News and updates

New Aged Care Bill passes Parliament

Parliament passed the Aged Care Bill on 21 November which means the new Aged Care Act can start from 1 July 2025. It paves the way for a better, more capable system that puts the rights and needs of older people first.

Younger man setting up services for elderly man

Important changes to your Home Care Package

The Australian Government is supporting an increase to aged care worker wages from 1 January 2025. If you receive a Home Care Package, this will mean an increase to your package subsidy.

Have your say on how Star Ratings are calculated

The way we calculate Star Ratings is changing and we want to know what you think. The Department will change the way some of the ratings are calculated, following the introduction of the new Aged Care Act anticipated on 1 July 2025.

Business items such as iPad, calculator and notepad

National Redress Scheme payments to be exempt from means testing

From 1 January 2025, payments made under the National Redress Scheme for Institutional Child Sexual Abuse Act 2018 (National Redress Scheme) will be excluded as an asset from the aged care means assessment for aged care homes.

Older person receiving advice from carer

Preparing for the new Aged Care Act

The new Aged Care Act will lead to major changes across the aged care system. Learn about what has happened since the Aged Care Bill 2024 was introduced to Parliament in September and what is coming up next.

Protect yourself against scams

There have been recent reports of scammers impersonating aged care providers. These scammers are targeting older people, their families and carers.

Image Description: An overhead shot of an electronic tablet device and a mug, filled with what appears to be coffee or hot chocolate.

Spotlight: Am I eligible?

My Aged Care’s Eligibility checker can help you quickly find out if you meet the requirements to have an aged care assessment. You will be asked a few short questions to help My Aged Care better understand your situation. This will only take a few minutes to complete.

Important update: More regular reviews of aged care fees

The Quarterly Review process for home care and residential care is changing. From October 2023, aged care reviews will occur more regularly so that changes to your aged care fees can be applied sooner.

How respite care can help carers

Respite care can give carers time to catch up on everyday activities and look after themselves. It is available to support older people and their carers.

My Aged Care no longer supports fax

The My Aged Care fax number (1800 728 174) is no longer available as of 31 July 2023. You can still contact My Aged Care by phone, in person, or by post.

Program in focus: Aged Care Volunteer Visitors Scheme

If you are feeling lonely, isolated or need help building new social connections, you can access support through the Aged Care Volunteer Visitor’s Scheme (ACVVS). The ACVVS is a free program that can help you connect to a volunteer support network in your community.

The new Support at Home program planned to start 1 July 2025

The Australian Government is committed to delivering reforms to in-home aged care that support older people to live safely and independently at home.

Important changes to your Home Care Package budget

If you receive a Home Care Package, you will notice some changes to your package budget from 1 July 2023. This article explains what the changes are how they may impact you.

Updates to provider specialisations

From 27 February 2023, claims from aged care providers to deliver specialised care will be published on provider profiles only if they have been verified against the My Aged Care Provider Specialisation Verification Framework.

What is the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission?

The Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission protects the rights and interests of people who use Commonwealth-funded aged care services by ensuring that aged care service providers give the best care possible

Home and aged care support keeps Carolyn active

Carolyn, 80, was actively involved in her local community, until advanced arthritis made it harder to do the things she used to. Accessing help at home services through My Aged Care helped improve her health, independence and wellbeing.

How we’re improving Home Care Package charges

Important changes are coming to Home Care Package charges on 1 January 2023. The changes will bring more transparency to how providers charge and set limits on care and package management prices.

Spotlight: My Aged Care’s Fee estimator

Our online Fee estimator tool can help you find out what you might pay for Australian Government-funded aged care services. The Fee estimator is a simple online calculator that estimates how much your aged care services might cost.

Aged care funding is changing but your care will not be affected

On the 1 October 2022, a new residential aged care funding model was introduced. The new model is called the Australian National Aged Care Classification, or AN-ACC for short.

myGov has changed but My Aged Care Online Account remains the same

myGov is the way people access Australian Government services online. This includes linking to and using the My Aged Care Online Account. myGov was recently upgraded with a fresh look.

10 questions to ask about staffing in aged care homes

If you want to review the quality of an aged care home, it’s a good idea to call or visit and ask some questions about the care it offers. One area you may like to focus on is its staffing arrangements.

Help reduce administration and management charges in your Home Care Package

If you or a loved one has a Home Care Package, the Department of Health and Aged Care needs your feedback on the services and charges included in your package. This is so the department can find ways to reduce the amount of money used for administration and management costs.

Help at home enabled Helen to continue an active life

House cleaning services gave Helen peace of mind, knowing she can stay at home and be independent. Her health concerns made her worry she would lose her independence but receiving help at home made a real difference.

Service providers to be verified for specialised services

We are implementing a new verification process for service providers that provide specialised care for specific communities. This process will help ensure Australians with diverse aged care needs can find safe and inclusive care that best suits them.

Peter was reluctant to ask for help, but it changed his life

Professional and friendly assistance is transforming his home and keeping his roses blooming.

My Aged Care launches extra face-to-face support across 29 locations

There are now 29 additional Aged Care Specialist Officers (ACSO) providing face-to-face aged care support at select Services Australia locations.

Jeff was encouraged to get help after talking to his neighbours

Jeff had a passion for gardening. But one day, an injury made him realise some changes were needed. With some support from My Aged Care, he receives gardening support, and now his garden looks better than ever.