the Aged Care Today magazine featured articles

Despite repeated requests from Ageing Australia and the broader sector, critical information is still not available and the timeframes are now impossible. This is a disappointing outcome, particularly for the older Australians who rely on these services, but with a newly sworn-in government, there are also fresh hopes for continued progress.

In a portfolio shake-up, the Hon. Mark Butler MP takes up a new role as Minister for Disability and the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) while continuing as Minister for Health and Ageing, and the former Minister for Aged Care, the Hon Anika Wells MP, has moved to the portfolio of Minister for Communications, while retaining her portfolio as Minister for Sport. In Minister Wells’ place is the Hon. Sam Rae MP who has been appointed Minister for Aged Care and Seniors. Minister Rae was previously secretary of the Victorian Labor Party, he has been a partner at PwC, a policy advisor in the forestry sector, and a parliamentary staffer. Elected to parliament in 2022, this is his first ministerial position, and he is ready to hit the ground running.

Against a backdrop of ongoing landmark reforms and transformational change in the aged care sector, Minister Rae has been appointed at a critical time. We are pleased to say Ageing Australia has immediately begun lobbying both Minister Butler and Minister Rae for some important commitments in relation to the new legislation. Our key asks are:

• a staged approach to implementation
• much-needed transition funding
• consideration of extensive feedback provided by Ageing Australia on the draft rules and implementation of our recommendations
• a commitment to support funding viability and sustainability, including addressing challenges around financial and prudential standards, care management fees, higher everyday living fees, payroll tax, clinical care for in-home care and reviewing the residential accommodation supplement.

Transitions is not the only focus for our aged care ministers. Australia needs a compliance system that protects older people, without burdensome red tape that does not improve outcomes. There are still challenges in the interface between aged care and the health and hospital systems. There is a need to address wait times, streamline assessments, improve harmonisation between aged care and the NDIS, enhance access to palliative care and address medicines shortages.

Aged care is still in a workforce crisis, and the government will need to take a long-term approach to this issue. Australia must have a skilled workforce comprised of individuals who are passionate about the aged care sector, and who are proud to turn up to their shifts to make a difference in the lives of older people. Ageing Australia is calling for a national care workforce strategy, and we have provided the government with a range of proposals that will boost our domestic workforce, grow career pathways and ensure our migration pathways for international workforce are fit-for-purpose.

Ultimately, we want our government to take a long-term view, which supports sustainability, facilitates innovation and outlines a clear strategy for how our nation will manage the demand for services in an ageing nation. This means making sure we have the housing settings right, to enable people to age in place with appropriate services and support for independent living, to make adequate allowances for older people at risk of homelessness, and to support investment in the growing retirement living sector. It means making sure that diverse residential care services can be there for those who need it. It means making sure aged care services are not just surviving, but thriving.