2025 has been marked as the year of transformation for the aged care sector. But what does this really mean for you?

The year is bringing with it some old and new challenges, with increasing client demands, rising costs and staff shortages recurring concerns. However, large operational impacts are on the horizon with the new Aged Care Act months away from coming into effect. How can aged care organisations continue to provide the highest quality of care while remaining cost effective?

To help navigate these very real challenges, we’ve identified five key trends that will be leading transformation over the next 12 months.

1. Regulatory Changes and Compliance Pressures

The last few years have really put aged care in the spotlight. With new regulations coming into play, everything’s changing – how care is delivered, how facilities operate, and how they meet compliance, audit, and risk requirements.

The Age Care Act’s changes are focused on four pillars: 

1. Protecting the rights of older Australians
2. Providing person-centred care
3. Preventing, detecting and correcting risks
4. Driving continuous improvement in the sector

To stay on top of it all, a lot of aged care providers are turning to technology. They’re embracing solutions that have built-in compliance frameworks and real-time data, helping them not just meet regulations but also ensure they maintain quality of care and stay financially sustainable.

2. Technology-Driven Transformation in Aged Care

Digital technology, AI, and automation have been the backbone of improvements in the sector over the last few years. But in 2025, these technologies will play an even bigger role in delivering more personalised, higher-quality care.

It’s not just about reducing admin work. These tools provide deeper insights into client needs and enable better care analysis. We’re also seeing a lot more technology that cuts time-consuming tasks and boosts productivity. This shift is all about efficiency and giving your teams the support they need to do their best work.

3. The Rise of Person-Centred and Consumer-Driven Care

Older Australians and their families are now in the driver’s seat when it comes to care, demanding more personalised and flexible options. But with more choices comes the need for extra resources and investment in the infrastructure to support it. Plus, changes to aged care funding and bed licensing are having a real impact. So, how do you offer choice while keeping costs under control?

To stay competitive, more providers are moving to a consumer-driven care model. But this only works if personalised care plans are easily accessible, managed, and updated in real time. This is where purpose-built technology is making a big difference, improving communication and ensuring a higher level of personalised care.

4. Workforce Challenges and Solutions

New statistics have raised alarms showing we’ll need more than 17,551 additional aged care nurses by 2035. The resourcing gap is set to worsen, especially with the new Act requiring registered nurses on site 24/7. A recent survey also revealed that over 41% of current workers feel they don’t have enough time to provide quality care. The big question here is, how do you meet growing staffing demands with a workforce already under strain?

Like other sectors, many aged care workers are now seeking employers who invest in workplace improvements. Here, we’re seeing technology playing a big role, with automation and purpose-built technology helping not only attract but retain staff long-term.

Gen Z workers entering the workforce have raised the bar by expecting workplace technology to match the sophistication of the apps and platforms they use daily. This tech-savvy generation prioritises not just work-life balance but also seamless integration with digital tools and online communication. Failure to meet these expectations can lead to decreased productivity, disengagement and difficultly recruiting top-tier workers.

5. Interoperability and Integration for a Unified Ecosystem of Care

As care extends beyond traditional settings, managing and integrating client data across platforms is becoming more complex. Without a single source of truth, personalised care gets harder. After all, how do you provide unified care without a unified system?

The answer? Solutions that integrate with existing care platforms featuring seamless interoperability. This approach removes data silos, enables live updates, and gives management a unified reporting view. It’s also a smart investment, optimising investment in existing systems and avoiding the need for additional retraining and IT funding.

Platforms like eCase are a perfect example of this. The purpose-built system supports a more connected approach to delivering quality care, while also boosting operational efficiencies and single view reporting capabilities. Making care work better for everyone — from carers and nurses through to managers and leaders.

What other technology trends will 2025 hold?

Learn how others in the industry are innovating the sector and hear from aged care changemakers at the 2025 ITAC Conference and gain real actionable insights for your organisation.

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