A class action has been initiated against Bupa, an aged care provider in Australia, over claims of substandard services in its residential facilities. The lawsuit, filed in the Federal Court, asserts that from July 2019 to April 2025, Bupa Aged Care Australia did not meet the standards it promised to its residents.
Lauren Meath, a senior associate at Echo Law, stated that the company consistently fell short of the minimum care benchmarks. She emphasised that residents and their families should expect safe and high-quality care, reflecting what Bupa has marketed and what the community and the law require. Unfortunately, this has not been the reality for those in Bupa’s care.
The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, conducted between 2019 and 2020, revealed alarming evidence of inadequate care in various aged care facilities, including those run by Bupa. Key findings highlighted systemic understaffing among for-profit providers and issues with maintaining an appropriate staffing skill mix—problems the current lawsuit alleges persist in Bupa’s homes today.
While acknowledging that front-line staff strive to deliver quality care, Meath pointed out the limitations they face due to corporate-level failures. Reports from Bupa have indicated widespread understaffing and an inability to meet legally mandated care standards across its facilities. The action alleges that these systemic issues compromise the well-being of residents.
The class action claims that Bupa has violated its contractual obligations to residents, as stated in their agreements, and has also breached consumer law. The lawsuit seeks damages for these breaches.
Bupa has been invited to respond to the allegations but has yet to offer a public comment. This legal challenge underscores significant concerns surrounding the aged care sector in Australia that echo the troubling findings from the Royal Commission.