Aged Care Applications -- 2008-2009: “Healthy and Competitive”

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3 January 2008

The Minister for Ageing, Mrs Justine Elliot has described the 2008-2009 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) applications as “healthy” and “competitive” with more than three times as many places sought in Victoria than places available.

“The figures speak for themselves. Nationally, the aged care sector has sought 12,857 places for 7,663 on offer. That is a 5,194 over-subscription,” Mrs Elliot said.

“Make no mistake, this is about preparing for Australia’s ageing population and making sure that there are both nursing homes and community care places available for our elderly.”

The Minister also rejected claims that there was a shortage of nursing home beds.

As of June 30, there were 2,830 nursing homes and hostels in Australia; 174,669 residential places; 46,475 community care places and 1,963 transition care places. There are 1,592 approved nursing home providers in Australia.

Over the next three years, the Rudd Labor Government would create more than 37,000 new aged care places. This builds on the 221,144 aged care beds and community care places already operational.

Mrs Elliot today released the preliminary 2008-2009 ACAR data showing the response in NSW, Victoria, South Australia and Queensland was extremely positive.

Aged Care Approvals Round 2008-2009 – preliminary data

State/Territory	Places Available	Places Sought
Victoria	1,486	5,368
NSW	2,106	3,251
Queensland	2,416	2,912
SA	123	601
WA	1,208	536
ACT	169	136
Tasmania	131	53
NT	24	0
TOTALS	7,663	12,857

Decisions on places are made independently by the Department of Health and Ageing. Assessments of the applications are underway and final decisions are expected by mid-year.

In relation to Tasmania and WA, the Australian Government has provided record Zero Real Interest Loans (ZRIL) to help nursing home providers. They are $16.070 million and $46.6 million for Tasmania and WA, respectively. Round Two of the ZRIL will target the NT.

Record funding
Over the next four years, funding for aged and community care will reach record levels of more than $41.6 billion -- with $29.5 billion of that on residential aged care alone.

This means that over the next four years, the Government will be providing an average of $43,000 for every aged care home resident in Australia.

Details: (02) 6277 7280 or Kathryn Conroy 0448 249 447