A New Era of Aged Care in Australia: What the 2025 Reforms Mean for Future Care Workers 

A major transformation is on the horizon for Australia’s aged care sector—and it’s not just reshaping how older Australians receive support but also redefining the role and future of aged care workers across the country.

On 1 July 2025, the Aged Care Act 2024 will officially take effect, ushering in a landmark reform that places older individuals—and their rights—at the centre of care. This is a significant departure from the current model, which critics say has long prioritised providers and funding structures over the lived experiences and wellbeing of older people.

The new Act represents more than a legislative update—it’s a values-based overhaul of the aged care system, directly responding to over 60 recommendations from the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. For those pursuing careers in aged care and disability services this reform signals a shift in expectations, responsibilities, and opportunities.

 

The Heart of the Reform

Unlike its predecessors—the Aged Care Act 1997, the Transitional Provisions Act, and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018—the new Aged Care Act introduces a rights-based framework that aims to empower older people with dignity, choice, and access.

Key features include:

• • A single entry point into the system with clearer eligibility and navigation.
  • Stronger oversight and regulation to hold providers accountable.
  • A new assessment framework that is culturally safe, fair, and standardised.
  • A Statement of Rights that clearly outlines what older people are entitled to.
  • Strengthened powers for the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.
  • Integration with the new Support at Home program, also launching in July 2025.

In short, aged care is no longer just about maintaining basic services—it’s about creating a meaningful, person-centred experience.

 

What This Means for Workers

The implications of the new Act for aged care workers are profound.

For starters, every provider will be required to register to deliver Commonwealth-funded aged care services and meet a new set of compliance conditions. This will apply even when services are subcontracted or digitally delivered, increasing the importance of governance, training, and communication across all levels of care.

Care workers, support staff, and “responsible persons” in registered organisations will also be held to higher standards. Under the new Code of Conduct for Aged Care, introduced in 2022 and reinforced under the new Act, workers are expected to act with integrity, respect privacy, and prioritise the safety and wellbeing of those in their care.

While these regulations raise the bar for accountability, they also enhance the professional standing of aged care roles. A career in aged care is no longer seen as a fallback—it is increasingly viewed as a vocation that requires emotional intelligence, cultural competence, and a commitment to ethical practice.

 

The Skills Gap and the Road Ahead

With Australia’s ageing population projected to reach over 8.8 million people aged 65 and above by 2050, the demand for skilled aged care professionals is expected to skyrocket. The Australian Government’s Jobs and Skills Priority List has already identified aged care and disability support as priority occupations, with ongoing skill shortages across metropolitan and regional areas.

This is where institutions like Brighten Institute Australia play a critical role—offering accredited certificate and diploma programs that equip future care workers not just with technical skills, but with the soft skills and ethical understanding the new system demands.

Training now also means preparing for a system that values client autonomy, consent, and lived experience—where workers are not just service providers, but active participants in delivering care with compassion and accountability.

The transition to a new aged care system will not be without its challenges. Providers must reorient their services. Regulatory bodies must adapt. But perhaps most importantly, the workforce must evolve to meet the moment.

For students and aspiring professionals, this is a unique opportunity to be part of a sector undergoing meaningful reform. Whether providing in-home support or working in residential facilities, the next generation of aged care workers will be central to delivering on the promise of the new Act.

The future of aged care in Australia is one where older people live with greater independence, dignity, and purpose. But achieving this vision depends on the readiness of those on the frontlines—those studying, training, and preparing to step into a role that has never been more important.

As July 2025 approaches, one thing is clear: aged care in Australia is not just changing—it’s transforming. And for those willing to lead with heart, now is the time to rise.