The Commission has published the four risk priorities they will focus on in 2026/2027.

• Aged care rights in practice

• Sexual safety and sexual rights

• De-escalating changed behaviours

• Culturally safe care for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people delivered by mainstream providers

These risks will receive additional regulatory attention.

This blog will address some of the rights enshrined in the legislation and examples which illustrate how they are reflected in daily practice

• A resident chooses to keep having a daily beer despite a mild aspiration risk; the provider documents the discussion, records a dignity-of-risk agreement, and continues the practice rather than removing it. The right expressly extends to taking personal risks, including in pursuit of quality of life, and social participation.

• A Support at Home client says she doesn’t want the rostered worker who arrives late; the provider changes the worker rather than telling her “that’s who’s available.”

• A resident deteriorating over weeks or months is referred to palliative care and has an advance care plan, choice and decision making and dignity of risk documentation fully reviewed — not left until the last 48 hours. For example, a resident may have refused a pressure relieving mattress in the past, but may now agree to it.

• A worker who speaks over a resident’s head to a colleague (“she’s a wanderer”, “ he always does that” ) is corrected — dignity, respect and non-discriminatory treatment sit at the front of this legislation.

• Restrictive practice: a bed rail applied “for safety” without documented informed consent, alternatives and authorisation by the older person or the restrictive practices substitute decision maker engages both the statement of rights and the restrictive practices conditions on registered providers.

• Handover is done in the office or other private area, not in the corridor or the open nurses station.

• A family asks what the monthly fee actually buys; the provider gives an itemised statement — the right to be provided with information about services includes their cost.

• A Greek-speaking client is offered interpreter services for her care plan review rather than relying on her grandson to interpret clinical information.

• After a medication error, the provider tells the resident and other person/s of their choice what happened, what’s been done and what changes follow — following open disclosure.

• A resident complains about food and is not moved to a different table or “managed” — complaints must be able to be made without fear of reprisal, and dealt with fairly and promptly.

• A client brings an advocate to a fee dispute meeting and the provider accommodates it.

• A resident’s dog visits weekly, and a partner is able to stay overnight in a private room if available — the right to stay connected expressly names pets, safe visitation and intimate connection.

• A designated support person is admitted outside visiting hours during a period of deterioration.

The legislation requires providers to take all reasonable and proportionate steps to act compatibly with the rights — details of the effect of Statement of Rights are found in the legislation.