Insight

What the Aged Care Act 2024 means for providers

Darrell Price
By:
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QUICK SUMMARY
  • The Support at Home Program was introduced on 1 November 2025 to strengthen consumer protections, encourage investment in residential care, and improve home care services. 
  • There has been a slow uptake of home care packages, limited hospital-to-residential transfers, and increased regulatory requirements, which are creating cost pressures for providers.
  • As a result, providers face uncertainty around capital investment and overall profitability.

The Aged Care Act 2024 has been in place for a month. Touted as a ‘once in a generation change’ to improve protections for consumers, it also seeks to stimulate investment in residential care services and improve care in the home with the new Support at Home Program1.

It has been just over eleven years since the Gillard Government introduced the Living Longer Living Better (LLLB) reforms, unlocking significant ‘new money’ from private equity investment, driving consolidation of providers such as Japara Healthcare, Estia Health and Regis Health. With Regis Health now the only publicly listed provider remaining after Bain Capital acquired Estia Health, and Calvary Health Care delisted Japarra Healthcare’s shares from the public market as part of its acquisition, this highlights how investment and financial pressures will continue to shape provider decisions under the new Act.  

The LLLB reforms also introduced a refurbishment program that offers higher accommodation supplements to providers who improved residential care facilities. It promised ‘universal care for all who needed it’ and was successful, until funding pressures began limiting investment for 2017.

Early observations and challenges for providers

Since the Act’s launch on 1 November 2025, several early trends are emerging that illustrate both opportunities and pressure points for providers: 

Hundreds of thousands of dedicated workers continue delivering essential care to vulnerable older Australians.  

Few, if any, older Australians currently in hospitals in need of a residential care placement have been transferred to residential care.

Only a small portion of the 80,000 new Support at Home packages have been allocated so far, despite around 125,000 people awaiting support.

Enhanced consumer protections have raised regulatory requirements for providers, particularly Support at Home providers. While co-contribution may offset some costs, administrative expenses can outweigh revenue if not managed carefully.

Retentions for RADs have been reintroduced, and approved RAD amounts have increased. Retention amount are 2 per cent per year, capped at five years, and with the average stay under two years, providers may capture around four per year of individual RAD balances. Despite this, many providers remain cautious about progressing new capital projects.

While the LLLB reforms previously unlocked capital for mergers, acquisitions, and refurbishments, the new Act has introduced uncertainty around a provider’s ability to generate capital – prompting some to delay investments required to meet future bed demand. 

Opportunities for collaboration and guidance 

The transition to the new Act presents an opportunity for the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission, to work collaboratively with providers. Clear communication of expectations and practical guidance can help providers navigate the early implementation period. Recognising the short implementation timeframes and providing supportive frameworks will be key to helping providers adapt effectively.

Looking ahead and supporting sector resilience 

Delivering safe, high-quality services to older Australians requires strong, sustainable and morally responsible aged care providers and staff. While the Act aims to reinforce this, profitability, access to capital, and investment confidence will ultimately determine whether providers can meet residential demand. 

There’s growing concern that price caps and increased regulatory obligations under the Support at Home reforms will weaken providers, who may be reluctant to pursue growth opportunities. Some providers are already reconsidering their role in the sector.

What remains clear is the dedication of aged care leaders and workers, who continue to deliver care with professionalism and compassion. Time will tell whether the new Act achieves community expectations, and what further refinements may be needed to ensure a sustainable aged care system. 

If you’d like to understand what the new Act means for your organisation and how to respond confidently, please reach out.

Support at Home Program

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