As tomorrow marks the implementation of the new Aged Care Act, I want to take a moment to recognise the tremendous effort and dedication that has gone into preparing for this significant change — both within our organisation and across the aged care sector.
This new legislation – underpinned by a Statement of Rights that aims to ensure older people and their needs are at the centre of the aged care system – marks a pivotal moment for aged care in Australia and I am incredibly proud of the work that has been done by our teams to get to this point.
From the very start, our employees have worked tirelessly to ensure the changes coming into effect are communicated effectively and our customers feel supported throughout this transition.
We are also deeply grateful for the collaboration within the sector. Across aged care providers, we’ve seen a united effort to ensure a smooth transition and address the inevitable teething problems that arise with any large-scale reform.
This period of change serves as a powerful reminder of what a special and rewarding sector we work in. The commitment to providing care, dignity, and support to older Australians is at the heart of everything we do, and it is so encouraging to see the dedication of everyone in the sector who is working hard every day to make a difference to the lives of older Australians.
As part of the changes under the new Aged Care Act, the Australian Government will introduce the Support at Home program, which will replace the current Home Care Package (HCP) program from 1 November. Support at Home has been designed to streamline how home and community care services are accessed and paid for, providing more flexibility and support for older Australians to live independently in their homes.
In anticipation, the Juniper team has been engaging with the public and customers through information sessions and one-on-one conversations. These sessions were designed to provide clear, accessible information about what Support at Home offers, how services will be delivered, what changes to expect, and how those changes will impact service access and payment.
We understand changes under the new Act can appear complex, which is why our focus has always been on making sure our customers are well-informed about the changes and feel supported throughout this transition.
The Senate inquiry into aged care service delivery highlighted the pressing need for reform and action, something the new Aged Care Act is designed to address. The inquiry’s report emphasised the unacceptable reality of older Australians waiting for care and services, and we stand fully behind the recommendations for change.
One of the key recommendations from the inquiry was the release of 83,000 promised home care packages by 30 June 2026. This is vital to addressing long wait times and eliminating rationed care, and we remain committed to advocating for this outcome.
Older Australians should be afforded the right to live with dignity in the comfort of their homes and communities for as long as possible. This is a vision we all share, and it’s one we’re committed to working towards, every day.
While there will undoubtedly be challenges in the coming months, we remain confident the sector as a whole is working together to navigate these changes. The hard work of our staff, and all those across the sector, is a testament to the compassion and commitment that defines the aged care industry.
Thank you to all our employees, and to everyone working in the sector, for your unwavering dedication. Your efforts are making a real difference in the lives of so many older Australians, and we couldn’t be prouder to be part of this community.
Russell Bricknell
CEO Juniper Aged Care
To learn more about the new Support at Home program visit Support at Home – Juniper
To find out more about the new rights-based Aged Care Act visit About the new rights-based Aged Care Act | Australian Government Department of Health, Disability and Ageing
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