LATEST NEWS
Quarterly Financial Snapshot
The Quarterly Financial Snapshot for Quarter 4 2023–24 (1 April to 30 June) is now available. The snapshot is informed by data submitted through the Quarterly Financial Report on financial indicators, care minutes, food and nutrition, and more. This snapshot ensures transparency about the sector, as well as helping people make informed choices regarding their care.
Home Care Package Subsidy Increase
The Home Care Package subsidy is being increased by 0.93% on 1 January 2025, to align with the Fair Work Commission’s Stage 3 decision. From 1 October 2025, the subsidy will increase again by 0.44%. These increases will help to cover the new award wages as well as maintain the same services for care recipients.
Share your Experience on Residential Aged Care Residents Accessing GP Care
Nous Group, with the support of COTA Australia, are engaging older people, their family members and their carers, to gain insight into the experience of accessing care from a GP while living in an aged care residential home. Responses from this survey will help Nous evaluate a new government program called the General Practice in Aged Care Incentive. The survey will close at 12.00pm on 19 December 2024. For further information about this project or the survey, please email [email protected].
The Advocacy Standards Project
The Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) and the Disability Advocacy Network Australia (DANA) have been working together to create a new Australian Standard specific to advocacy for aged care and disability. This project aims to strengthen and continuously improve advocacy.
Possible Change to Publishing of Home Care Wait Times
Home care wait times could be published every three months to ensure greater transparency in aged care. My Aged Care currently shows data on wait times of 12-15 months for a Level 4 Home Care Package, up to 12 months for a Level 3 package, 6-9 months for a Level 2 package, or 3-6 months for a Level 1 package.
Department of Health and Aged Care Annual Report 2023–24
The Department of Health and Aged Care’s 2023-24 Annual Report has been released. This report increases transparency of the Department’s activities throughout the financial year. The report reveals that two of the seven Ageing and Aged Care measurements have not been achieved. The areas where the Department fell short included the development of a ‘Quality of Life’ indicator, achieving care minute targets and increasing First Nations aged care service provision.
