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Our Commitment to the New Aged Care Act and Strengthened Quality Standards

Putting People First – Our Commitment to Quality Aged Care

Introduction to SCCQ's Approach

Growing Communities Through Care That Matters

At Southern Cross Care Queensland, we are committed to grow communities where best lives are lived – and that means delivering care that is not only safe, kind and effective, but grounded in dignity and choice.

The Australian Government’s new Aged Care Act and the Strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards are designed to improve outcomes for older Australians. We welcome these reforms and are working proactively across our services to align with the new requirements.

A key part of these changes is the introduction of the Support at Home program – a reformed home care model designed to help older Australians live with support at home for longer. The program will replace the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care (STRC) programs from 1 July 2025, and the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) will transition no earlier than 1 July 2027. These reforms aim to streamline in-home care services, provide fairer access, and deliver more personalised support tailored to individual needs.

We see this as an opportunity to further embed our mission and values in how we serve residents, clients, and families — with a focus on transparency, continuous improvement, and person-centred care.

We will continue to update this page with useful links and resources as more information becomes available.

Key Focus Areas

What’s Changing and What It Means for You

Stronger Focus on Person-Centred Care

Empowering individuals to make informed choices about their care and wellbeing.

Clarity of Rights

The new Act includes a clear Statement of Rights for people receiving aged care.

Quality and Safety at the Core

The Strengthened Standards build on current expectations with clearer actions for providers.

Workforce Capability and Culture

A renewed focus on supporting staff to provide care that reflects values of dignity and respect.

Regulation and Audit

Aged care providers will register every three years, meeting stricter requirements and proving ongoing suitability, replacing accreditation and unannounced visits.

Key Documents & Resources

Learn More About the Changes

We’ve gathered useful information and official resources to help you understand the reforms and what they mean for residents, clients and families.

  1. About the Aged Care Act
    Learn about the key changes and goals of the new Aged Care Act, designed to better protect and support older Australians.
  2. Strengthened Quality Standards
    Discover how the new Strengthened Quality Standards will lift the quality of aged care services and ensure safer, better care.
  3. About the Statement of Rights
    Understand the new Statement of Rights, which clearly sets out the rights of older people receiving aged care services.
  4. New Single Pathway for Assessments
    Find out how a new single assessment system will make accessing aged care services simpler and more consistent.
  5. Support At Home Pricing Changes
    Learn about upcoming changes to Support at Home pricing and what they mean for the cost of in-home aged care services.

Our Progress

How SCCQ is Getting Ready

We’re undertaking a range of actions to align with the new legislation, including:

  • Training and development for our teams
  • Reviewing policies and procedures across all services
  • Engaging residents, families, and staff in our change journey
  • Updating care plans to ensure they reflect individual goals and preferences

FAQs

When will the new Aged Care Act come into effect?

The new Aged Care Act will come into effect on 1 July 2025. This new legislation will replace existing laws to create a simpler, more consumer-focused aged care system.

What are the main differences in the Strengthened Standards?

The Strengthened Standards are a revised version of the current Aged Care Quality Standards, designed to provide greater clarity and higher expectations across key areas of care.

Key changes include:

  • A clearer focus on person-centred care and individual rights
  • Stronger emphasis on clinical care and governance
  • Enhanced expectations for workforce capability
  • A new standard for food and nutrition
  • Greater transparency and accountability from aged care providers

How will this affect my care or my loved one's care?

You may notice some changes in how we document and deliver care, but the core goal remains the same: to provide care that is safe, respectful, and tailored to each individual’s needs and preferences.

These reforms are designed to improve your experience, protect your rights, and ensure care is delivered with dignity and compassion.

Who can I talk to if I have concerns?

If you have any questions about how these changes may affect you or your loved one, we encourage you to:

  • Speak with your Service Manager
  • Contact our Quality & Compliance Team via quality@sccqld.com.au
  • Or reach out using our online contact form

We’re here to listen and help you navigate this important change.

Contact Us

Need More Information?

If you have any questions about how these changes may affect you or your loved one, we’re here to help. Please email quality@sccqld.com.au for more information.

 

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