The introduction of the new Aged Care Act on 1 November 2025 marks a historic shift for Australia’s aged care system. In the DCM Group’s latest webinar, sector leaders offer practical insights, expert strategies – and a roadmap for success.

The countdown is on. From 1 November 2025, aged care providers across residential and home care will enter a bold new era with the rollout of the new Aged Care Act. It’s the most transformative reform since 2011 – and the first 100 days will be a pivotal window to set the tone for long-term success.

BREAKING NEWS: Government delays new Aged Care Act to 1 November

In DCM Group’s recent webinar, ‘Is your organisation ready for the new Aged Care Act?’, held on 29 May, industry leaders unpacked what’s ahead – and how providers can rise to the occasion.

Moderated by DCM Group founder and CEO Chris Baynes, the expert panel featured:

• Ben Woolley, CEO of invoice processing platform Redmap
• Annette Hili, General Manager ANZ at aged care software platform AlayaCare
• Darren Gossling, CEO and Managing Partner of advisory firm Rohling
• Shaun Carnochan, Chief Revenue Officer at MyHomeCare Group
• Amanda Sweeney, National Service Operations and Reporting Manager at Mission Australia

Together, they explored five key implementation challenges – and offered grounded advice to help providers transition with confidence.

1. Strengthened Standards and workforce readiness

The message was clear: aged care is evolving – and so must its workforce.

“There’s no quick fix,” said Amanda. “We’re talking about evolution – specifically culture change and workforce transformation.”

From 1 November, Registered Nurses will issue monthly care statements – a requirement that calls for more training, better systems, and support for clinical teams already under pressure.

But the opportunity goes beyond clinical staff. “Your finance teams speak to clients,” added Shaun. “They need to exude confidence. Contradictory messages destroy trust.”

The transition to a rights-based model will require every staff member to rethink their role.

“If you’re starting the education process now,” Shaun cautioned, “you’re late to the party.”

2. Governance and compliance

Governance is no longer background noise – it’s centre stage.

With the regulator empowered to deregister providers, boards must move from passive oversight to active engagement.

“Assurance is no longer optional,” Amanda stressed. “The regulator wants to know how we know we comply – and we must be able to prove it.”

That means risk-focused oversight, near real-time data, and stronger fluency in Aged Care Standards at board level.

“Technology is a key enabler,” Darren noted, “but so is structured governance. Most providers will be working with a minimum viable product on 1 November – but the real test is how you mature that model over the next 12 months. Boards need real-time data to fulfill their new responsibilities under the Act,” he added. “ Monthly reports won’t cut it anymore – visibility must be continuous and actionable.”

3. Consumer communication and rights-based care

The new Act places older Australians’ rights at its core – but delivering this in daily practice is where the real impact lies.

“We’ve been talking about person-centred care for years – but the challenge is making it real,” said Annette.

“A rights-based approach demands we ask: does the person truly have a say in how and when their care is delivered? If breakfast is only at 7am, is that really choice? These small decisions define dignity – and they’re what the new model expects us to get right.”

"We’re seeing clients invest in customer portals to support rights-based care, enabling families and carers to be part of the communication loop,” added Darren.  “This is about building a connected ecosystem."

Staff at every level must communicate clearly and consistently.

“Confident communication is key,” Shaun said. “Contradiction between team members erodes consumer trust instantly.”

Amanda shared a simple but powerful question her teams use daily: Are we doing things to people – or with people?

This philosophy must guide everything from onboarding to billing – embedding respect, choice, and collaboration in every interaction.

4. Support at Home Program Rollout

The Support at Home program will bring major change – and major opportunity – for home care and CHSP providers.

Nearly a million home care recipients will need new agreements. While IT infrastructure may take time to catch up, the short-term solution is clear: be ready to work manually, and plan to evolve.

“Tech won’t solve systemic issues by itself,” said Ben. “You need to rethink workflows and training before automating.”

For many providers, this will be more than a systems shift – it will be a cultural shift.

5. Financial and administrative readiness

With new billing rules, HELF opt-ins, and means testing, finance teams are stepping into a more complex landscape.

“Tech isn’t a silver bullet,” Ben added. “Without a clear operational change strategy, tech can’t help.”

To navigate the early months smoothly, providers will need interim workflows, staff training, and proactive communication with families.

Success will come from precision, planning, and empathy. Clear invoicing, thoughtful debt management, and transparent conversations will go a long way in maintaining trust – and cashflow.

The opportunity ahead: strategy over survival

What came through from every panellist was a shared message: 1 November isn’t a deadline – it’s a launchpad.

“This isn’t a sprint,” Amanda reminded the audience. “It’s a structured journey – the Government doesn’t expect you to get it 100% right the first time.”

The providers best positioned for success will be those who invest early – in culture, in systems, and most importantly, in people.

By embracing strategy over survival, aged care organisations can lead the sector into a more accountable, consumer-focused, and resilient future.

“These are some of the biggest changes we’ve seen in our sector – comparable to the introduction of the NDIS in 2014,” added Darren.  “Providers must prepare for a multi-year evolution, not just a deadline.”

You can watch the full webinar replay below.