Essential poll finds high support for increased Government aged care funding

A new Essential Research poll has placed improving aged care funding at the top of Australians’ priority list for the Labor Government’s upcoming October Budget. 70% of the 1,075 people surveyed classed aged care quality as “important” or “very important”, with a further 23% saying it was “quite important”; this is a sharp jump from the next highest priority, reducing the national deficit, which was classed as “important” or “very important” by 58%. Aged care was deemed “not very” or “not at all” important by only 7% of respondents. Tim Hicks (pictured), General Manager Policy and Advocacy at Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA), said the research shows the broader Australian community is concerned about fixing the funding crisis in the aged care sector.

“Aged care funding is completely inadequate; it’s failing to keep pace with inflation and the cost of COVID-19 outbreaks, and it’s failing to deliver on our modern expectations of support and care. “The reality is too many aged care facilities and home care services are at risk of closing or a reduction of services. “It is clear that aged care workers need a significant pay rise now, but without additional support, aged care providers cannot attract more workers and realise improvements in the quality of care,” he said.

Tim called on the Federal Government to “seize the opportunity” in October to address workforce shortages and give financial support to help quality aged care homes and home care services stay sustainable over the long term.

“ACCPA would [like] an indexation adjustment to increase subsidies to providers included in the upcoming budget and urgent action for an independent aged care pricing authority, as recommended by the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety. “We are happy for there to be a link between this additional funding and spending, with many providers already spending substantially more than they get from government,” he said.

A UTS Aged Care Sector report in May found that more than 60% of aged care homes in Australia are operating at a loss.