With sweeping reforms brought by the new Aged Care Act 2024 coming into effect from 1 November 2025, now is the perfect time to start getting your affairs in order. Change is coming to the way aged care services are delivered, regulated, and funded, and starting aged care planning early ensures a clear way forward.
This guide provides a clear, step-by-step checklist to help you make informed decisions and take practical steps before the reforms take hold.
1. Register with My Aged Care & Arrange an Assessment (ACAT)
- Register now: My Aged Care is the official entry point into the government-funded aged care system. Whether you’re considering Home Care Packages, the Commonwealth Home Support Program, or residential care, you’ll need to be registered.
- Book an ACAT (or ACAS in Victoria): This is the Aged Care Assessment Team process that evaluates your eligibility and level of need. Depending on demand, wait times for an assessment can be long. Starting early ensures you’re not left scrambling should your circumstances change suddenly.
Why it matters: Your ACAT results become the foundation for your aged care journey. They will determine what services you can access, how much support you’re entitled to, and help you weigh up whether staying at home, moving into residential care, or exploring other options is best for you.
2. Organise Key Documents and Legal Directives
Being prepared with the right paperwork will save headaches later. Begin gathering and updating the following:
- ACAT assessment results
- Proof of identity (driver’s licence, passport, birth certificate)
- Medicare card and Centrelink details
- Health records, including medication lists and specialist reports
- Legal documents, such as Enduring Power of Attorney (EPOA) or Advance Care Directives
Why it matters: A well-organised folder of documents speeds up applications, reduces stress during emergencies, and ensures your healthcare and financial wishes are clear to both family and providers.
3. Plan Financially: Understand Costs and Seek Advice
One of the most challenging aspects of aged care is understanding the financial side. Planning now helps avoid unwelcome surprises.
- Know the fees: These may include the basic daily fee, means-tested fees, accommodation deposits (RAD) or daily payments (DAP), and optional extras.
- Be aware of changes: From November 2025, reforms will introduce new contribution models including caps, means-testing adjustments, and revised thresholds.
- Seek advice: Independent financial advisers, or Services Australia’s free Financial Information Service, can help you model different care scenarios.
Self-funded retirees take note: The proposed reforms may increase lifetime contribution caps significantly. Early planning helps manage affordability and protects your estate.
Let us know what you’re looking for. Our friendly, experienced team will send a tailored report within 20 minutes. Get started here.
4. Evaluate Aged Care Options and Providers
Choosing the right provider is not a decision to rush. Start exploring your options well before November 2025.
Residential care vs. home care vs. respite: Think carefully about which setting best supports your lifestyle and independence.
- Trial with respite care: Short stays provide a realistic sense of the environment before making long-term commitments.
- Consider retirement living: Some communities provide a middle ground, offering independence, social engagement, and better health outcomes without the intensity of full-time aged care.
5. Build a Personalised Care Plan
Care planning should go beyond ticking boxes. A personalised plan reflects your goals, values, and lifestyle, ensuring your care supports what matters most to you.
- Start with structured planning tools: Use government checklists and accredited frameworks to outline responsibilities, goals, and review points.
- Prioritise independence and quality of life: Focus on wellness and reablement, aiming to maintain your abilities and social connection rather than just managing decline.
- Tailor your plan to your needs: Personalise your care using tools aligned to the Aged Care Quality Standards, such as those from Keep Able, to make sure providers deliver care that truly suits you.
A written plan also acts as a reference for family and carers, reducing misunderstandings and helping ensure your wishes are respected.
6. Stay Involved and Updated in Your Care Journey
- Regularly review your plan: Modify based on changing needs or circumstances (health status, living situation).
- Engage actively: Whether at home or in a residential setting, your voice matters. Keep participating and asking questions.
7. Be Reform-Ready
The aged care system will change on 1 November 2025. To make sure you benefit from the updates:
- Update your documents: Ensure your ACAT assessment, legal directives, and care plans are current.
- Check your provider arrangements: Confirm your chosen providers meet quality standards and are prepared for the new system.
- Position yourself for a smooth transition: Being organised now helps you access care more easily, avoid delays, and maintain control over your choices.
8. Create Advance Care Directives and Appoint a Substitute Decision-Maker
Advance care planning is about taking control of your future healthcare decisions. It gives you peace of mind and clarity for your loved ones if they ever need to make decisions on your behalf.
Key steps include:
- Appointing a substitute decision-maker: Depending on your state or territory, this may be called an enduring guardian or attorney.
- Documenting your health preferences: An Advance Care Directive lets you outline what treatments and interventions you would or would not want. This could cover resuscitation, palliative care, or preferences around cultural and spiritual needs.
Helpful resource: Advance Care Planning Australia provides guides, templates, and support to help you through this process.
Step | What to Do |
1. My Aged Care & ACAT | Register with My Aged Care and arrange your ACAT (or ACAS in Victoria) assessment early to determine your care needs.
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2. Documents & Legal | Gather identification, Centrelink and Medicare details, health records, and legal documents such as Enduring Power of Attorney or Advance Care Directives. |
3. Financial Planning |
Understand fees, review upcoming reforms, and seek professional or free financial advice to plan for costs and contributions. |
4. Explore Options |
Compare care providers, consider residential, home care, or respite services, and trial short-term stays or retirement living communities to see what fits best. |
5. Build a Personalised Care Plan |
Use structured planning tools and templates, prioritise independence and wellness, and personalise your plan to reflect your values, goals, and lifestyle. |
6. Stay Engaged |
Regularly review and update your plan, actively participate in care decisions, and use advocacy and information services as needed. |
7. Be Reform-Ready |
Ensure your documents, assessments, and provider arrangements are current and aligned so you can transition smoothly when the new system begins on 1 November 2025.
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8. Advance Care Planning |
Appoint a substitute decision-maker and create or update your Advance Care Directive to clearly document your health preferences. |
Why Start Now?
- Avoid rushed decisions—especially critical if a health event arises unexpectedly.
- More choice and clarity—early planning tends to lead to smoother transitions and better outcomes.
- Be reform-ready—by November 2025, you’ll be positioned to benefit from the improved system under the new Act.
At Aged Care Decisions, we simplify complicated decisions and information. Our highly-experienced team can help you get everything on track before 1 November 2025 rolls around, ensuring a weight off your back. Simply tell us where you’re at with your aged care and we’ll help you fill in the gaps with our fast, 100% FREE and independent service.
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