ABC has launched a new investigation into Australia’s aged care reforms, introduced in November 2025, to assess whether they are actually improving the system or repeating past failures.
The ABC is seeking real experiences from residents, families, workers, and providers to evaluate whether the reforms are delivering meaningful improvements or just reshaping existing problems.
The reforms were introduced after the 2021 Royal Commission, which found the aged care system was “fundamentally failing.”
Initial reports suggest the situation may not be improving—and could be worsening:
- Long wait times for assessments and care packages
- People receiving less support than approved
- Rising costs, especially for self-funded retirees
- Some individuals reducing or declining care due to affordability
Changes to co-payments under the new Support at Home program are making care more expensive, raising concerns about equity and access. System design concerns:
Questions have been raised about:
- Lack of transparency in how co-payments were set
- The use of an algorithm for care assessments
- Limited public accountability in decision-making
Experts warn that although the reforms include a “Statement of Rights,” these may be hard to enforce without enough funding and workforce capacity.
The investigation could influence future policy, as past media scrutiny has previously triggered major reforms in aged care.
If you have first-hand experience of the system, you can contribute to the ABC’s investigation by filling out the form at the end of this article: ABC Investigation Form
What emerges from this process may do more than test the reforms. It may determine whether further change is forced back onto the political agenda.