Ageing Australia welcomes the Federal Government’s $3 billion dollar commitment to aged care in the upcoming budget as a vital first step, with more work needed to cater to Australia’s surging ageing population.
The Hon Mark Butler MP, Minister for Health and Ageing announced today:
- New targeted capital subsidies for residential aged care, providing additional funding for supported residents for newly built or refurbished homes.
- An increase to the Accommodation Supplement.
- Structural changes to introduce new tiers, and additional payment for homes with more than 60% supported residents
The Government says the package will deliver an extra 5,000 beds a year.
“We welcome any investment in aged care that can provide more beds at a difficult time for the Australian economy,” Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said.
“We have highlighted time and time again, that additional investment into aged care cannot wait and beds do not build themselves. So we’re pleased that the government has heeded these warnings and pushed some of the outcomes of the accommodation review forward.”
“Whilst today’s announcement is a good start, we have been very clear with government that much more will be needed if we’re going to build 10,000 additional beds each and every year over the next two decades. In addition, need to make sure that existing beds don’t close.”
“The $5 increase for existing beds announced today is less than half the $13 gap between current funding and the cost of providing accommodation. And the need is urgent. To put it into perspective, last year instead of 10,000 beds, we built only 800.”
“Even now we’re showing strains on the system with residential aged care sitting at about 94% capacity nationally, and in many capital cities, that number is 100%. More and more homes are putting up the no vacancies sign every day.”
Ageing Australia also welcomes the Government’s commitment of $200 million for 20 additional Specialist Dementia Care Program units and an expansion of the Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support Program.
The Government has also promised to release more Support at Home Packages, with details to follow in the federal budget.
“At last count more than 200,000 Australians were waiting for a package or waiting just to be assessed, so we eagerly await the Government’s announcement.”
Media contact: Peter O’Dempsey 0499 106 957 or
About Ageing Australia: Ageing Australia is the national organisation representing all providers of aged care and housing to older Australians.
