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Call the Aged Care Advocacy Line, our national team of advocates is available Monday to Friday 8am–8pm and Saturday 10am-4pm 

1800 700 600

The Statement of Rights​

On this page

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Introduction

Enshrined in legislation under the Aged Care Act 2024, the Statement of Rights defines and protects older people’s rights when accessing government-funded aged care in Australia.

Under the Aged Care Act 2024, providers are legally obliged to deliver services to older people in line with the Statement of Rights.
Older people’s rights are also enforceable through a direct complaint to the Aged Care Complaints Commissioner’s website.

You can learn more about the Statement of Rights, including the full wording as it appears in the Act, via the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s website.

For a simple and easy-to-understand version, view or download OPAN’s poster on the Statement of Rights.

How does the Statement of Rights differ from what came before?

Compared with the now-superseded Charter of Aged Care rights, the Statement of Rights differs in the following ways:
  • The older person is recognised as being at the centre of their care, with their rights made the focus.
  • Older people’s capacity to make their own decisions about their life and care is presumed by default, with recognition of their right to be supported, if they wish, in making those decisions.
  • The onus is on providers to deliver services in line with the Statement of Rights, with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission enforcing penalties for those that fail to do so.
  • The addition of an independent Complaints Commissioner gives older people direct recourse to have their complaints addressed transparently.
  • The right of an older person to access and be supported by an independent aged care advocate is affirmed.

Addressing concerns

If you have a concern that your rights are not being observed or respected:

Contact OPAN

You can get support by contacting OPAN.

Contact us

Make a complaint

You can also file a complaint with the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

File a complaint

Learn more about the Statement of Rights

Statement of Rights poster

For a simple and easy-to-understand version, view or download OPAN’s poster on the Statement of Rights.
View poster

Statement of Rights information sheet

Download OPAN’s Statement of Rights information sheet to learn how the Aged Care Act 2024 protects dignity, respect, and choice for older Australians.

View information sheet

Learn more

Visit the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission’s website for more about the Statement of Rights, including the full wording as it appears in the Act.

Visit website

Learn more

Visit the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing’s website for useful resources on the Statement of Rights.

Visit website

Self-advocacy toolkit

Toolkit

Need more information about your aged care journey? Explore OPAN's self-advocacy toolkit.

View toolkit
Download booklet

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