After seeking interested parties for nearly 12 months, class action specialist Echo Law has launched proceedings against one of Australia's largest aged care providers on behalf of residents between 1 July 2019 and 11 April 2025.
Bupa Aged Care, which has 57 aged care homes across Australia, told The SOURCE they were notified of the class action on Monday 14 April 2025.
"Bupa received a claim from Echo Law this morning and we are currently taking some time to review the claim," a spokesperson said.
"Since 2019, we have invested in our people, our leadership teams and our model of care, and our quality and compliance outcomes reflect this," they said, declining to comment further as it is now a legal matter.
The allegation is that Bupa Aged Care:
- failed to provide staffing levels that would meet minimum acceptable standards in each of its aged care homes and by doing so has breached its contractual obligations to residents, and
- breached consumer guarantees under the Australian Consumer Law by failing to provide services that are fit for purpose and delivered with due care and skill.
"We consider that those Bupa aged care residents (or, where those residents have passed away, their estates) are entitled to compensation and that this legal action is an important step towards holding Bupa accountable, and improving the standard of care delivered in Bupa homes," Echo Law states on its website.
Echo Law is also pursuing class actions against other aged care providers.
Seven parties are required to commence a class action.
Last year, the Australian Nursing and Midwifery Federation NSW Branch wrote to Bupa Aged Care in a letter signed by nearly 400 staff calling for the aged care provider to address understaffing and adhere to mandated care minutes. Bupa Aged Care CEO Andrew Kinkade responded saying the provider was "doing our utmost to overcome the sector workforce shortages".
During the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, Bupa Aged Care featured in case studies related to care quality.
Echo Law did not respond to our questions. They are still accepting registrations for the Bupa Aged Care class action.
