COTA Australia Community Information Sessions: Helping Older Australians Navigate the New Aged Care Reforms

Australia's aged care system is about to undergo its most significant transformation in decades. From the 1st of November 2025, the new Aged Care Act will come into effect, introducing major reforms aimed at creating a system that places the rights, dignity, and needs of older people at its core. These changes represent an essential step towards ensuring that aged care in Australia is safer, fairer, and more responsive to the people it is designed to serve.

However, with any kind of change comes complexity. The reforms are vast and wide-reaching, meaning they will affect older Australians in different ways depending on circumstance. Whether they are living at home with support, entering residential care, or helping a loved one navigate the system. Families, carers, service providers, and community members are also impacted, as they play a fundamental function in supporting older people through these transitional phases of later life.

To ensure the community is well-versed, COTA Australia and the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) are hosting a series of community information sessions across the country during September and October. These sessions will run both in-person and online, guaranteeing people in all locations have the chance to participate and have their questions answered.

What the sessions will offer

The community information sessions are designed to break down what can feel like overwhelming policy detail, into clear, practical guidance. Participants will:

• Learn what the new Aged Care Act means in everyday practice.

• Understand the key changes in how aged care will be delivered.

• Have the chance to ask questions directly and receive reliable, accessible information.

• Share their views and experiences to help guide how reforms are rolled out.

For older Australians, having access to straightforward and trustworthy information is crucial. The reforms are intended to strengthen rights and protections, but for those who depend on round-the-clock care, what matters most is how those changes will affect their lives. These sessions are about assuring people have the confidence and understanding they need to navigate the new system.

More than information – a chance to be heard

While the sessions will provide essential guidance, they also represent something deeper: an opportunity for active listening and collaboration. The voices of older people, families, and support workers are central to the success of these reforms. By creating a safe space for community members to share their lived experiences and concerns, COTA and OPAN aim to ensure that the rollout of the new Act reflects the realities of everyday life in aged care.

Why it matters

The introduction of the new Aged Care Act is more than a policy shift, it is a statement about the kind of society we want to build and foster. At its heart, the reforms are about valuing older Australians and recognising their right to safe, respectful, and person-centred care. But achieving this vision requires active engagement from the community. These sessions are a vital step in ensuring that older people are not only informed about their rights but also empowered to exercise them.

Who should attend

The sessions are open to a broad and extensive audience. Older Australians, families, carers, service providers, and interested community members are all encouraged to attend. Whether you are directly receiving aged care, supporting someone who is, or working within the system, these sessions will provide valuable insight into the future of aged care in Australia.

Be part of the conversation

The aged care reforms mark an important moment of change. By attending a community information session, you can ensure that you are informed, prepared, and part of the national conversation about how aged care should look in the years ahead.

Find a consultation near you:

·         Sydney Monday 15 September 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

·         Canberra Tuesday 16 September 1:30 pm - 3:30 pm

·         Melbourne Thursday 18 September 1:00 pm - 3:00 pm

·         Hobart Friday 19 September 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

·         Adelaide Wednesday 08 October 2:00 pm - 4:00 pm

·         Perth Friday 10 October 10:00 am - 12:00 pm 

·         Darwin Monday 13 October 9:00 am - 11:00 am 

·         Gold Coast Tuesday 14 October 11:00 am - 1:00 pm

For more details and to register for a session near you, or to attend online, visit: https://cota.org.au/project/community-information-sessions-near-you-the-new-aged-care-reforms-explained/