The New Aged Care Act: What it Means for You and Your Family
Written by: Jennifer Langton, Head of Advice, Aged Care Personal Advice. Authorised Representative of Aged Care Steps Pty Ltd
Australia’s aged care system has entered a new era.
With the introduction of the new Aged Care Act in November 2025, the landscape of aged care has changed significantly. Grounded in the recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission, the new legislation puts older Australians’ rights, safety and choice front and centre—while lifting standards across the sector.
But with these welcome improvements comes greater complexity and increased contributions for most consumers.
Big Changes, Big Decisions
The new rights‑based framework has also brought major changes to how aged care is funded. For many families, this means making important decisions about:
The family home
Assets and investments
Income, cashflow and pension entitlements
While the reforms are designed to create a fairer and more sustainable system, even small missteps can be costly. The cost of getting good advice is often far less than the cost of getting it wrong.
“We Can Do This Ourselves” … Until It’s Too Late
When it comes to aged care, some things really are too important to do on your own.
We often meet families who tried to save money by relying on free information or unlicensed advice—only to come to us after the damage has been done. Common outcomes include:
Selling the family home unnecessarily
Submitting incorrect or avoidable paperwork
Paying higher aged care fees than required
Missing out on Centrelink entitlements
Incurring unnecessary tax bills
Ongoing stress because long‑term cashflow wasn’t properly planned
These outcomes are almost never intentional. They happen because aged care is complex, and unlicensed advice carries no accountability.
The Value of Licensed Aged Care Advice
Licensed aged care advice isn’t just about numbers—it’s about protection, clarity and peace of mind, especially when major financial decisions are being made under pressure.
At Aged Care Personal Advice, our team of fully accredited aged care financial advisers specialise in navigating this complexity. With years of experience, we act solely in your best interests, helping you make confident, informed decisions at every stage.
How We Can Help
If you’re starting to think about aged care for yourself or a family member, now is the time to plan. We can help you to:
• Understand how the new Aged Care Act affects you
• Calculate your aged care contributions accurately
• Structure your finances and investments to support long term cashflow
• Understand tax and legal implications and protect your estate
If you’d like to explore your options for funding aged care, we’re here to help. Visit the Aged Care Personal Advice website to learn more, get in touch, or book an appointment with one of our specialist advisers.
Join Our Free Webinar: Aged Care Explained
Want a clear overview of the new system?
Register for our free “Aged Care Explained” webinar at 6pm on 30 April 2026, where we’ll walk through the new regulations and explain what they mean for older Australians and their families.