Ageing Australia is calling on the Federal Government to ensure older Australians and aged care workers are prioritised in the national response to fuel price increases and fuel shortages.
Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said access to fuel is critical to maintaining essential aged care services, particularly for older people receiving care at home and in regional and remote communities.
“Aged care workers can’t deliver care if they can’t get to work or an older person’s home. If fuel access is disrupted, so is care, it’s that simple,” Mr Symondson said.
“And with fuel prices now sky high, we are already seeing an increase in workers not taking up shifts as they struggle to pay for the fuel needed to get to work. And that’s before you consider the massive increase in cost for providers to pay for work travel – with some reporting their monthly fuel bill has increased by 50% or more already.
“With fuel pumps, particularly in rural and remote areas, running dry and increased talk of potential rationing measures, we must prioritise aged care or we risk leaving older Australians without critical support. This is an essential service and it must be treated like one.”
Ageing Australia has been engaging with the Australian Government as well as state and territory governments over the past three weeks and will continue to advocate for urgent, targeted support.
Ageing Australia has put forward a comprehensive policy response, informed by member data and sector-wide analysis, outlining the growing impact of fuel costs on providers, workers and older Australians.
Proposed measures include prioritised access to fuel for aged care providers and workers, exemption from any rationing measures, if imposed, and targeted financial support for providers and their workers to manage the huge increase in the cost of fuel and to maintain services across the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP), Support at Home and residential aged care.
Mr Symondson said timely government action is essential to ensure continuity of care.
“While we understand the Fuel Supply Taskforce was only announced last week and that a second National Cabinet meeting next week. We need a response that is fast, practical and easy to implement. This is about keeping services running and ensuring older Australians are not left behind,” he said.
“Providers are already under pressure, with many losing money and demand for services through the roof. Rising fuel costs – particularly in regional and remote areas – are adding another layer of strain. Without support, there is a real risk of service disruption. We want to avoid a rerun of the sector’s experience in the early days of COVID, where we saw hospitals and their staff designated as essential services and aged care left to fend for itself.”
Ageing Australia will continue to work with governments to secure a coordinated response that protects the viability of the sector and ensures older Australians continue to receive the care they need.
Media contact:
Najma Sambul 0499 106 957
About Ageing Australia:
Ageing Australia is the national organisation representing providers of aged care and housing for older Australians.
