November Act Changes: What They Mean for Your Care Journey

A clear, grounded update for anyone trying to make sense of what’s happening

The new Aged Care Act came into effect on 1 November 2025, and while the long-term goal is a better, fairer system, the transition period is causing real stress for a lot of people. If you’ve been hearing about families losing services, facing new co-contributions, or getting confusing updates from providers, you’re not imagining it. It’s happening. And it has people worried.

After talking with families about their concerns, we’ve put together a breakdown of some of the key changes happening now, what they’re meant to do, and what they mean in real life when you’re trying to choose or manage care.

1. Rights and responsibilities are clearer

The new Act finally spells out what older people can expect from providers, including safe, quality, person-centred care.

Why it matters: It gives people more power to speak up and ask for what they’re entitled to. But it also means providers are tightening processes as they adjust to the new rules, sometimes causing delays, confusion, or changes to how services are delivered.

2. Major changes to fees and cost-sharing

This is the big one. People are reporting sudden changes to their service mix, reduced hours, or requests for co-contributions they can’t afford. 

This is due to fundamental changes in the pricing structure, that removes packages management fees and fixes care management fees at 10% of funding. This has resulted in hourly rates for services increasing across the board.

Why it’s happening: Providers must now show clearer, more transparent pricing. And providers have increased their fees across the board due to changes to package management and care management fees.

Clients are also now required to make contributions to cover more of the cost of delivering services.

How it impacts care choices: Some people are receiving fewer services just to stay within budget. Others are switching providers to get better value. Families are feeling more pressure to bridge the gaps. It’s tough, and you’re not alone if you’re feeling overwhelmed.

3. Stronger protections when you raise concerns

If something doesn’t feel right, the new rules give you a safer, clearer way to speak up. You can question a fee, challenge a change, ask why something has been reduced, or request a review of your care plan. And you’re protected when you do.

4. Providers must show their work

Everything, from care planning to staff training to service delivery, needs to be documented and evidence-based.

What this looks like right now: More assessments. More checking. More reviews of what you’re funded for. It’s meant to lift quality, but during the transition it can feel like extra admin and extra hoops.

This included getting signatures for services delivered or using technology, such as geo tracking, to evidence service delivery.

5. Care has to be genuinely person-centred

Not as a slogan. As a legal requirement. This means your goals, your preferences, your safety, your lifestyle, and your priorities should drive your care, not provider convenience.

But real talk: During transition periods, some providers are struggling to balance this with cost pressures, staff shortages, and the new compliance workload.

So, what does all this mean for you?

You’re allowed to ask questions, get explanations, request transparent fee breakdowns, challenge changes, seek a second opinion, look at other providers, review your services, and adjust your plan if it no longer meets your needs.

And you don’t need to navigate this alone.

We help people understand what the changes mean for their situation, not in legal terms, but in real-world decisions: What can you afford? Is your provider giving you value? Do you have better options? The system is shifting, and that can feel scary. But there are choices, and there is a way forward that keeps you safe, supported, and informed.