Register For Our Mailing List

Register to receive our free weekly newsletter including editorials.

Home / 409

$17.7 billion aged care plan welcome but many will miss out

On Tuesday, 11 May while all eyes were on the Federal Budget, the Government released its response to the Final Report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.

The report details the response to the 148 recommendations of the commissioners in the form of a three-phase, five-year, five-pillar plan. The government has accepted (or accepted in principle) 126 of the recommendations, with the remaining recommendations subject to further consideration and six not accepted at all.

Importantly the plan also details how the investment of the $17.7 billion announced in the budget will be spent.

Among the six recommendations rejected is an aged care levy to fund the system and changes to the means testing arrangements that would have seen pensioners have their accommodation and cost of living met by the government. The recommendation to phase out lump sum Refundable Accommodation Deposits (RADs) is subject to further consideration and will form part of the reformed Residential Aged Care Accommodation framework which will also look at changes to accommodation design standards.

The big tickets in aged care

The big ticket items in the five-year plan include $6.5 billion for an additional 80,000 home care packages over the coming two years, almost $800 million to support 1.6 million informal carers through respite and payments, $3.9 billion to increase the care residents of aged care homes receive to 200 minutes per day including 40 minutes with a registered nurse.

In a move that will likely shake up the industry, $102 million will be spent on placing residential aged care places in the hands of senior Australians instead of residential aged care homes. There is also $200 million for a star rating system to better inform senior Australians and their families.

The need to attract and train aged care workers has seen the Government commit $652 million into the aged care workforce and tougher governance of the industry has seen the government provide $698 million.

Sadly, Recommendation 25 from the Final Report, which was set to revolutionise aged care through a single assessment and funding programme incorporating all home care and residential aged care services, providing funding based on the individual’s needs with flexibility and choice across providers was accepted in principle only.

In their response, the Government said that a new home care programme “will be designed to better target services to eligible senior Australians” and that “Senior Australians will also have more control and flexibility to select a residential aged care provider of their choice”.

Not available to all

This indicates there will be improvements to how the system operates, the level of choice and transparency and the amount of services that will be available for senior Australians. But unlike Medicare or the NDIS, aged care will still be a rationed system.

It’s hard not to be excited about a $17.7 billion plan for aged care but my excitement is tempered by the knowledge that the system that will provide greater choice, transparency and care for many will still see some senior Australians miss out. In his opening remarks Treasurer Josh Frydenberg referred to “Team Australia”, it would be great if “Team Australia” adopted the motto to “leave no senior Australian behind”.

 

Rachel Lane is the Principal of Aged Care Gurus where she oversees a national network of adviser dedicated to providing quality advice on retirement living and aged care. She is also the co-author of a number of books with Noel Whittaker including the best-seller “Aged Care, Who Cares?” and their most recent book “Downsizing Made Simple”. To find an adviser or buy a book visit www.agedcaregurus.com.au.

 

4 Comments
Name withheld
May 26, 2021

I am 68 years old. I am in remission from pancreatic cancer and Hodgkin lymphoma. I have an investment property. I get $550 per week from that property. I am not eligible for disability pension or pension card. My medical bills are high. My wife is force to keep on working because there is not enough money to pay the household bills and maintain a reasonable lifestyle. She gets $75k gross per annum. She applied for carer's allowance. It was rejected. She is 62 years of age. I have to care for myself. It is tough at times. Please advise.

Graham Hand
May 27, 2021

Hi, if you would like Rachel to refer you to an aged care specialist adviser, please drop us a line and we will forward your request to her. Firstlinks is not licensed for personal advice.

Peter Bayley
May 26, 2021

A close reading of the government's announcements and response to the Royal Commission will reveal some 'smoke & mirrors'. A substantial slice of the $17B will go into bureaucracy (three new bureaucratic structures) and compliance. With 60% of residential aged care operators presently losing money the additional money will help but the extent of additional micromanagement complaince is mind boggling. Talented managers are leaving the industry as they are fed up with bureaucratic rules and rigid and aggressive accreditation assessments. Aged care is now regulated more than hospitals.

asdf
May 28, 2021

Agree, I work in the industry. The micromanagement and compliance is costing at least 30% of any funding put in to Home care packages. eg. Fund holding 15% ; care planning 15% ; mark up on service provision 50%

 

Leave a Comment:

RELATED ARTICLES

What the Federal Budget means for you

We need hard conversations about frailty planning

Budget cash splash will do more harm than good

banner

Most viewed in recent weeks

Australian house prices close in on world record

Sydney is set to become the world’s most expensive city for housing over the next 12 months, a new report shows. Our other major cities aren’t far behind unless there are major changes to improve housing affordability.

The case for the $3 million super tax

The Government's proposed tax has copped a lot of flack though I think it's a reasonable approach to improve the long-term sustainability of superannuation and the retirement income system. Here’s why.

7 examples of how the new super tax will be calculated

You've no doubt heard about Division 296. These case studies show what people at various levels above the $3 million threshold might need to pay the ATO, with examples ranging from under $500 to more than $35,000.

The revolt against Baby Boomer wealth

The $3m super tax could be put down to the Government needing money and the wealthy being easy targets. It’s deeper than that though and this looks at the factors behind the policy and why more taxes on the wealthy are coming.

Meg on SMSFs: Withdrawing assets ahead of the $3m super tax

The super tax has caused an almighty scuffle, but for SMSFs impacted by the proposed tax, a big question remains: what should they do now? Here are ideas for those wanting to withdraw money from their SMSF.

The super tax and the defined benefits scandal

Australia's superannuation inequities date back to poor decisions made by Parliament two decades ago. If super for the wealthy needs resetting, so too does the defined benefits schemes for our public servants.

Latest Updates

Planning

Will young Australians be better off than their parents?

For much of Australia’s history, each new generation has been better off than the last: better jobs and incomes as well as improved living standards. A new report assesses whether this time may be different.

Superannuation

The rubbery numbers behind super tax concessions

In selling the super tax, Labor has repeated Treasury claims of there being $50 billion in super tax concessions annually, mostly flowing to high-income earners. This figure is vastly overstated.

Investment strategies

A steady road to getting rich

The latest lists of Australia’s wealthiest individuals show that while overall wealth has continued to rise, gains by individuals haven't been uniform. Many might have been better off adopting a simpler investment strategy.

Economy

Would a corporate tax cut boost productivity in Australia?

As inflation eases, the Albanese government is switching its focus to lifting Australia’s sluggish productivity. Can corporate tax cuts reboot growth - or are we chasing a theory that doesn’t quite work here?

Are V-shaped market recoveries becoming more frequent?

April’s sharp rebound may feel familiar, but are V-shaped recoveries really more common in the post-COVID world? A look at market history suggests otherwise and hints that a common bias might be skewing perceptions.

Investment strategies

Asset allocation in a world of riskier developed markets

Old distinctions between developed and emerging market bonds no longer hold true. At a time where true diversification matters more than ever, this has big ramifications for the way that portfolios should be constructed.

Investment strategies

Top 5 investment reads

As the July school holiday break nears, here are some investment classics to put onto your reading list. The books offer lessons in investment strategy, financial disasters, and mergers and acquisitions.

Sponsors

Alliances

© 2025 Morningstar, Inc. All rights reserved.

Disclaimer
The data, research and opinions provided here are for information purposes; are not an offer to buy or sell a security; and are not warranted to be correct, complete or accurate. Morningstar, its affiliates, and third-party content providers are not responsible for any investment decisions, damages or losses resulting from, or related to, the data and analyses or their use. To the extent any content is general advice, it has been prepared for clients of Morningstar Australasia Pty Ltd (ABN: 95 090 665 544, AFSL: 240892), without reference to your financial objectives, situation or needs. For more information refer to our Financial Services Guide. You should consider the advice in light of these matters and if applicable, the relevant Product Disclosure Statement before making any decision to invest. Past performance does not necessarily indicate a financial product’s future performance. To obtain advice tailored to your situation, contact a professional financial adviser. Articles are current as at date of publication.
This website contains information and opinions provided by third parties. Inclusion of this information does not necessarily represent Morningstar’s positions, strategies or opinions and should not be considered an endorsement by Morningstar.