Sasha Omran

The Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, attended a meeting in Melbourne today to hear directly from older people about their views on the new rights-based Aged Care Act, which comes into effect on 1 November.   “Forums like… Read More »Older people raise their concerns with Minister

More than 4,330 people registered for OPAN’s What the new Aged Care Act means for you: the Big Q&A webinar. Between them, they submitted more than 600 questions.  Our panel of experts worked hard to answer as many of those… Read More »Your Aged Care Act questions answered  

OPAN, as the national peak body of individual advocacy, is committed to supporting and championing the rights of older people,  and supports the implementation of the new Aged Care Act.    We believe the Act will, over time, drive rights-based care… Read More »PUBLIC STATEMENT – advocacy and aged care reform 

Kirby Slade, an Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander community advocate with Elder Rights Australia, OPAN’s Victoria network member.  Tell us a little about your background  I am a proud Yorta Yorta woman who grew up in a small town in… Read More »Advocacy in action: Kirby Slade 

Financial issues were one of the main reasons older people living in residential care called OPAN’s Aged Care Advocacy Line in the 23/24 financial year. Sometimes, a clear explanation of the Services Australia assessment process and provider costs and fees… Read More »How to take (financial) control of your aged care

Message from the CEO, Craig Gear The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has reluctantly supported a 4-month delay to the implementation of the new rights-based Aged Care Act announced today because it was becoming increasingly apparent that older people didn’t have… Read More »Why OPAN supports delay to new Aged Care Act

Heidri Brook, a Financial Advocacy Officer with Aged and Disability Advocacy Australia (ADA Australia), OPAN’s Queensland network member.  Most people do not anticipate needing assistance with their finances. But with the rising cost of living and changes to the aged care… Read More »Aged care cost relief when you’re struggling to pay 

National Older Persons Reference Group member Michelle TreasureMichelle Treasure’s mother lived with dementia at home, and in residential aged care, for more than 12 years. She passed away just over a year ago. ‘I wish I had known about supported… Read More »‘Mum seemed happier and more engaged’ 

Stuart Barber, a financial advocacy officer with Senior Rights Service, OPAN’s New South Wales network member.    Tell us a little about your background.  I wasn’t always a ‘money guy’. I started as a graphic designer and was quite successful in… Read More »Advocacy in action: Stuart Barber

The new Aged Care Act was passed in the Australian Parliament on 25 November 2024. It will commence on 1 July 2025. Much of the detail around how it is to be implemented is contained in the subordinate legislation, or… Read More »What the new Aged Care Act means for you