1 November 2025 marked the most significant shift in aged care in more than three decades. With the introduction of the new Aged Care Act, Strengthened Standards, and the Support at Home program, older Australians now have clearer rights, stronger protections, and a system designed around dignity, safety and independence.

In this episode of Age Old Problems: New Aged Care, Helping Hand’s Company Secretary Luci Badge joins host Kate Holland to unpack what these reforms mean for residents, clients, families, and providers.

We explore:

• The key reforms introduced on 1 November 2025
• How the new Aged Care Act embeds a rights-based framework
• What the new Statement of Rights includes, and how it differs from the old Charter
• What the strengthened standards require from providers
• How whistleblower protections have changed – and who can now make a disclosure
• The new registered supporter system and the three supporter types
• What these changes mean for older people receiving care
• Where to go for reliable information during this transition

Helping Hand has long championed person centred care, and these reforms further reinforce the importance of choice, respect, and transparency for older Australians.

Useful Resources:

My Aged Care website

Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission

Helping Hand website

Helping Hand phone number: 1300 653 600

Episode hosted by Kate Holland

Episode recorded and edited by Drew Radford