New Aged Care Act Deferred to 1 November 2025

Lenient
Jun 6
3 min read

Updated: 4 days ago

Building Readiness Through Understanding.

Preparing for the Strengthened Aged Care Standards: What You Need to Know

As the sector prepares for the rollout of the strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards in November 2025, this blog offers a clear starting point for understanding what is changing and why. You will begin by reading what is already familiar, the 2019 Standards, then explore how these evolve into the new framework. You will find guidance on applying adult learning principles to support your workforce, practical steps organisations can take to prepare, reassurance for providers already meeting current requirements, and a spotlight on the crucial role of Clinical Facilitators in leading meaningful change

Three community health care workers discussing about the Enhanced Aged Care Standards.

Starting from the Known:

2019 Standards → Enhanced 2025 Standards

The current 2019 Aged Care Quality Standards have laid a strong foundation for delivering person-centered, respectful care. The strengthened 2025 standards build on these principles, refining expectations with more measurable outcomes and clearer guidance.

Although the new framework will reduce the standards from eight to seven, the values of dignity, safety, and choice remain central. For many, especially those who have already embedded the 2019 standards, the transition may feel more like evolution than overhaul.

What is Changing?

From the 2019 Standards to the Strengthened 2025 Standards

Here is a simple comparison showing how the current Aged Care Quality Standards align with the strengthened framework coming in November 2025:

Aged Care quality standards 2019	Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards 2025
1. Consumer Dignity and Choice	1.The individual
2. Assessment and Planning	2. The Organization
3. Personal and Clinical Care	3. The Care and Services
4. Services and Support for Daily Living	4. The environment
5. Service environment	5.Clinical care
6 Feedback and complaints	6. Food and Nutrition
7. Human Resources	7. The Residential Community
8.Organisational Governance

Note: Governance and human resources, previously addressed separately, are now integrated into Standard 2 to encourage a more cohesive organisational approach. This highlights the importance of leadership, workforce capability, and integrated systems working together to deliver quality care.

Applying Adult Learning Principles to Support Change

Change can be overwhelming or exciting, depending on people’s roles, experience, and confidence levels. Organisations that adopt an adult learning approach can help their teams transition with clarity and purpose.

Strategies include:

• Acknowledging what staff already know and do well

• Using real scenarios to explore the new standards

• Encouraging reflection and discussion, not just instruction

• Supporting self-directed learning and peer collaboration

Already Meeting the 2019 Standards? You are Likely on Track

A reassuring message for providers is this:

“If your organisation has been consistently meeting the 2019 standards, you are likely well positioned to meet the strengthened 2025 standards, just by continuing to pay attention to what matters.”

The focus is not on starting from nothing, but on refining practice, strengthening systems, and reinforcing what already supports quality care.

What Can Organisations Do Now?

This extra time gives providers a chance to:

• Map and compare the 2019 and 2025 standards

• Update policies and procedures to reflect the new language and structure

• Facilitate learning conversations within teams

• Identify improvement opportunities tied to workforce, governance, or feedback systems

• Make use of guidelines from Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission on Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards.

• Embed learning into daily practice, rather than waiting for compliance deadlines

Rather than a checklist exercise, this is a chance to recommit to person-centered care and evidence of it.

A Note for Clinical Facilitators:

Leading Change from Within- Out

For those in clinical facilitation, coaching, or education roles, this is a valuable moment to lead from within.

Clinical facilitators can help:

• Translate the standards into everyday language

• Always referring to the Guidelines and training provided by the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

• Create meaningful learning experiences for staff

• Model reflective practice and quality conversations

• Build bridges between compliance, care delivery, and team culture

Your role connects theory - the “what” of the new standards with practice- the “how” of frontline care/ support. You are key to embedding change in a way that is empowering, not overwhelming.

Final thoughts:

With the new Aged Care Act now commencing on 1 November 2025, organisations have time, not just to comply, but to lead.

This is a time to pause, review, engage, and strengthen processes within. When change is grounded in understanding, learning becomes a shared journey and quality assurance becomes a shared responsibility.