development (SSD) consultation on the activities for 2022-23
14 July 2022
Read about how older Australians, aged care providers and peak organisations are shaping new quality indicators for the National Aged Care Mandatory Quality Indicator Program (QI Program).
27 June 2022
