Residential care - news and stories

  • The report by the Aged Care Taskforce has now been published and includes 23 recommendations.

    15 March 2024

  • The My Aged Care website ‘Find a Provider’ tool now shows information about how much aged care providers are spending on care, food, wages and more.

    7 March 2024

  • 10 Questions to Ask is a series of leaflets written by nurses, doctors and experts with experience in aged care. Use these leaflets to make sure you ask the right questions about residential aged care.

    21 February 2024

  • Do you live in a residential aged care home? What do you think about the care you’re getting? You can tell us what you think in our Residents’ Experience Survey.

    21 February 2024

  • Public consultation on the draft new Aged Care Act has been extended to 8 March 2024. Have your say and help shape Australia’s aged care system.

    14 February 2024

  • We have released a draft of the new Aged Care Act for feedback. You can get involved in our consultation by attending an in-person workshop, completing a survey online or over the phone, or sending us an email or letter.

    18 January 2024

  • Emergency leave for COVID-19 has been extended to 31 December 2024. This means that aged care residents can stay with family during a COVID-19 outbreak without paying extra fees.

    18 January 2024

  • If you need support to make decisions about aged care, Aged Care Specialist Officers can help you. You can now make an appointment in person or via video chat.

    14 December 2023

  • Christmas, summer and the festive season is a time many of us spend with our family and friends. Make sure you know the basics and protect yourself and loved ones from COVID-19.

    14 December 2023

  • If you have concerns or questions about the food and dining experience in aged care homes, you can now call a dedicated hotline.

    16 November 2023

  • On 1 October 2023, ‘care minutes’ became mandatory in aged care homes across Australia. Older people will now receive the dedicated care time they need for everything from essential medical treatment to help with daily activities.

    16 October 2023

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • 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

  • My Aged Care in-person service rollout update

    14 September 2022

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The Department of Health and Aged Care acknowledges the traditional owners of country throughout Australia, and their continuing connection to land, sea and community. We pay our respects to them and their cultures, and to elders both past and present.