Published date: 15 May 2024
The Australian Government 2024–25 Budget includes $2.2 billion to improve safe, quality aged care through:
- reinforcing the foundations and connections of quality aged care
- reducing wait times for older people seeking Home Care Packages
- bolstering the aged care workforce
- delivering an enhanced quality and safety regulator
- upgrading technology systems and digital infrastructure across the aged care sector.
The Budget will promote stronger links between aged care and health systems to ensure older people get the medical support they need in a safe, comfortable environment.
As part of the Strengthening Medicare package, states and territories will be supported to upskill residential aged care workers, and deliver outreach services, virtual care and complex care outside of hospital settings. The Transition Care Programme will be extended and reviewed to continue short-term care for older people recovering from a hospital stay.
Better dementia care will be delivered through investment in services and support for people with complex care needs, as well as readying the health system for new diagnosis and treatment advances.
The new Aged Care Act will put older people at the centre of aged care. It will also support the Government’s response to the Aged Care Taskforce to create a sustainable sector that delivers high quality care.
Read about the aged care reform priorities, or download the Underpinning quality aged care – Budget 2024–25 fact sheet.
Last updated date: 20 November 2024
