Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment Bill 2025

Stage by Stage

Summaries in reported speech - not a transcript. In date order, both chambers.

1. Thursday 24 July 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The Minister for Aged Care and Seniors introduced the bill to make technical and consequential amendments to support the new Aged Care Act 2024. The legislation aims to guarantee payments made by older Australians accessing funded aged care by maintaining the government guarantee scheme for registered providers. It also allows the government to levy costs from providers in specific circumstances, such as default events. The debate was adjourned without further discussion from other members.

   Outcome: Debate adjourned.

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2. Wednesday 30 July 2025 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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3. Wednesday 30 July 2025 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   Members debated technical amendments required to implement the Aged Care Act 2024, with the start date deferred from July to November 2025. The Coalition supported the legislation but criticised the government's transparency and delayed delivery of promised home-care packages, seeking a committee referral. Independent and crossbench members supported the bill but raised concerns about new ministerial rule-making powers, rising costs for consumers, and staffing shortages in regional areas. The National Party highlighted the financial burden on small regional facilities due to staffing requirements and carbon offset costs. The bills were passed without amendment.

   Outcome: The bills were read a second time and reported to the House without amendment.

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4. Wednesday 30 July 2025 · House of Representatives

   Reference to Federation Chamber
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5. Thursday 31 July 2025 · Senate

   First Reading
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6. Thursday 31 July 2025 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The Minister for the National Disability Insurance Scheme introduced two bills to facilitate the commencement of the Aged Care Act 2024 on 1 November 2025. The legislation includes technical, transitional, and consequential amendments to support the new rights-based framework for aged care. Key measures involve updating subsidy provisions, refining the Star Ratings program, and ensuring the continuity of accommodation payment guarantees. The debate concluded with the second reading being adjourned to the next sitting period.

   Outcome: Further consideration of the second reading was adjourned until the first sitting day of the next parliamentary session.

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7. Tuesday 26 August 2025 · Senate

   Bill Debate

   The debate concerned two bills designed to implement the Aged Care Act 2024 and deliver royal commission recommendations. The Liberal Party indicated it would not block the legislation but criticised the government for rejecting earlier amendments that would have allowed for transitional arrangements. The speaker argued that the government's refusal to accept these changes delayed the commencement of new home care programs and denied older Australians timely access to assessed care. The debate was interrupted before a final vote or further speeches could occur.

   Outcome: The debate was interrupted before a conclusion was reached.

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8. Monday 1 September 2025 · Senate

   Second Reading

   The debate centred on technical amendments required to implement the Aged Care Act 2024, which had been delayed from July to November 2025. The Opposition argued the delay resulted from government unpreparedness and highlighted significant waitlists for home care, while the Government defended the deferral as necessary for sector readiness and cited previous reforms. Both sides acknowledged the necessity of the bills for the new system's commencement, with the Opposition moving a second reading amendment calling for immediate action on rules and workforce planning.

   Outcome: The transcript ends before the vote or final outcome is recorded.

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9. Tuesday 2 September 2025 · Senate

   Second Reading

   Senators debated technical amendments required to implement the Aged Care Act 2024, which had been delayed due to legislative readiness issues. The Coalition supported the bills as necessary fixes to government errors but criticised the lack of preparation and the resulting waitlists. The Greens expressed concern that the reforms prioritised provider profits over resident rights and failed to address systemic issues identified by the Royal Commission. Independent Senator Pocock highlighted the human cost of delays and proposed releasing additional home-care packages. The debate concluded with the Coalition foreshadowing amendments to ensure transparency and sector readiness.

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10. Wednesday 3 September 2025 · Senate

    Third Reading
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11. Wednesday 3 September 2025 · Senate

    In Committee

    The debate focused on amendments to the Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 and the Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment Bill 2025, covering home care package releases, whistleblower protections, and rulemaking powers. Senator Pocock’s proposal to release 20,000 packages immediately was not passed, while Senator Ruston’s amendment guaranteeing 83,000 support places by mid-2026 was agreed to. Other amendments regarding redress payments, provider offences, and whistleblower protections were negatived or opposed, though a measure requiring Senate committee review of transitional rules was passed. The discussion concluded with senators addressing the early release of home care packages and the final status of the legislation.

    Outcome: The Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Bill 2025 was agreed to as amended and reported with amendments and requests, while the Aged Care (Accommodation Payment Security) Levy Amendment Bill 2025 was agreed to and reported without amendment.

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12. Wednesday 3 September 2025 · Senate

    Second Reading

    The Senate debated two bills amending aged care legislation to facilitate the commencement of the Aged Care Act 2024 on 1 November 2025. The Australian Greens supported the technical changes but opposed the bills due to concerns about fees and the failure to prevent young disabled people from entering residential aged care. The Liberal Party supported the bills but criticised the government for delaying implementation and failing to deliver promised home care packages. Labor senators defended the reforms as necessary to address systemic neglect and improve workforce conditions. The Greens moved amendments highlighting the waitlist crisis and the presence of under-65s in aged care, which were defeated.

    Outcome: The Greens' amendments were not passed, with divisions resulting in votes of 26-32, 23-33, and 12-29 against them, while one division passed 33-22.

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