Once in a generation change for aged care in Australia

Published 13th May 2021

This week, as part of the 2021-22 Budget, the Australian Government announced a $17.7 billion package of support for aged care in response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The reforms will deliver respect, care and dignity for senior Australians, and place a critical focus on the quality and safety of care.

The reforms will be centred around 5 pillars to be delivered over 5 years:

• Home care – supporting senior Australians who choose to remain in their home
• Residential aged care services and sustainability – improving and simplifying residential aged care services and access
• Residential aged care quality and safety – improving residential aged care quality and safety
• Workforce – supporting a growing and better-skilled care workforce
• Governance – new legislation and stronger governance.

What do the reforms mean for aged care workers and providers?

The reforms will grow a skilled, professional and compassionate aged care workforce, which will be the powerhouse of the Government’s reform agenda. There will be financial support for registered nurses and a focus on upskilling new and existing care workers.

Our aged care workforce will be a critical partner with Government in delivering the reforms.

There is additional funding to increase the amount of front line care for senior Australians in residential care through mandated care minutes. There will be 80,000 additional home care packages for those who choose to stay in their own home.

More information

We will keep you up to date as work progresses on these important reforms.

You can read more about the reforms at www.health.gov.au/aged-care-reforms.

You can also read the Australian Government’s response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety at www.health.gov.au/aged-care-royal-commission.

Source:
Unknown Author, 2021, Department of Health (https://www.health.gov.au/)