Adult Safeguarding Unit Code of Practice and Charter of Rights and Freedoms

Tell us what you think about proposed updates to the Adult Safeguarding Unit Code of Practice (the code) and Adult Safeguarding Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the charter).

The code describes how the Adult Safeguarding Unit fulfils its legislative functions, which include receiving and responding to reports about adults who are at risk of abuse.

The charter outlines the rights and freedoms of adults when engaging with the Adult Safeguarding Unit.

Proposed updates to the code and charter incorporate recent amendments to the Ageing and Adult Safeguarding Act 1995 that commence on 1 July 2026.

Background

The abuse of anyone is unacceptable and cannot be justified.

The Adult Safeguarding Unit provides the community with an approachable, empowered body with responsibility and accountability for receiving and responding to reports of actual or suspected abuse of adults at risk of harm.

Amendments to the Ageing and Adult Safeguarding Act 1995 made by the Ageing and Adult Safeguarding (Review Recommendations) Amendment Act 2025 commence operation on 1 July 2026. The amendments were made following an independent review of the Act conducted by the South Australian Law Reform Institute.

The proposed updates to the Code of Practice and Charter of Rights and Freedoms support the implementation of the new laws by:

  • setting out how the Adult Safeguarding Unit will fulfil its new and strengthened legislative functions, and
  • outlining the rights and freedoms of adults who may be vulnerable to abuse that the Adult Safeguarding Unit is guided by, and seeks to uphold, when carrying out its role and functions.

We want to hear from

  • older adults
  • adults with disability
  • those with relevant lived experience
  • carers, families, supporters and advocates
  • service providers and
  • interested members of the community.

Find out more about how you can get involved

Have your say by

Office for Ageing Well, PO Box 196, Rundle Mall ADELAIDE SA 5000

If you have any questions or require support to participate in the feedback process, please contact Office for Ageing Well by phoning 08 8204 2420.

What are the next steps?

We will consider all feedback to finalise the updated Adult Safeguarding Unit's Code of Practice and Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The updated Code and Charter will commence on 1 July 2026 to support the new laws and will be published on the DHS Ageing Well webpage.

Tell us what you think about proposed updates to the Adult Safeguarding Unit Code of Practice (the code) and Adult Safeguarding Charter of Rights and Freedoms (the charter).

The code describes how the Adult Safeguarding Unit fulfils its legislative functions, which include receiving and responding to reports about adults who are at risk of abuse.

The charter outlines the rights and freedoms of adults when engaging with the Adult Safeguarding Unit.

Proposed updates to the code and charter incorporate recent amendments to the Ageing and Adult Safeguarding Act 1995 that commence on 1 July 2026.

Background

The abuse of anyone is unacceptable and cannot be justified.

The Adult Safeguarding Unit provides the community with an approachable, empowered body with responsibility and accountability for receiving and responding to reports of actual or suspected abuse of adults at risk of harm.

Amendments to the Ageing and Adult Safeguarding Act 1995 made by the Ageing and Adult Safeguarding (Review Recommendations) Amendment Act 2025 commence operation on 1 July 2026. The amendments were made following an independent review of the Act conducted by the South Australian Law Reform Institute.

The proposed updates to the Code of Practice and Charter of Rights and Freedoms support the implementation of the new laws by:

  • setting out how the Adult Safeguarding Unit will fulfil its new and strengthened legislative functions, and
  • outlining the rights and freedoms of adults who may be vulnerable to abuse that the Adult Safeguarding Unit is guided by, and seeks to uphold, when carrying out its role and functions.

We want to hear from

  • older adults
  • adults with disability
  • those with relevant lived experience
  • carers, families, supporters and advocates
  • service providers and
  • interested members of the community.

Find out more about how you can get involved

Have your say by

Office for Ageing Well, PO Box 196, Rundle Mall ADELAIDE SA 5000

If you have any questions or require support to participate in the feedback process, please contact Office for Ageing Well by phoning 08 8204 2420.

What are the next steps?

We will consider all feedback to finalise the updated Adult Safeguarding Unit's Code of Practice and Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The updated Code and Charter will commence on 1 July 2026 to support the new laws and will be published on the DHS Ageing Well webpage.

Page published: 05 Jan 2026, 09:30 AM