MYEFO: Aged-care package to receive $87m boost
A peak lobby group says the risk of emergencies in the sector still ‘looms large’ in 2020.
The Morrison government’s aged-care package announced in response to the royal commission’s scathing interim report has received an $87m boost, but a peak lobby group says the risk of emergencies in the sector still “looms large” in 2020.
The mid-year budget update shows the government will provide $623.9m over four years to reform aged care, up from the $537m announced last month, with new funding largely due to administrative costs.
An assessment framework for those who need to access aged-care services will cost $31.5m over three years as it comes online from April 2021, while the operating costs to support the My Aged Care system will be $21.9m in the current financial year.
The Department of Health and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will receive $13.6m over two years to respond to requests from the royal commission, which found the system was in a shocking state of neglect that diminished Australia.
Another $11.4m will increase the department’s capability to monitor, identify and respond to failures in care and financial risks in the sector.
The new measures, which will be partially funded from within the department’s existing resources, were welcomed by aged-care groups but Leading Age Services Australia said that without extra direct investment for residential and home care, the sector remained vulnerable.
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