Funding, workforce changes among top pre-Budget priorities

The Aged & Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA) said sustainable funding and changes to workforce are key elements of aged care reform requiring attention in the 2023 federal Budget.

In its pre-Budget Submission, ACCPA proposes 15 recommendations under six priority areas.

ACCPA CEO Tom Symondson said it is crucial the Budget, handed down in May, address funding designed to improve the lives of older people in Australia with seamless delivery of services no matter where they live.

“Seven out of 10 aged care providers are operating at a loss and the situation appears to be worsening. We need a considered debate on how we fund aged care into the future including the possibility of consumer co-contributions for those who can afford it,” Symondson said.

“We need to find a way of protecting access for those who can least afford to pay for their care, while supporting a sustainable aged care sector.

“There are some immediate funding issues the government can address in this Budget such as implementing the indexation increase for all forms of aged care to catch up with the Royal Commission’s recommendation from two years ago.

“This would be followed by ongoing indexation from 1 July 2023 to fully cover CPI increases.”

ACCPA also recommends an $853 million injection into the Home Care Program to clear the waiting list for 2023–24 ahead of the home care program, which commences in July 2024.

Additional funding is also recommended to support residential aged care providers to meet the mandated target of 215 minutes of daily care for residents from October 2023.

Symondson said the recommendations in ACCPA’s submission focused on what can be established or ‘seeded’ in the coming year so that a positive impact on the lives of older people can be realistically achieved.

“ACCPA is committed to a collaborative approach, working in partnership with government, consumers, aged care workers and providers to develop solutions to the considerable challenges facing Australia’s aged care sector,” Symondson said.

ACCPA priority areas for reform are:

• Ensuring a long-term sustainable funding system.
• Funding to improve the lives of older people in Australia, across the whole country.
• Delivering seamless aged care for older Australians in their communities, their homes and residential care if they need it.
• Planning for aged care reform success.
• Ensuring aged care for where you live, when you need it and how you need it.
• Solving the workforce crisis to ensure the best care.
   

“Our older people are to be cherished and supported as they age. We want to work to ensure they can live their best lives. It’s what they deserve,” Symondson said.

Image credit: iStock.com/sommart