Provides the legislative framework for the regulatory, funding and quality foundation of Australia’s aged care system.

Introduction

The Australian Government funds and regulates the provision of residential care, home care, home support and flexible care to those approved to receive it, and provides capital grants to assist in the establishment of new services and the expansion or upgrade of existing aged care services where providers are unable to meet these costs through other sources. It also has in place quality assurance and consumer protection programmes.

The Aged Care Act 1997 (the Act) and associated Aged Care Principles (the Principles) provide the legislative framework for the regulatory, funding and quality foundation of Australia’s aged care system and are based on the set of objectives set out in the Act, namely to:

• provide funding that takes account of the quality, type and level of care;

• promote a high quality of care and accommodation;

• protect the health and well-being of residents;

• ensure that aged care services and funding are targeted towards people and areas with the greatest needs;

• ensure that care is accessible and affordable for all residents;

• provide respite for families and others who care for older people;

• encourage services that are diverse, flexible and responsive to individual needs;

• help residents enjoy the same rights as all other people in Australia;

• plan effectively for the delivery of aged care services; and

• promote ageing in place through the linking of care and support services to the places where older people prefer to live.