Extract from the Australian Government Department of Social Services:
www.dss.gov.au/our-responsibilities/ageing-and-aged-care/aged-care-reform
Our aged care system touches the lives of millions of Australians.
- More than one million people receive aged care services, with over half a million people receiving support at home
- There are around 2.7 million unpaid carers, many of whom are family members
- The system employs around 350,000 aged care staff across approximately 2,100 aged care providers
- Millions of Australians already have a loved one receiving aged care services or are thinking about their own or someone else’s needs right now.
The Australian Government is committed to providing a sustainable system that supports older people who need care. Australia’s population is ageing rapidly and our current aged care system needs to change to keep up with future demand.
To address the limitations of our current aged care system and ensure it’s the best possible system for Australians – now and into the future – we are reforming the aged care system.
Reforms are being implemented progressively this will give consumers more choice, easier access and better care. It will also build a better and more sustainable aged care system.
Reforms commenced in 2012, with the first major changes implemented on 1 July 2013.
The second round of significant changes will commence from 1 July 2014. These changes include:
- Income testing arrangements for home care packages
- Changed means testing in residential aged care
- New accommodation payments arrangements for residential aged care
- Removal of the distinction between high and low care in residential care
- Expansion of the Australian Aged Care Quality Agency
More information about aged care reform can be found from the following links: