Charter of Aged Care Rights

The Charter of Aged Care Rights (the Charter) sets out the rights of all people receiving Government-subsidised aged care services. The Charter applies regardless of the type of care or service.

The Charter makes it easy to understand what quality care looks like. It also gives clear expectations about the services supplied by aged care providers. The Charter is a requirement of the Aged Care Act 1997.

Watch our video explaining the Charter.

Transcript of 'The Charter of Aged Care Rights'

The Charter

As a person using aged care, I have the right to:

safe and high-quality care and services
be treated with dignity and respect
have my identity, culture and diversity valued and supported
live without abuse and neglect
be informed about my care and services in a way I understand
access all information about myself, including information about my rights, care and services
have control over and make choices about my care and personal and social life, including where the choices involve personal risk
have control over, and make decisions about, the personal aspects of my daily life, financial affairs and possessions
my independence
be listened to and understood
have a person of my choice, including an aged care advocate, support me or speak on my behalf
complain free from reprisal and have my complaints dealt with fairly and promptly
personal privacy and to have my personal information protected
exercise my rights without it adversely affecting the way I am treated.

Provider responsibilities

Providers must:

comply with the Aged Care Quality Standards
help people using aged care understand their rights about the services they receive
help people using aged care understand their rights under the Charter
make sure people using aged care or their representatives are given a reasonable opportunity to sign the Charter
sign and give the person receiving care a copy of the charter (representatives can also receive a copy)
keep a record of the Charter given to the person receiving care.

Asking the person using aged care to sign the Charter allows them to acknowledge they have received and understood the Charter. People using aged care don't have to sign the Charter. They can receive aged care whether they sign it or not.

Read the User Rights Principles Amendment Principles 2019 and the Records Principles 2014 for more information on provider responsibilities and the Charter.