AUSTRALIA | In-home aged care has been supported by a AUD $440 million investment package as part of the Federal Government's reforms.
The Australian Government is investing more than AUD $440 million to support more older people to stay independent at home and in their communities for longer. This three-year investment adds to the AUD $4.3 billion Support at Home package announced in September.
Demand for entry-level aged care services under the Commonwealth Home Support Programme (CHSP) has continued to grow, including in regional and remote areas and First Nations communities.
The Department of Health and Aged Care recently ran two grant rounds to improve access to domestic assistance , allied health and therapy, community transport and home maintenance, as well as to expand culturally appropriate CHSP services for older First Nations people.
As a result, 116 new CHSP providers, including 18 First Nations organisations have been offered contracts to support delivery of services from 1 November 2024 to ensure more support is available when and where older people in Australia need them most.
Forty-one existing CHSP providers have been offered additional funding to boost the availability of their most in-demand services and expand their delivery across new Aged Care Planning Regions and service types.
In addition to this funding, the Government will provide an additional AUD $10 million in funding for CHSP providers to contribute to the costs of transitioning IT systems to comply with the new Aged Care Act from 1 July 2025. CHSP providers will be able to apply for up to AUD $10,000 through a grant opportunity. Further information is expected to be published in the coming weeks.
Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said that there will be new providers in every state and territory to support older people to access a range of services, including domestic assistance and allied health and therapy.
"Bringing on new CHSP providers to support more older First Nations people is part of the Government’s commitment to Closing the Gap and ensuring culturally safe and trauma-informed aged care,” she said.
Assistant Minister for Health and Aged Care, Ged Kearney said that Older Australians make the country what it is, and it was the younger generation’s turn to give back to them.
“A home is so much more than just a comfortable space: it’s memories, independence, security, identity. Older Australians deserve to stay in their homes for as long as possible. That’s why we’re announcing today’s investment,” said Kearney.
She added this investment demonstrated the Government’s ongoing commitment to ensurin aged care service provisions were holistic, safe and inclusive.
“Prioritising culturally appropriate aged care means a more inclusive, safe, and respectful experience for both elderly First Nations people and their families.”
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