Government Introduces Aged Care Legislation
Five bills were introduced into Parliament on 13 March 2013 which underpin the Australian Government’s $3.7 billion Living Longer Living Better aged care reforms.
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13 March 2013
Five bills will be introduced into Parliament on 13 March 2013 which underpin the Gillard Labor Government’s $3.7 billion Living Longer Living Better aged care reforms.
Minister for Ageing Mark Butler said the changes to the Aged Care Act 1997 are part of a 10-year plan to build a better, fairer, sustainable and nationally consistent aged care system to meet the challenges of the nation’s ageing population.
“The Government’s aged care reform plan will deliver more choice, easier access and better care for older Australians, their families and carers.” Mr Butler said.
“The reforms will replace an aged care system designed a quarter of a century ago and which is now ill-equipped to meet the needs of retiring baby boomers and their parents who are living longer and healthier lives.”
Key aspects of the reforms include:
- Consumer Directed Care packages rolled out nationwide providing people more control over the care they receive.
- $880 million in new funding for home care which will see the number of home support packages almost double from 60,000 to 100,000.
- Tailored care packages to people with dementia receiving home care, and new funding to boost dementia care.
- Increased funding to residential aged care with 30,000 new places over the next 5 years and $480 million for aged care homes to significantly upgrade their facilities.
- $1.2 billion to deliver higher wages, better conditions and more rewarding careers for the nation’s 350,000 aged care workers.
- A single gateway to all aged care services, to make them easier to access and navigate.
Mr Butler said the Government was seeking the support of the Opposition, Greens and Independents to pass the Bill through the House of Representatives.
“This package reflects what older Australians, their families and carers, and aged care providers have told us they wanted through extensive consultations, along with the valuable input of the Productivity Commission,” Mr Butler said.
“We will continue to work closely with older people, their families, carers and service providers as we build an aged care system built for the 21st century.”
For more information on the Living Longer Living Better aged care reforms please visit the Living Longer Living Better website.
For more information contact the Minister’s office on 02 6277 7280
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