News
3 October, 2024
Care reforms
The Federal Government has responded to the recommendations of the Aged Care Taskforce Report, announcing $4.9 billion in investments and structural reforms that will restore dignity to aged care for older Australians.
The package will ensure that government funding for aged care grows more sustainably, so that when people need it, dignified and high-quality residential aged care will be available.
The Federal Government will also invest $4.3 billion to roll out a new system of home care, called Support at Home, which will come into effect on 1 July 2025 and benefit up to 1.4 million older Australians.
The Support at Home program will reduce average wait times to just three months from 1 July 2027, and help people stay at home for longer with improved access to more tailored care, more support for home modifications, and faster access to supports like walkers and wheelchairs.
This is in addition to a new rights-based Aged Care Act 2024, and includes new laws to protect older Australians in aged care, introduce new rights, and strengthen quality standards.
The reforms have bipartisan support from the Coalition.
Federal Member for Blair, Shayne Neumann, welcomed the announcement, saying it supports the growing numbers of locals who are choosing to retain their independence and remain in their homes as they age.
“I know many older people in Ipswich, the Somerset Region and Karana Downs area want to live independently in their own home,” he said.
“The new Support at Home program will help make that possible and it will mean shorter wait times for people to receive help.
“But if the time comes when a person needs to move into residential care, they deserve to live in a comfortable space that meets their preferences and needs.
“I want to be clear that this is not about new taxes and it doesn’t change the treatment of the family home, but it does help us make room in the Federal Budget to ensure we can fund better services in the future.
“Also, a ‘no worse off ’ principle will provide certainty to people already in aged care, and they won’t have to make a greater contribution to their care.”