The Australian Federal Government has released the Aged Care Taskforce’s Final Report, an important next step towards delivering a sustainable aged care reform that provides high-quality care to all Australians now and in 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. The Government said it will continue to analyse this report and finalise its response to other recommendations.
The principles that guide the Government's 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.
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 forty years, it is clear we must start work now to deliver a sustainably funded aged care sector.
Already, the Albanese Government’s delivery in line with the recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission has made a significant change in residential aged care.
The Government has put nurses back into nursing homes, given carers more time to care, lifted wages in the sector and improved transparency and accountability.
However, it is clear there is more to reform.
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.
The Taskforce Report delivers 23 recommendations to improve the sustainability of aged care.
“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," said Wells.
“All of us have a stake in a sustainable, high-quality and dignified aged care sector – whether it’s for our parents, ageing loved ones, or even eventually for ourselves."
The government will carefully consider the recommendations of the report.
To read more about the latest developments in aged care, click here.
