COTA Australia, the peak group for older Australians, has welcomed Senator Mitch Fifield’s comments
today confirming the Federal Government’s commitment to implement financial aged care reforms which give consumers choice and protections and will make the industry more viable.
The suite of aged care reforms now being implemented were based on recommendations from the
Productivity Commission and extensive consultation with older people and have bipartisan support.
The next phases of the reform package which begin on 1 July this year, include:
• aged care providers will receive greater levels of funding for accommodation, including freedom
to set accommodation fee levels, and access to lump sums for high care;
• residents will have a genuine choice of payment by lump sum bonds or daily payments, and choice
between providers who will now have to advertise all charges
“The next phase of reform that begins on 1 July is a significant next step towards addressing the problems of accessing aged care services in Australia,” COTA CE Ian Yates said today.
“The difficult decisions older people need to make when moving to residential aged care will be made
easier with the introduction of greater transparency on accommodation charges, with a mandatory
requirement for them to be publicly disclosed.
“Service providers will also need to set charges that better reflect the level of service provided, rather
than the current system where bonds are based primarily on the value of assets they hold.
“All these changes will add up to significant protection of older people’s rights and a more sustainable
aged care system for all,” Mr Yates said.
Mr Yates said these initiatives build upon the reforms introduced this year including the Age Care
Gateway – My Aged Care – to improve information and advice, the introduction of Consumer Directed Care in home care packages, and a boost over coming years in the number and proportion of home care
packages.
Once the 1 July reforms are bedded down the Minister has made clear that discussion of further
consumer focused and driven reform will be very much on the agenda, which we warmly welcome.
“I urge all the those in the aged care sector to now get behind the reform package for the benefit of older
Australians.”
Media contact: Ian Yates 0418 835 439, Jane Garcia 0434 489 533