MS Australia has long been a strong advocate for aged care reform because the system as it stands frequently fails to meet the needs of people living with disability who don’t have access to the NDIS.
But there is some good news. This month, the Australian Government announced a major reform package – encompassed in a new Aged Care Bill – that has many welcome changes. The Bill will introduce a new Aged Care Act and implement the recommendations of the Aged Care Royal Commission. This includes a long overdue ‘statement of rights’ for older people.
The Bill also introduced the new Support at Home program that will replace the Home Care Packages program from July next year.
The program will include significantly higher funding levels than the current packages and a price list to be set by the government based on Independent Health and Aged Care Pricing Authority (IHACPA) advice. This pricing list will cover the full cost of service delivery, including admin costs, and reduce the current high admin and management costs many participants currently pay.
The program will be complemented by a new separately funded Assistive Technology and Home Modifications program, which will include equipment loans through state and territory schemes. This is a significant enhancement for people living with MS and ensures that they won’t need to spend their valuable package funds on these important supports.
The Government will increase the number of packages available with the aim to reduce waiting times to three months from July 2027.
There will be a new arrangement where participants who choose to, can have more control over managing their package, and provide them with more autonomy from the current program.
There is also a much-welcomed, well-funded 12-week palliative care package to support people who want to die at home.
It’s not perfect, but it’s a significant leap forward from the current funding arrangements.
Further information on the reforms can be found here.
