The new Aged Care Act includes a Statement of Rights, outlining the rights that older people have when accessing aged care services.
The rights outlined in the Act help to ensure that older people and their needs are at the centre of the new aged care system.
- Watch this video which explains your rights in aged care.
- Watch this video with our Commissioner explaining how the new Act is changing aged care for the better.
- Read the fact sheet on the Statement of Rights
- Read more about the new rights-based Aged Care Act
Read the open letter to older people, their families and supporters from the Commissioner and Complaints Commissioner which explains how the new laws uphold your rights in aged care, and the support available to you to raise a concern, provide feedback or make a complaint.
Independence, autonomy, empowerment and freedom of choice
You will have the right to make your own decisions and have control over:
- which funded aged care services you use
- how you access funded aged care services and who provides them
- your money and belongings
- how you live, even if there is some personal risk.
You will have the right to get support to make these decisions if you need to.
Equitable access
You will have the right to a fair and accurate assessment to find out what funded aged care services you need.
This assessment should be done in a way that suits you. It should respect your:
- culture and background
- personal experience and the impact of any trauma you may have experienced
- cognitive conditions, such as dementia.
You will also have the right to get the kind of care you need, when you need it.
Quality and safe funded aged care services
You will have the right to safe, quality and fair funded aged care services that treat you with dignity and respect.
This includes the right to access funded aged care services that:
- value and support your identity, culture and background
- respect your experience, including any trauma
- are accessible and meet your needs
- are free from violence, abuse and neglect.
You will have the right to access funded aged care services from:
- workers with the right training, skills and experience
- providers that meet all the conditions under the aged care laws.
Respect for privacy and information
Your provider must:
- respect your personal privacy
- protect your personal information, such as information about your health and finances.
You will have the right to get records and information about your rights and the funded aged care services you use. This includes how much they cost.
Person-centred communication and ability to raise issues without reprisal
You will have the right to:
- get information in a way you understand
- give feedback.
You will have the right to communicate in the language or method you prefer. This includes using interpreters or communication aids if you need them.
You will also have the right to meet with your provider and your supporters in a way that suits you.
When there are issues with your funded aged care services, you will have the right to:
- get support from your provider
- complain without fear or being punished
- get a quick and fair response to your complaints.
Advocates, significant persons and social connections
You may need support to understand your rights, make decisions or make a complaint. You will have the right to get this support from an independent advocate or someone else you choose.
Providers should respect the role of the people who are important to you.
You will have the right to stay connected with:
- the people who are important to you
- your community, including by taking part in leisure or cultural activities
- your pets.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples will have a right to stay connected with their community, Country and Island Home.
Providers have to ensure that their actions are consistent with the Statement of Rights.
To view the full-length description of the Statement of Rights as presented in the Bill visit Part 3 – Aged care rights and principles.
Watch our Statement of Rights video for older people.
Resources
A new Aged Care Act for the rights of older people – This plain language fact sheet provides a summary of what rights older people have when accessing aged care services.
A new Aged Care Act for the rights of older people – Easy Read fact sheet – This Easy Read fact sheet provides a summary of what rights older people have when accessing aged care services.
