AUSTRALIA | Expressions of interest are now open for the Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority's (IHACPA) cost collection.
The Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) is looking for additional residential aged care providers to expand their Residential Aged Care Cost Collection 2024–25.
Last year more than 100 residential aged care providers participated, giving valuable cost data information for IHACPA’s pricing advice to the Australian Government.
If your aged care home did not take part last year, express your interest to participate in their expanded cost collection.
IHACPA is particularly interested in hearing from homes providing care for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, rural and remote areas, specialised homelessness, government residential aged care, culturally and linguistically diverse groups, and specialised dementia care units.
The cost collection will run from March to August 2025, with expressions of interest ending on the 31st of August.
This announcement was made following a pledge from the Federal Government of another AUD 300 million as part of the second round of Aged Care reforms.
This funding will help ensure that older people can access quality and safe aged care services, regardless of where they live.
Grants can be used by residential aged care providers for a range of purposes – from upgrades, extensions and new builds to delivering purpose-built staff accommodation.
Providers located in all regional, rural and remote areas (MM 2 to 7) can apply. Grants are also available to help specialist providers build and improve services for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities in any location, including major cities (MM 1).
The Albanese Government has continued to invest funding at unprecedented levels to support providers outside of major cities to provide older people with more comfortable and modern amenities, more liveable spaces and more appropriate cultural care.
Last year, the government delivered AUD 385 million in funding under Rounds One and Two, which supported 128 infrastructure projects nationwide, mostly in regional, rural and remote locations.
Aged Care Minister Annika Wells said that the choice to enter residential aged care shouldn’t mean a choice to leave a community.
“Older people should be able to access the care they need, regardless of where they live or what services they need. This AUD 300 million funding package will improve access to quality aged care from the regions to the bush, and for older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities nationwide.”
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