Billing Support

Resident Agreement
Variation

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As you may know, the Australian government’s New Aged Care Act came into effect on 1 November 2025 placing the rights, dignity and wellbeing of older people at the centre of our aged care system.  

 

One of our responsibilities under the new act is to ensure that your current resident agreement with Opal HealthCare complies with the new legislation and rules.  

Q and A for residents and families

  • The Australian Government’s new Aged Care Act came into effect on 1 November 2025. All aged care providers are required to update their resident agreements to comply with the new law by 31 October 2026. These changes apply to every aged care resident and all providers across Australia. Our letter is intended to help you understand what this means for you. 

  • No. Your room price and care fees will stay the same. Nothing changes unless you choose to opt into the new fee arrangements under the new Act. If you choose to do this, we encourage you to first seek advice from a financial advisor with aged care experience. 

  • These changes to your agreement do not affect any Additional or Extra Services you’re currently receiving. We’ll contact you separately about these. In the meantime, you'll continue to enjoy your current services without interruption. 

  • A few things have been updated to reflect the new law: 

    • Your agreement has a new name — it's now called an Accommodation and Service Agreement 
    • Your rights are now outlined in a new Statement of Rights, which replaces the old Charter of Aged Care Rights 
    • The services we are required to provide have been updated to match the new laws. These are detailed in the Residential Care Service List and summarised in your letter. 

  • Under the new Act, a Supporter is a person – or people- you can choose to help you make and communicate decisions about your care. If you’ve already registered a Supporter, or would like to, please let your General Manager know so we can include their names in your agreement.  

  • While we already meet the new requirements at Opal HealthCare, the updated rules also give you the option to make a whistleblower disclosure. This means you can safely speak up if you ever suspect a breach of the Aged Care Act, without fear of repercussion. This is now noted in your agreement. 

  • Yes. We’re now required to review your agreement with you at least once a year, or whenever you request it. We’ll reach out to arrange this over the coming months, but if you’d like a review sooner, just let us know. 

  • To finalise the changes, we need your consent. When you’re ready, please sign the Acknowledgement and Consent Form included with your letter. Take your time, and feel free to ask questions, meet with us, or seek your own independent legal or financial advice before signing. 

  • Your current agreement will remain in place. However, where the law requires specific changes, those will apply automatically. 

  • Please reach out to the General Manager at your Care Community. 

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