New aged care quality standards in Australia: what they mean for you
From 1 November 2025, aged care in Australia is changing for the better. The new Aged Care Act will introduce strengthened Quality Standards to give older people greater safety, dignity, and choice - whether you’re receiving support in your own home or living in a residential aged care community.
At McLean Care, we welcome these reforms as they closely align with our commitment to supporting your wellbeing, independence, and quality of life. The strengthened standards set clearer expectations for all aged care providers, stronger accountability, and a renewed focus on respecting your rights, values, and individual preferences.
What’s Changing?
The new laws place a greater emphasis on:
- Personalised care: Your care will reflect your unique needs, values, and goals, with a focus on what matters most to you.
- Dignity and choice: You will have the right to make informed decisions about your care, even if they involve some level of risk.
- Alignment with the new Statement of Rights: The Act recognises your right to respect, safety, cultural identity, and inclusion in all aspects of care.
- Stronger accountability: Aged care providers must demonstrate that staff are skilled, supported, and continually trained to deliver safe and effective care.
- Your voice in care: Providers will be required to establish and support consumer advisory bodies, giving you and your representatives a stronger say in how services are delivered.
- Transparency in feedback and complaints: Every provider must have a clear, accessible, and supportive complaints system. You can raise concerns without fear of reprisal, and providers must use your feedback to drive continuous improvement.
- Cultural safety and diversity: The standards place stronger obligations on providers to deliver care that respects the culture, identity, and personal circumstances of every individual.
- Clearer monitoring and ratings: Aged care homes will continue to be assessed and rated under the Star Ratings system, with strengthened powers for regulators to step in when standards are not met.
The Strengthened Standards
The updated Quality Standards are built around seven key areas:
- The Individual – recognising you as a whole person with your own story, choices, and goals.
- The Organisation – ensuring providers are accountable, well-managed, and responsive to your feedback.
- Care and Services – delivering flexible, responsive, and person-centred support.
- The Environment – maintaining safe, supportive, and accessible living spaces.
- Clinical Care – providing health care that is professional, evidence-based, and focused on helping you live well.
- Food and Nutrition – offering meals that are nutritious, enjoyable, and tailored to your preferences and health needs.
- The Residential Community – ensuring aged care homes foster a sense of belonging, connection, and inclusion.
Our commitment
At McLean Care, we are proud to support these strengthened standards. We continue to provide:
- Personalised care plans that reflect your wishes and values.
- Skilled and compassionate staff who are supported with ongoing training.
- Inclusive environments that respect your culture, identity, and lifestyle.
- Robust feedback and complaints processes that encourage openness, protect your rights, and ensure lessons are learned.
- Consumer advisory bodies that give residents, clients, and families a strong voice in shaping our services.
- Ongoing reviews and transparency, ensuring we continually improve and remain accountable.
If you have any questions about the new laws or how they may affect you, please contact your McLean Care team on 1300 046 253 (Residential aged care and Independent Living) or 1300 791 660 (Home and Community Services).
Together, we are building a future of aged care that truly reflects what matters most - you.
