Australia’s aged care sector has been neglected for too long. This Budget takes the first steps to deliver on reforms to ensure older Australians in care are treated with the respect they deserve with a $3.9 billion package of reforms.
• The Albanese Government will mandate the number of care minutes residents receive – starting with 200 care minutes including 40 nursing minutes from 1 October 2023, and 215 care minutes including 44 nursing minutes from 1 October 2024. Aged care homes will receive more funding to deliver on our promise to provide more care minutes to residents. In addition, from 1 July 2023 all aged care homes must have a registered nurse on site 24/7. These commitments will be met with a combined investment of $2.5 billon.
• Aged care residents will also have access to better food, with the Maggie Beer Foundation funded to educate and train staff to meet new nutritional standards ($5m).
• Older people in care will experience a strengthened and professional aged care workforce. A new national registration scheme for personal care workers will include a code of conduct, ongoing training and English proficiency ($3.6m). Continuity of care will also be improved by requiring providers to preference direct employment.
Read more: