News

The Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing has released two new resources about volunteering in aged care for volunteers, volunteer managers, and providers.

These resources are designed to support them with the Aged Care Act 2024 (the new Act), which commences on 1 November 2025.

The new Act is very different from the existing legislation. It focuses on empowering older people and upholding their rights, needs and personal choices. It also impacts the way the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission regulates providers and holds them accountable for complying with their responsibilities.

We have outlined these resources below so Volunteers and Volunteer Managers get familiar with them and prepare in advance:

• New Aged Care Act and Volunteering in Aged Care – What providers, volunteer managers, and volunteers need to know
• New Aged Care Act and Volunteering in Aged Care – What volunteers need to know

These booklets are designed to help you understand what will change, and what will remain the same, so you can continue to provide high-quality, respectful, and rights-based volunteering support to older people.

These resources outline key elements such as:

• The new rights-based approach to aged care which volunteers and volunteer managers need to be aware of and follow: these frameworks are designed to ensure older Australians receive respectful, safe, and high-quality care and support that is person-centred and aligned with their individual needs and preferences.
• New regulations: all aged care providers must register under a universal registration system. This system introduces six registration categories, which are based on the type, complexity, and risk of the services provided, not on whether services are delivered by paid staff or volunteers.

For detailed information about these new resources, and to download a copy, please click on the following links:

• New Aged Care Act and Volunteering in Aged Care – What providers, volunteer managers, and volunteers need to know
• New Aged Care Act and Volunteering in Aged Care – What volunteers need to know

You can also find more resources specific for volunteering in aged care, including FAQ by clicking HERE.