A sold-out community event held in Maroochydore on 4 June brought together older people, carers and service providers to unpack the upcoming changes to aged care in Australia. Hosted by Healthy Ageing Partnerships (HAP), the event focused on what the new Aged Care Act will mean in practice when it comes into effect on 1 November 2025.
HAP is a long-standing Sunshine Coast collaboration that connects older people and industry partners to promote positive ageing and share trustworthy information about available services and activities.
Country to Coast Queensland (CCQ) Chief Executive, Julie Sturgess, said CCQ’s partnership with HAP ensures CCQ stays connected to the voices and experiences of older people in the region.
“We are thrilled to be collaborating with Healthy Ageing Partnerships on their first community event focused on the aged care reforms. It’s an opportunity for us to hear directly from the community about what matters most and to help connect them with local primary care services.”
HAP President, Cheryl Harris, said the group promotes collaboration and is committed to transparent, evidence-based information sharing to support older people and their families through change.
“Recognising the value of strategic partnerships, HAP invited CCQ to help strengthen the community’s response to the upcoming aged care reforms. As the local primary organisation and advocate for older people in the region, HAP is committed to ensuring the evolving standards translate into practical benefits for residents and service providers alike.”
Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care Network Lead, Trudy Johnston, was among the presenters and welcomed the opportunity to engage with the local community.
“The new Aged Care Act and related reforms aim to ensure that people who access aged care services funded by the Australian Government are treated with respect and have the quality of life they deserve.
“Opportunities to connect with communities in the lead up to the commencement of the reforms help everyone prepare for changes that will improve the way services are delivered to older people in their homes, community settings and approved residential aged care homes.”
Sunshine Coast Council’s Strong Community Portfolio Councillor David Law reaffirmed the Council’s decade-long partnership with the Healthy Ageing Partnerships (HAP).
“Council acknowledges HAP as the leading organisation and advocate for older people on the Sunshine Coast,” Cr Law said.
“We recognise the community’s need for clear communication during this time of transition.
“We’re proud to continue our collaboration with HAP and other partners, and we look forward to supporting this and future initiatives together.”
Council on the Ageing CEO, Darren Young, said changes to the aged care system are top of mind for many older people.
“Whilst there is information available, understanding what it specifically means for you can be hard to work out.
“Public forums like this, that are beyond presentations and enable people to ask questions and explore scenarios, are critical to help older people, their families and carers, to prepare for the future. Now with the delay of the start of the new Aged Care Act, this is a great opportunity for more community engagement to give older people confidence to navigate the changes ahead.”
For more information:
My Aged Care Phone: 1800 200 422
New Aged Care Act | Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care
COTA Australia – Representing Older Australians Phone: 1300 268 228
Stay connected with future events:
Country to Coast Queensland Events Calendar
Healthy Ageing Partnerships website
Caption: Country to Coast Queensland, Healthy Ageing Coordinator, Rebecca Anderson, Country to Coast Queensland, Senior Advisor Healthy Ageing and End of Life Care, Margaret Adams, Council on the Ageing Queensland, Chief Executive Officer, Darren Young, Footprints Community, Senior Manager Aged Care Assessment Services, Ryan O’Leary, Age Well, Gerontologist, Tanya Dave, Sage Care Advice, Director, Bruce Baynes, Healthy Ageing Partnerships President, Cheryl Harris, The Healthy Collective Co. Health Promotion Consultant, Tarah McShea, Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Network Lead, Trudy Johnston, Maroochy Home Assist, General Manager, Julie Stacey join forces to share information to the community at the HAP Maroochydore event.
Caption: Maroochydore’s HAP event provided the opportunity to connect with the community to improve the way services are delivered to older people in their homes, community settings and approved residential aged care homes.
Caption: The panel of Healthy Ageing Partnership guest speakers answered questions about navigating aged care reforms from the 150 attendees at the event.
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