Final Aged Care Taskforce report released

The Aged Care Taskforce’s Final Report has been released by the Australian Government.

This report is an important next step towards delivering a sustainable aged care system that provides high-quality care to all Australians now and into the future.

With the number of Australians aged 65 and over expected to more than double — and the number aged 85 and over to more than triple — over the next 40 years, it is clear that Australia must start working now to deliver a sustainably funded aged care sector.

Chaired by the Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells, the Aged Care Taskforce brought together representatives of older Australians, aged care providers and experts to consider the great unanswered question of the Royal Commission: how to sustainably fund aged care into the future.

After considering the evidence and meeting several times throughout 2023, the Taskforce has not recommended a new tax or levy to fund aged care.

The government confirmed it will not impose any increased taxes or a new levy to fund aged care costs or change to the means testing treatment of the family home for aged care. It will continue to analyse this report and finalise its response to the other recommendations.

The principles guiding the response to the Taskforce’s report are to deliver lasting and enduring reforms that will benefit not just those in and entering the system now, but Australians who rely on the system as they age in decades to come.

“Australia’s aged care system is under stress. There is universal acceptance that something must change in order to ensure all Australians can age with the dignity, safety and high-quality care they deserve,” Wells said.

“After spending their lives building up our country, we have a solemn responsibility as a nation to respectfully care for older Australians as they age.

“All of us have a stake in a sustainable, high-quality and dignified aged care sector — whether it’s for our parents, aging loved ones or even eventually for ourselves.”

The Taskforce Report delivers 23 recommendations to improve the sustainability of aged care. The government will be carefully considering the recommendations of the report.

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