‘Significant slippage’: Labor told to act urgently on delays in aged care reform

The timetable for two of the most critical aged care reforms proposed by the royal commission, a new act and streamlining in-home care, have suffered ‘significant slippages’, the aged care overseer has warned.

Aged care reforms must not be allowed to let slip, acting Inspector-General of Aged Care Ian Yates says.​

Progress on key aged care reforms including legislating a new act and streamlining in-home care has suffered “significant slippages” and the Albanese government must act now to ensure they don’t fall further behind schedule, the nation’s new independent aged care overseer has warned.

In his first report since being appointed in January, Interim Inspector-General of Aged Care Ian Yates also flags support for more personal co-contributions to the cost of both in-home and nursing home care from people who can afford it.

The progress report on the implementation of the aged care royal commission’s recommendations notes “significant progress” had been made on a range of reforms such as 24/7 nursing care in residential aged care homes, a star rating system for nursing homes, and better pay for care staff – but it called out delays in critical areas.

“A number of foundational recommendations which will underpin the future aged care system are still in progress, in particular the new Support at Home Program, and the new Aged Care Act,” the report reads.

“Whilst there has been meaningful progress and a large volume of work undertaken to implement these recommendations, there have been some significant slippages. It would be very concerning for overall reform progress if there were further delays.”

Mr Yates said more work was needed for the Albanese government to meet its target of enacting the new legislation by July 1 next year. “It’s critical the target is met, because around 50 recommendations from the royal commission depend on that act,” he told The Australian in his first interview since taking up his role. “It is the foundation stone of a better aged care system.”

Mr Yates said his other major concern was the delay to mid-2025 in standing up the new home care program, which would amalgamate a number of existing in-home funding streams as well as support for home modifications.

The government has said it will prioritise in-home care given Australians’ increasing determination to remain in their own homes as long as possible.

“The royal commission timetable for this was mid-2024,” Mr Yates said. “The government pushed it back to mid-2025, but there are critical system changes that must be in place by mid-next year to make that achievable. This is a high priority.”

The age care royal commission provided its final report to the federal government in February 2021, with co-commissioner Tony Pagone calling out the parlous state of the sector. “The extent of substandard care in the current aged care system is unacceptable, deeply concerning, and has been known for many years,” he said.

Acting Inspector-General of Aged Care Ian Yates. Picture: AAP

The commission made 148 recommendations for change, many of which have been accepted. The role of Inspector-General of Aged Care was one recommendation.

In June, Aged Care Minister Anika Wells commissioned his ­office to deliver a progress report on delivery of the commission’s recommendations.

The report was presented last week to the Aged Care Taskforce, which she chairs, and which is examining further aged care reforms including how one of the federal government’s most costly spending programs, currently $32bn a year, can be sustainably funded.

It notes that while future funding policy is a decision for the government, there was a case for greater co-contributions by those older people who can afford it.

Mr Yates said aged care funding had to be adequate to ensure an appropriate level of care for older Australians, and it was “quite appropriate for people with means to contribute to that”.