the Aged Care Today magazine featured articles

By placing the rights of older people at the centre, this reform will not only shape the future of aged care services, it will influence how Australians experience ageing, care and support throughout their lives.

It’s a milestone moment, and one that reflects years of advocacy, collaboration and determination.

These significant milestones continue to approach at pace. Just as we prepared to go to print, the government announced the immediate release of 20,000 home care packages. It was a welcome announcement after sustained calls to address the number of Australians waiting for care in their own homes.

As the government and providers prepare for implementation of the Act, it’s equally important to pause and recognise what’s already working – the commitment, care and excellence we see every day across the sector.

This year, Ageing Australia received more than 500 nominations for our You Are ACE! Awards – the highest number yet. These nominations reflect the extraordinary work happening across residential care, home and community care, seniors housing and retirement living. Fifteen outstanding individuals, teams and organisations were selected as this year’s winners, and you can read their stories on page 26.

Every August, we pause to recognise the dedicated people at the heart of aged care. Aged Care Employee Day, which Ageing Australia is proud to lead, has become a highlight of the year for the sector. Now in its seventh year, it is a moment for all of us to reflect on the compassion, professionalism and commitment of our workforce.

	L-R: Member for Prahran Rachel Westaway, Bolton Clarkey Victorian Director of Operations Sharon Kehoe, Bolton Clarke Clinical Team Manager Nevola Templeton, Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson, and Ageing Australia State Manager Victoria and Tasmania Danni Campbell-Manley.
	L-R: Member for Prahran Rachel Westaway, Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson and mecwacare Regional General Manager Chipo Nyemba at the mecwacare Malvern Centre.
	Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson and State Manager Victoria and Tasmania Danni Campbell-Manley with mecwacare CEO Anne McCormack (centre).

In 2025, we were encouraged to see strong support from ministers at both state and federal levels, many of whom recorded video messages to honour aged care workers. Their recognition matters. But more importantly, this day reminds us that behind every policy debate and reform process are people who show up every day to care for older Australians with respect, care, passion and an unwavering commitment to continuous improvement.

With the support of our State Manager for Victoria and Tasmania, Danni Campbell-Manley, I had the privilege of visiting six aged care providers across Melbourne’s south-east to celebrate this year’s event. I was joined by Member for Prahran Rachel Westaway and Member for Caulfield David Southwick, both eager to acknowledge the valuable work of aged care employees in their communities. I had the pleasure of cutting six cakes (including one that was specially made by a local Kosher bakery for Jewish Care), giving six speeches and – most importantly – having six meaningful opportunities to spend time with workers and residents.

Throughout the day, I heard a consistent message: that this recognition matters. For many aged care employees, it’s rare to feel seen or celebrated for the essential work they do. Too often, the sector is defined publicly by its challenges rather than its contributions.

We know that the reputation of aged care has been shaped by misunderstanding, and at times, by the negative actions of a few. Turning that around – and ensuring the broader community understands the professionalism, compassion and value of aged care – is core to our mission at Ageing Australia.

From what I see every day – in our members’ commitment, leadership and care – the future is in capable hands. But we also know that reform is rarely smooth. Implementing this new legislation will take time, and there will be challenges we can’t yet predict, alongside all of the others we already know about.

Even with the additional four months, we know the process won’t be perfect – and not for lack of trying. Even though we have the ‘final draft Rules’, the government is still working through the final details and logistics. That means providers are still working through what this means for them – and for the people they support. There’s progress on digital readiness and clarity, but understandably, there’s still too much uncertainty across the sector.

Home care continues to be one of the most complex and unresolved parts of the reform agenda. The release of 20,000 packages was very welcome, following months of advocacy by Ageing Australia and consumers, and the consistent support of senators from all sides of politics. We will see a further 20,000 packages released this financial year, along with 43,000 in the first half of next year. However, the waitlist will take some time to clear, and many older people are waiting 12 months or more for the care they’ve been assessed for.

Providers are also facing growing uncertainty about the financial viability of delivering that care. The reduction in care management fees makes it hard to see how those with even moderately complex needs will be able to get the support they need. We continue to urge the government to revisit these changes – to ensure that the promise we have made as a society to provide care to whoever needs it can actually come true.

When we talk about supporting older people to live well for longer, housing must be part of the conversation. Too many older Australians remain in housing that no longer suits their needs – not by choice, but because of outdated policy settings and limited alternatives or supports.

Whether it’s retirement living, other types of seniors housing or affordable rental, we have a real opportunity to expand the options available, so older people aren’t forced into higher levels of care simply because the right supports or living environments weren’t accessible when they needed them.

While the reforms are both necessary and welcome, there’s still more work to do. We need to keep reimagining what ageing in place can truly look like, and exploring new models that give older people greater choice, control and continuity of care.

While the grandfathering of existing aged care clients is a positive step, the long-term impact of a user-pays approach remains unclear. We were leading proponents of a system that asked people with greater means to pay more to ensure the system didn’t collapse. But we need to know that this is what the reforms actually mean – we need to monitor what impact charges have – particularly for those people with complex needs or low means.

At this stage, the implementation of the Act won’t be a simple matter of success or failure, but of how well we navigate the transition. These reforms go to the heart of how aged care is delivered and regulated, and we should expect challenges as the sector adapts.

Most importantly, we need to ensure that older people continue to access the care they need, in the ways that best support them to live well. The coming months will show us what’s working and where we need to adjust. Our responsibility is to stay focused, responsive and committed to getting it right.