Aged care sector prepares for inquiry into new rules
2/4/20262 min read
Inspector-General of Aged Care Natalie Siegel-Brown has made a submission to the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee’s inquiry into the Aged Care Rules 2025.
Ms Siegel-Brown’s submission is focused on the limitations of the Aged Care Code of Conduct, namely that it does not require providers, responsible people or workers to follow the whole Statement of Rights.
She is also concerned about mandatory training for all aged care workers in dementia care and cultural safety not being a requirement of the Aged Care Quality Standards.
In a post to the Office of the Inspector-General of Aged Care’s LinkedIn, Ms Siegel-Brown acknowledged that progress has been made, but said the rules need to be stronger and called on the Senate to address the gaps to ensure safe, high-quality and rights-based care for older people.
“It is inconsistent and inequitable that individuals receive disability services in a regulatory environment focused on reduction and elimination, while those in aged care do not. Globally, the reduction and elimination of restrictive practices is recognised as the ethical, evidence-based approach to safeguarding human rights and advancing person-centred care across all care sectors,” said Ms Siegel-Brown.
Peak body Ageing Australia also made a submission, focusing on funding, compliance burden and reporting, and higher everyday living fee arrangements.
Authored by Ageing Australia general manager for policy and advocacy Roald Versteeg, Ageing Australia’s submission is consistent with its pre-budget submission for 2026-27, calling for:
an increase to the accommodation supplement in the 2026-27 federal budget
the establishment of a floor to the maximum permissible interest rate at 8 per cent, or an equivalent mechanism that can achieve the same outcome
a review of the Australian National Aged Care Classification funding model
an increase to the care management cap for Support at Home to 15 per cent and a review into whether further increases are necessary.
The peak has also called for a review of how to reduce regulatory overlap and improve higher everyday living fee arrangements.
Submissions close on 23 January. The following organisations have also made contributions:
Queensland Public Advocate
St Andrew’s Village Ballina
Pets and Positive Ageing Inc
City of Greater Geelong
Occupational Therapy Australia
Royal Freemasons’ Benevolent Institution
Aged Care Justice and Aged Care Reform Now
Office of the Public Advocate South Australia
Palliative Care Australia.
Natalie Siegel-Brown
Roald Versteeg
