Michelle Bromley CFP®, Director – Strategy & Advice
From 1 November 2025, Australia’s aged care system will undergo its biggest transformation in decades. Whether you're planning for your own care or helping a loved one navigate the system, understanding these changes is essential.
Why Is Aged Care Changing?
The aged care system has long been criticised for being complex, inconsistent, and difficult to navigate. Following the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the government committed to building a simpler, fairer, and more person-centered system.
These reforms aim to:
- Put older Australians' rights at the center of care
- Improve transparency and accountability for providers
- Make it easier to access and understand available services
- Ensure care is safe, high-quality and tailored to individual needs
What's Changing?
Here are the key updates under the new Aged Care Rules:
1. A New Rights-Based Framework
Older people receiving care will have a formal Statement of Rights, ensuring dignity, respect, and choice are upheld in every aspect of care.
2. Simplified Services
A new Aged Care Service List will clearly define what services are available and funded—whether at home, in residential care, or during transitions.
3. Stronger Provider Standards
Providers will face stricter rules around governance, worker screening, vaccinations, financial transparency, and quality standards.
4. Transparent Pricing
Providers must publish clear, fair pricing for services. This will help families compare options and avoid unexpected costs.
5. Streamlined Access
A single, national assessment framework will replace the current patchwork of entry points, making it easier to get the right care at the right time. Read the full summary of key changes here.
How Will This Affect You or Your Family?
If you're:
- Considering aged care soon: You’ll benefit from a clearer, more transparent system with stronger protections
- Helping a parent or loved one: You’ll find it easier to understand what care is available, how much it costs, and how to access it
- Already receiving care: Transitional rules will ensure continuity, but it’s worth reviewing your current arrangements with an adviser
Now is a good time to:
- Review your estate plan and enduring powers of attorney
- Understand your aged care funding options (e.g. RADs, DAPs, means-tested fees)
- Consider how these changes may affect your Centrelink entitlements or superannuation strategy
What If You Need Help?
Navigating aged care can still feel overwhelming—but you don’t have to do it alone.
We work closely with trusted Aged Care specialist advisers who can:
- Help you understand the financial implications of aged care decisions
- Model different care scenarios and funding strategies
- Coordinate with aged care providers and legal professionals
- Ensure your retirement and estate plans remain aligned with your goals
We're happy to facilitate a referral and support you throughout the process.
Let's Talk
If you or a loved one may need aged care in the next few years, now is the time to prepare.
Reach out to us to discuss your broader financial planning needs, and we’ll connect you with a specialist aged care adviser who can provide tailored guidance.
The information in this article contains general advice and is provided by Primestock Securities Ltd AFSL 239180. That advice has been prepared without taking your personal objectives, financial situation or needs into account. Before acting on this general advice, you should consider the appropriateness of it having regard to your personal objectives, financial situation and needs. You should obtain and read the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) before making any decision to acquire any financial product referred to in this article. Please refer to the FSG (www.primefinancial.com.au/fsg)for contact information and information about remuneration and associations with product issuers. This information should not be relied upon as a substitute for professional advice, and we encourage you to seek specific advice from your professional adviser before making a decision on the matters discussed in this article. Information in this article is current at the date of this article, and we have no obligation to update or revise it as a result of any change in events, circumstances or conditions upon which it is based.
