A class action has been launched today against aged care provider Bupa over allegations it provided poor quality services at its residential homes.

The Federal Court lawsuit alleges that between July 2019 and April 2025, Bupa Aged Care Australia’s homes failed to deliver the standards promised to residents.

Lauren Meath, senior associate from Echo Law in Melbourne, says the healthcare company “regularly and consistently” failed to meet minimum acceptable benchmarks for care.

“Aged care residents and their families should be able to trust that they will receive safe and high‑quality care when entering aged care.

“The experience should match what is promised and marketed by Bupa, and what is expected by the Australian community and at law. Sadly at Bupa that has not been the case.”

The Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety in 2019-2020 heard evidence of “unacceptably high levels of substandard care” in the aged care system, including in facilities owned and operated by Bupa.

Among its findings, the commission highlighted systemic understaffing at for-profit aged care providers and failures in providing the correct staffing-skill mix.

The lawsuit alleges failures in these areas continue today at Bupa aged care homes.

“We know that staff on the floor are doing their best to provide safe and high-quality care. But individual nurses, care workers and support staff can only do so much,” said Meath.

“Bupa’s own reporting confirms widespread understaffing and failures to meet the minimum acceptable level of care required under Australian law at each of its aged care facilities.

“These are systemic failures at the corporate level and at the expense of residents.” 

The class action alleged Bupa breached the contractual obligations it owes to residents under its resident agreements, and contravened guarantees under consumer law.

The lawsuit is seeking to recover damages for breach of contract.

Bupa has been contacted by 9news.com.au for comment.