Understanding the new Aged Care Act and its impact on SMRC’s Services

14 August 2025

What you need to know about the 2024 Aged Care Reforms

The new Aged Care Act, set to replace the Aged Care Act 1997 and the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission Act 2018, will officially come into effect on 1 November 2025. While the reform marks a major shift in how aged care is provided, SMRC is committed to adapting its services to continue supporting our community.

Key reforms and what they mean for SMRC

Rights-Based, Person-Centred Care

The Aged Care Act 2024 introduces a rights-based, person-centred approach to care, as well as a Statement of Rights that enhances choice and control for recipients. The Act aligns regulatory standards with recommendations from the 2018 Royal Commission into Aged Care, ensuring quality and accountability in service delivery.

Stronger Provider Obligations

The new Act includes strengthened registration requirements, new Codes of Conduct, and updated Quality Standards for all providers, including those offering Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) and Home Care Package (HCP) services. While these reforms will ensure better service delivery, it is important to note that SMRC will continue operating under the CHSP framework until at least 2027.

Source: Department of Healthy, Disability and Ageing

What this means for SMRC’s current services

Continued CHSP operations until 2027

SMRC will not transition CHSP programs to the new Support at Home Program in 2025. CHSP services will continue at SMRC until 2027, at which time they will then likely transition into the Support at Home program. This means SMRC will maintain current service delivery, ensuring there is no disruption for our existing clients.

Increased scrutiny and alignment with new Standards

Though we continue under the CHSP model, the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will gradually align CHSP services with the new Support at Home principles. This may involve:

Stronger reporting on service outcomes
Enhanced client engagement in care planning
Improved alignment with new Aged Care Quality Standards

These changes require SMRC to upgrade our systems and ensure our workforce is trained to meet evolving expectations, keeping our services in line with the latest standards.

Potential changes ahead

Funding and payment models

Changes to payment structure

From 2027, the funding model for CHSP may shift from block funding to a fee-for-service model, similar to Support at Home. This will require SMRC to ensure robust client management systems, real-time service tracking, and clear cost recovery structures to effectively manage resources.

Positioning SMRC for the future

Community Support Hub for Aged Care

SMRC will continue to lead as a local community hub focused on entry-level aged care services, social inclusion, and wellness, with a special emphasis on cultural and linguistic outreach. We are committed to supporting the needs of our community and will continue to provide services that foster independence, respect, and dignity for our clients.

How SMRC is preparing for the new Aged Care Act

Like many other providers, we are dedicated to staying up to date via regular updates from the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing. SMRC also values information provided by Sector Support Development (SSD) such as toolkits and webinars for providers to better understand and prepare for changes.

As SMRC prepares for these changes, we remain committed to ensuring our services evolve to meet the new Aged Care standards. This includes a robust governance framework for our clients, staff, volunteers, Executive Team and Board of Directors. We will continue to provide the support that our clients rely on, adapting as needed to stay at the forefront of aged care service delivery.