4 June 2025

Today’s announcement of a four month planned delay of the new Aged Care Act, including the Support at Home program is supported by COTA Australia.

The new Aged Care Act was due to come into effect on 1 July 2025, however the Federal Government have announced a new commencement date of 1 November 2025.

Patricia Sparrow, CEO of COTA Australia said COTA has been listening to older Australians and their supporters, and it was clear there was growing concern that there was not enough information available for people to be fully informed.

AS a result, COTA and OPAN wrote to the Government to seek a time limited delay to make sure older people, and their families have the information they need and time to talk to their providers about the changes.

The Federal Government and aged care providers must use this additional time to ensure the system is set up for a smooth implementation on 1 November. We will continue to advocate and work with Government towards this end.

Read COTA Australia’s media release HERE

Read Minister Rae’s letter to older Australians about the delay

Sincerely

Patricia Sparrow
Chief Executive Officer
COTA Australia

P: 1300 COTA AU (1300 2682 28) | W: cota.org.au

Introducing The Health Revolution – Tasmania’s 20-Year Preventive Health Strategy

The Minister for Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing, the Hon Bridget Archer MP, has released the exposure draft of The Health Revolution – a 20-year plan to help Tasmanians live well wherever they live, learn, work or play.

Shaped by the voices of more than 5,000 Tasmanians, the draft Strategy sets out a shared promise to look after each other today and into the future. It reflects a commitment to no longer accept preventable harm and to work together so the good life is within reach for everyone.

The Strategy arrives at a time when chronic disease and rising health costs are being felt right across Australia. It calls on Tasmanians to rethink the story of health in our State – to be honest about where we are now, to expect better than sickness as the norm, and to imagine what’s possible when we build wellbeing together.

Importantly, this Strategy is not owned by government alone. It belongs to all Tasmanians: communities, families, services, businesses and organisations across the State.

View each pillar of the plan in more detail:

• Pillar 1: Healthy environments and places
• Pillar 2: Healthy people and potential
• Pillar 3: Healthy communities and social conditions
• Pillar 4: Healthy foundations and equity
• Pillar 5: Healthy systems and supports

Your feedback

The exposure draft is now open for public consultation, and we invite you to read it, share it, and contribute your insights. It is available on our webpage: https://www.health.tas.gov.au/publications/exposure-draft-health-revolution-20-year-preventive-health-strategy

While this is a Tasmanian strategy, we are also keen to hear from interstate and national organisations and experts. If you are based outside Tasmania, we still welcome your perspective and encourage you to provide feedback based on your experience and expertise.

Download the Feedback Form and email it to consultation@health.tas.gov.au