Aged care is a significant aspect of our health care system—and, there are a range of Australian Government reforms and initiatives targeting the improvement of service delivery in the sector.
Living Longer Living Better
On 20 April 2012, the Australian Government launched a package of reforms aimed at building a better, fairer, more sustainable and nationally consistent aged care system. The Living Longer Living Better aged care reform package represents the commencement of a 10 year reform program to create a flexible and seamless system that provides older Australians with more choice, control and easier access to a full range of services.
The reforms give priority to providing more support and care in the home, better access to residential care, more support for those with dementia and strengthening the aged care workforce. They will be progressively implemented from 1 July 2012 to offer early benefits to consumers and providers but also to ensure a smooth transition and sufficient time to adapt and plan ahead of further reform. Detailed information and a copy of the reform strategies and plans are available from the
Department of Health and Ageing.
Council of Australian Government (COAG) initiatives
In early 2011, COAG made a commitment to various aged care reforms. Two COAG initiatives are of relevance to aged care: the National Health Reform Agreement and the 2010-2020 National Disability Strategy.
The National Health Reform Agreement finalised with government in August 2011, aims to develop a nationally consistent and better integrated aged care system. Under this agreement the Australian Government will be responsible for funding basic community care in most states and territories for people aged 65 years and over (50 years and over for Indigenous Australians). This represents a significant shift in funding arrangements with the potential to have a marked effect on service delivery and related reporting for aged care.
The 2010-2020 National Disability Strategy represents a commitment, by all Australian governments, to a unified, national approach to improving the lives of people with disability, their families and carers, and to providing leadership for a community-wide shift in attitudes.
For more information, see the COAG reform agenda.