Minister’s Column

MULTI-BILLION DOLLAR AGENDA FOR CHANGE

MORRISON GOVERNMENT’S COMMITMENT TO AGED CARE REFORM

Senator the Hon. Richard Colbeck Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services

Ayear since the tabling of the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, the Morrison Government has taken significant steps in the reform of the sector.

The framework and platform for change has been set. The plan is in place and the sector can now expect to see tangible action from the largest reform package of its kind in history. The Government has already made significant progress under the five pillars of reform, including a 32 per cent increase in the number of direct care workers in residential care, improved nutrition through the Basic Daily Fee supplement, expansion of the National Aged Care Advocacy Program and improved access to quality aged care services in rural and remote areas.

As we have said from the start, our five-year plan will provide a generational shift in the way care is delivered—an emphasis on catering to the individual needs of residents and ensuring support for those who offer care.

Change of this magnitude needs diverse input and collaboration across the sector and the community—and so we express our gratitude to those who have contributed so far.

The establishment of the National Aged Care Advisory Group and the Council of Elders is another important mechanism to ensure the reforms hit the mark.

The needs of senior Australians, their families and carers remain at the heart of this rebuild and these two groups will ensure the implementation of reform strikes the correct balance.

Our financial commitment is now more than $18.3 billion to fund this agenda for change across home care, residential care, quality and safety, workforce and governance. We have also addressed serious concerns around the use of chemical and physical restrictive practices in our age care homes.

Minister Colbeck speaking with residents at a retirement and aged care home in Sydney during a recent visit.

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Importantly, the introduction of the Australian National Aged Care Classification (AN-ACC)—a model that will offer a more equitable distribution of funding across the sector—will also be a game changer.

The new funding model, along with the establishment of the new Independent Hospital and Aged Care Pricing Authority, are part of legislation currently before Parliament (The Aged Care and Other Legislation Amendment Royal Commission Response Bill.2).

It will include an assessment of the cost of delivery of care which will then be recommended to Government and will incorporate the important issue of workforce support and wages.

Importantly, as our response to the pandemic continues, in February the Prime Minister announced the government will pay a bonus of up to $800 to aged care workers.

This builds on the previous three bonus payments in 2020 totalling $600 million, and recognises the dedication and hard work of aged care workers. Additionally, a $148.7 million investment will see registered nurses across the sector rewarded for working for the same aged care provider over a six or 12-month period.

The payment acknowledges the clinical skills and leadership of registered nurses in aged care, particularly during such a challenging time.

The next stage of the reforms is underway including the draft legislation of a new Aged Care Act; quality of life indicators; the new support at home program; innovative, dementia-friendly accommodation design; and dementia education and training.

More broadly, every year under the Liberal Nationals Government, home care packages are up, residential care places are up and aged care funding is up.

The Morrison Government has listened to the concerns and hopes of older Australians and their families and is acting to ensure a stronger future for the sector and quality care for our loved ones. ■

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