2026 Australian Comparison Brief - Aged Care Reform and Lessons for NZ
2026 Australian Comparison Brief
Sector evidence
Sector body
June 2026
Next review not yet scheduled
New Zealand
Medium confidence
published
SNZ editorial review
Evidence boundary: This record summarises the cited source. It does not establish local availability, individual eligibility, or professional advice.
Short Answer
Source: Australian Government, Aged Care Act 2024 (https://www.legislation.gov.au (opens in a new tab)); Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Summary of Aged Care Reforms (2024).
Key Points
- •Compliance rating (from quality audits)
- •Quality measures (pressure injuries, falls, medication management, etc.)
- •Staffing minutes (registered nurse, enrolled nurse, personal care worker minutes per resident per day)
- •Resident experience (survey results)
- •Worker registration was a Labour government priority; opposed by some provider groups on cost grounds
- •Star ratings have been broadly supported by consumer groups but created compliance burden concerns for providers
Full Summary & Notes
Source: Australian Government, Aged Care Act 2024 (https://www.legislation.gov.au (opens in a new tab)); Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care, Summary of Aged Care Reforms (2024). The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (2018-2021) was the most comprehensive investigation of aged care in any country. Its findings echo many issues in NZ: Sources: Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety (Australia), Final Report: Care, Dignity and Respect (2021); HDC, Amplifying the Voices of Older People (2024). Australia's legislated Statement of Rights includes: - Right to safe and high-quality care - Right to dignity and respect - Right to make informed choices - Right to live free from abuse and neglect - Right to access advocates and complaints mechanisms - Right to exercise control over personal affairs Australia introduced mandatory 1-5 star ratings for all residential aged care facilities from December 2023. Star ratings combine: - Compliance rating (from quality audits) - Quality measures (pressure injuries, falls, medication management, etc.) - Staffing minutes (registered nurse, enrolled nurse, personal care worker minutes per resident per day) - Resident experience (survey results) From 2024, Australia is introducing mandatory registration of aged care workers (personal care workers, nursing assistants, support workers) through the Aged Care Workforce Registration Scheme. Australia's Home Care Packages
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