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1 July Brings Increased Aged Care Funding, Better Access to Services and More Information for Australian Families

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1 July 2009

Australian Government changes introduced from today will benefit older Australians and the aged care industry by providing more information, better access to services and increased funding for more aged care places.

From today Australian families can access information on the quality and compliance of Australia’s 2,830 aged care homes.

By logging onto the Aged Care Australia website (www.agedcareaustralia.gov.au) older Australians and their families can search for aged care homes in their region and see if that home (in the last two years) has been the subject of a notice of non-compliance or has been subject to a sanction.

Minister for Ageing, Justine Elliot said: ”Choosing an aged care home can be one of the most difficult decisions older Australians and their families have to make.

“We are committed to making sure people have access to more information when they are choosing a nursing home.

“The website reflects what people have told the Government they want when it comes to aged care – improved transparency, accountability and information.

“While the overwhelming majority of Australia’s 3,000 nursing homes provide excellent care – when they don’t and action is needed this Government will act swiftly,” Minister Elliot said.

The other measures introduced today to increase access to care and funding for the sector are:

  • Legislative changes that will improve access to Aged Care Assessment Teams (ACATs) by reducing duplication in the current system;
  • $148 million funding increase as a result of the indexation of residential care subsidies and supplements; and
  • $347 million a year for 10,447 additional residential and community care places and grants under the Aged Care Approvals Round.

Over the four years the Rudd Government will invest a record amount of more than $44 billion in the aged and community care sector—no government has invested more.

For more information, contact Mrs Elliot's office on (02) 6277 7280

 

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