How the Aged Care Act 2024 Is Redefining Practice for Allied Health Professionals

The Australian aged care landscape is undergoing a monumental transformation, and it's set to create significant opportunities and challenges for allied health professionals, including those in the natural and complementary health sector. With the introduction of the new Aged Care Act 2024, Australia is moving towards a more rights-based, person-centred system for older people. This shift, along with the launch of the new Support at Home program, is poised to redefine how and where practitioners deliver their services.

Here’s a breakdown of the key changes and what they mean for your practice.

The Shift to 'Support at Home'

The new Aged Care Act, passed by Parliament on November 25, 2024, is scheduled to take effect on November 1, 2025. This legislation places the rights of older Australians at the core of the aged care system, moving away from a provider-focused model. This new law is directly linked to the  

Support at Home program, which will replace the existing Home Care Packages (HCP) and Short-Term Restorative Care programs. The central goal is to empower the elderly to live independently at home for as long as possible.  

For practitioners, this shift from "provider" to "individual" as the central focus of the system opens a new, government-funded market for services. Your holistic and preventative approach to care aligns perfectly with the legislation's goals of supporting independence and well-being in the home.  

Key Opportunities for Your Practice

• A New Market for Services: The Support at Home program creates a significant new market for services, particularly for those in preventative and restorative care. The legislation aims to boost support for allied health services.  
• The Restorative Care Pathway: The new program includes a dedicated "Restorative Care Pathway". This is designed to give patients access to intensive allied health services for up to 16 weeks, with a possible four-week extension, to help them regain independence and avoid the need for higher-level care. Funding for this pathway is allocated immediately upon approval, meaning no wait times for patients who need this support.  
• A New Funding Model: Under the new structure, a client's payment is based on the service type. Allied health services are classified as "Clinical Supports," which have a zero percent contribution rate for the patient. This is a crucial distinction from "Everyday Living" services like domestic assistance, which can have a patient contribution rate of up to 80%.  

Navigating the New Challenges and Professional Advocacy

While the new Act presents clear opportunities, it is not without its challenges. The Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) has actively advocated to ensure the program's design provides equitable access to care for all older Australians.  

A key concern raised by the AHPA is that some allied health professions, such as osteopathy, chiropractic, and art therapy, have been omitted from the "Clinical Supports" list. This means that older people with low incomes would face a higher contribution rate for these services, which could impact their access to care. The AHPA's advocacy efforts aim to correct this and ensure all allied health services are funded according to a patient's assessed need.  

Another important change is the "single service provider" model, which means a single provider will be responsible for delivering or arranging all of a client's services. This means practitioners may need to consider new business models, either by acting as the primary provider or by working in collaboration with a larger organisation to ensure access for patients.  

Preparing for the Future

The new Aged Care Act marks a significant step forward in the formal recognition of the role that allied health and natural therapies play in the health and well-being of older Australians. As a practitioner, staying informed about these changes is crucial. You can access government resources on the Department of Health's website to understand how the new model will work. Engaging with your professional associations, like the AHPA, is also vital, as they are actively working to address the ongoing challenges and ensure the new system works for both practitioners and patients.  

Ultimately, the future of aged care in Australia is one of opportunity and growth for practitioners who are prepared to adapt to a system that is increasingly focused on patient-centred, in-home care.

Table 1: Key Policy and Funding Changes

Under the new Support at Home program, which is set to begin on November 1, 2025, a number of allied health professionals will have a significant opportunity to provide services. The program is designed to deliver more tailored and high-quality care with a strong focus on "restorative care" and "independence support" for older Australians.  

Therapies and services that fall under the program's "Clinical Supports" category are particularly well-positioned to benefit. This is because clinical support services, including nursing, allied health, therapeutic services, and nutrition, have a zero percent contribution rate for the patient. This funding model ensures that patients have full access to these services without having to pay a fee based on their income.  

The program also features a "Restorative Care Pathway," which provides patients with access to intensive allied health services for up to 16 weeks to help them regain strength and independence.  

It's important to note that a point of concern raised by the Allied Health Professions Australia (AHPA) is that some professions, such as osteopathy, chiropractic, and art therapy, have been omitted from the "Clinical Supports" list, which could mean higher costs for low-income patients seeking these services.