Sun Feb 10

Aged care package to support older Australians

Written by Scott Morrison

New $662 million aged care package to support older Australians

The Morrison Government is making a further significant investment in aged care, with $320 million for residential aged care and an additional 10,000 home care packages across all levels as part of a new $662 million package to support older Australians.

The $320 million residential aged care component equates to approximately $1,800 per permanent resident and will provide additional support to the sector, over the next 18-months, to deliver quality aged care services while the Government considers longer-term reform funding options.

It builds on the existing enhancements to the viability supplement and homelessness supplement and the $50 million investment to support the transition to the new quality standards.

Prime Minister Scott Morrison said looking after older Australians was the Government’s top priority.

“We need to have a culture of respect and care and that’s why I announced the Royal Commission into Aged Care. It’s why as Prime Minister and Treasurer I have delivered thousands of additional home care places,” the Prime Minister said.

“These places give older Australians the choice about how and where they want to live their lives.

“Older Australians have worked hard all their life, paid taxes and done their fair share, and they deserve our support.

“While we are delivering record aged care funding, Bill Shorten is raiding the savings of almost 1 million retirees.”

This new $662 million investment aims to help speed up access to home care and ensure older Australians receive safe, high-quality services when and where they need them.

It will increase aged care access and further strengthen safety, quality and transparency and allow older Australians to live in their home longer and stay independent.

This latest funding will boost aged care through:

$282.4 million for 10,000 home care packages across all levels
A $320 million general subsidy boost in 2018-19 to benefit senior Australians receiving residential aged care services from increased support for aged care providers
A $4.2 million mandatory national aged care quality indicator program
$7.7 million to enhance the safety, quality and integrity of home care
$35.7 million to increase home care supplements for dementia and cognition and veterans
A $4.6 million trial of a new residential care funding tool to replace the Aged Care Funding Instrument
A new $7.4 million business advisory service for both residential and home care providers to help them improve their operations and share best practice.

Health Minister Greg Hunt said this new aged care funding boost would provide more services and security.

“Older Australians deserve the best care and support and our Government is delivering choice,” Minister Hunt said.

“This funding ensures our older Australian have the support they need to live in their homes longer or provide significant support for the residential aged care sector.”

Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt said the Liberal and Nationals Government was delivering record aged care funding.

“Under the Liberal and Nationals Government, aged care funding is increasing by about $1 billion each year,” Minister Wyatt said.

“This is about more choices for a longer life – giving older Australians more aged care options and the capacity to live independently for as long as possible.”

The mandatory national aged care quality indicator program for residential care includes an indicator on the use of physical restraint in line with our commitment to better regulate chemical and physical restraint in aged care.

This latest investment builds on our Government’s $552 million aged care boost in the December MYEFO, which included 10,000 high level home care packages, reduced home care fees, increased viability supplements for residential aged care, and a $98 million fee incentive for doctors visiting aged care homes.

Thanks to our Government’s strong economic management, in the past year we have announced 40,000 new home care packages and $115 million to grow the Commonwealth Home Support Program.

Unlike Labor, we are committed to funding this crucial support to those most in need. Our funding of $19.8 billion in 2018-19 is almost $6.5 billion more than Labor provided in its last full financial year (2012-13).