What this means for people receiving aged care
Every older person has the right to receive aged care that is safe, fair and respectful. Care that reflects what matters most to them.
Aged care providers and aged care workers are now required by law to respect the rights of older people when they plan and provide care.
If something isn’t right, or your care is unsafe, we will step in and act.
Your rights and who you are
You have your own story, strengths, values and experiences. Aged care providers and workers must respect you as a unique individual when they care for and support you.
The Aged Care Act 2024 includes the Statement of Rights. Those who deliver your care and services must follow the law to support your dignity, independence and your voice.
How we regulate
We regulate government-funded aged care in Australia. We are independent.
We put your rights at the heart of how we regulate. We require registered providers and aged care workers to deliver care and services in a way that respects your identity, choices and preferences.
We check evidence and information about how your aged care is working. For example, we:
- listen to what you tell us about your care
- check if providers and workers are meeting their obligations.
We use this information to identify risks and act, if care isn’t meeting the quality and safety we expect.
We support your rights in 4 main ways
- Registration – We only register providers who can deliver safe and quality care.
- Safeguarding (protection) – We act if there are risks to your care, safety, wellbeing or rights.
- Education and engagement – We share clear information to help providers understand how to improve their services.
- Complaints – We make sure providers listen to your concerns and resolve them fairly. And that they help to improve your care.
What this means for you
You can feel confident knowing your care must support your rights and what matters to you.
What you can expect from those providing your care
- Treat you with dignity and respect. You’re always seen as a person, not just someone receiving care.
- Provide care that respects your needs and what matters most to you. They plan and deliver care around your needs and choices.
- Respect and support your decisions. They will support you through supported decision-making if you want it, including making decisions where risks are involved.
- Listen and respond to you. You can speak up without fear. They must listen and act on your feedback, experiences and complaints.
- Respect your identity, language, culture and background. Your care should be culturally safe and reflect who you are.
- Be trained and supported to deliver safe, quality care. Providers must make sure their workers have the right skills and experience. They must deliver safe, quality care that respects your rights.
Remember
You have rights in aged care. Providers and workers must respect your rights when they plan and deliver your care and support.
Our role is to make sure providers and workers respect your rights in how they deliver your care, every day. We want you to feel and be safe, valued and listened to.
Our Being a rights-based regulator policy outlines how the rights of older people receiving aged care services are upheld in all the ways we regulate.
