Discretionary Powers for Approved Needs Assessors in Aged Care

Aged Care Amendment (Restoring Human Override for Aged Care Needs Assessments) Bill 2026

Private Member's Bill

1st House

2nd House

Law

Introduced by: Anne Ruston (LIB)

Links to official parliament websites

Official page: progress through parliament

Effects of this bill

If this bill passes, it means that:

Approved needs assessors must not let assessment tools or other prescribed rules limit their discretion when undertaking aged care needs assessments.
Approved needs assessors must not let assessment tools or other prescribed rules limit their discretion when undertaking classification assessments.
Individuals can request a reassessment of their need for funded aged care services; this applies if they believe a previous assessment was inaccurate due to the assessment tool used.
Individuals can request a classification reassessment; this applies if they believe a previous classification was inaccurate due to the assessment tool used.
The System Governor must provide details on how assessment tools were used when making decisions about classification assessments.

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