AGED care in rural, regional and remote communities will be prioritised in a record breaking new aged care approval round announced by Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack and Aged Care Minister Ken Wyatt AM.
Mr McCormack and Mr Wyatt said the Australian Government would provide an additional 13,500 residential aged care places and 775 short-term restorative care places across the nation.
“This is the largest number of residential places to have been made available in a single ACAR and is an important part of our government’s $5b budget boost for aged care,” Mr Wyatt said.
A recent national consultation process invited a wide range of aged care stakeholders to highlight residential aged care needs and how these could be addressed.
Mr McCormack said the new ACAR would build on the government’s strong record of support for regional, rural and remote Australians.
“We are passionate about ensuring Australians have access to quality aged care services regardless of where they live, but we know regional, rural and remote communities face challenges compared with our cities,” Mr McCormack said.
“In addition, $60m for capital grants for aged care developments will also be made available as part of the 2018/19 ACAR.
“I am pleased regional, rural and remote areas will be prioritised through these grants, which encourage greater investment, more support and more employment in the areas of highest need.”
The ACAR application period is open for six weeks from July 2 to August 10.
Visit the Department of Health website for more information.
