Aged Care Legislation Amendment (Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner and Other Measures) Bill 2026

Stage by Stage

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

1. Wednesday 1 July 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The Minister for Aged Care and Seniors introduced the bill, which establishes Australia's first permanent, independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner. The legislation aims to improve culturally safe care and address lower usage rates of aged care services among First Nations people. The bill also includes technical amendments to strengthen the Aged Care Act, such as clarifying refund obligations and exempting local councillors from certain responsibilities. The debate was adjourned without further speeches recorded in the transcript.

   Outcome: Debate adjourned.

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2. Tuesday 8 September 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate focused on the establishment of a permanent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner and various technical amendments to the Aged Care Act. The Coalition supported the bill, welcoming the commissioner role as a key Royal Commission recommendation. However, the speaker criticised the government for relying on emergency powers and technical fixes rather than addressing systemic issues like long wait times and insufficient bed construction. The debate concluded with the adjournment of proceedings.

   Outcome: The debate was adjourned and the resumption was set down for a later hour.

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3. Tuesday 8 September 2026 · House of Representatives

   Reference to Federation Chamber
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4. Wednesday 9 September 2026 · House of Representatives

   Second Reading

   The debate focused on establishing a permanent, independent Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Aged Care Commissioner, fulfilling a Royal Commission recommendation to improve culturally safe care for First Nations elders. Speakers highlighted the urgent need for this role given the growing Indigenous elderly population and historical barriers to accessing services. While the bill received broad support across parties, critics noted it did not resolve broader systemic issues such as long waitlists, workforce shortages, and concerns regarding the algorithmic Integrated Assessment Tool. The legislation also included technical amendments to the Aged Care Act 2024, including removing elected local councillors from the definition of responsible persons and making system modification rules permanent.

   Outcome: The bill was read a second time.

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5. Thursday 17 September 2026 · House of Representatives

   Third Reading
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6. Thursday 17 September 2026 · House of Representatives

   Consideration in Detail

   The debate focused on government amendments to the Aged Care Act 2024 that establish a human review pathway for decisions made by the integrated assessment tool. The Minister for Aged Care and Seniors moved the amendments to address complex cases not captured by the automated system. Crossbench members welcomed the restoration of human oversight but criticised the delay and called for broader safeguards against automated decision-making. The Greens and Centre Alliance opposed the amendments as insufficient fixes for a fundamentally flawed algorithm. The amendments were passed, and the bill was agreed to as amended.

   Outcome: The government amendments were agreed to, and the bill, as amended, was agreed to.

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