PEAK BODY, the Catholic Health Australia, has submitted its pre-budget requests to the Federal Government, calling for reforms to the Aged Care Act to ensure those in financial hardship can access safe aged care services, and increased funding to Broken Hill.
CHA, which represents 350 aged care facilities, said it is concerned people in financial hardship may fall through the cracks and not be able to access quality care under the new Aged Care Act.
In the submission, the CHA also requested the Federal Government increase funding to services in high-cost rural areas and remote townships, listing Broken Hill and Kalgoorlie as areas in-need.
The Aged Care Act 2024 will start on Tuesday, July 1, 2025, with the CHA worrying the new Act’s changes do not offer an adequate safety net for financially disadvantaged people in-need of care.
CHA chief executive Jason Kara said the news of the new reforms are welcome, however more work needs to be done to ensure aged care is accessible for everyone.
“We must keep working to ensure that aged care remains accessible for everyone, not just those with the deepest pockets,” he said.
“We are concerned the current safety nets in place are inadequate and will potentially see thousands of disadvantaged people miss out on the care they need.”
The pre-budget submission is also urging the government to boost the accommodation supplement, which is in place so aged care providers can help residents who have financial difficulties.
Mr Kara said the current supplement simply does not cover costs.
He is referring to the current maximum supplement of $69.49 per day, in comparison to the alleged actual cost of providing aged care accommodation, which the CHA states is an average of $114.79 per day.
“Without an increase, aged care providers will be unable to sustain quality residential care for low-means older Australians,” he said.
