The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) has welcomed the Federal Government’s $36 billion investment towards aged care reform in the 2023 Budget.
“We are pleased to see the continued commitment to a rights-based approach as we build towards a new Aged Care Act, and that it will contain a statement of rights,” says OPAN CEO, Craig Gear.
“But importantly, those rights are needed now, need to be enforceable, and deliver restorative justice.”
This budget funds the important reforms that are urgently needed to deliver better aged care services to older Australians, including:
New Aged Care Act (Rights)
Development and delivery of a Bill for a new Aged Care Act and associated ICT changes – $81.9 million over 3 years.
Nutrition
$12.9 million for better nutrition including a dedicated Food, Nutrition and Dining (FND) Advisory Support Unit established within the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC).
Workforce
Aged care workers will receive their largest ever pay rise, with the Government investing $11.3 billion to fund the Fair Work Commission’s interim decision for a record 15% pay increase.
First Nations
An interim First Nations Aged Care Commissioner will be appointed ($1.6 million).
Home care/Support at Home
An additional 9,500 home care packages will be made available in 2023-24 ($166.8 million), to meet the growing preference for older people to continue to live independently in their own home.
$2.5 billion to in-home aged care by increasing Home Care Packages (HCP) funds and additional grant funding for Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP).
Residential care
$126 million investment to enhance the Star Ratings system.
Aged care recipients will have greater choice and control in decision making with $41.3 million in funding (over 4 years) for systems that will assign residential care places to people, not providers.
