Helping hand: Gov establishes an Aged Care Transition Taskforce 

The Federal Government has announced that an Aged Care Transition Taskforce will be assembled to help the sector deliver its once-in-a-generation reforms. Anne Burgess AM, Chair of the Council of Elders and Member of the National Aged Care Advisory Committee, to chair the new taskforce.

Meanwhile, the government revealed there will be a new $10,000 grant for providers who need financial support to implement IT changes. Changes to the Home Care Package subsidy have also been shared. 

A new taskforce

With many providers voicing their concerns over the upcoming Aged Care Act transition period, the government’s decision to create an Aged Care Transition Taskforce should help to address many issues.

“I understand the sector will face challenges transitioning to a new aged care system but we are intent on helping the industry meet these challenges,” Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells said. 

“The Transition Taskforce will provide expert advice to government on the progress of implementation alongside oversight and stewardship to the sector.

“I have always said I am ambitious for aged care. I know the sector can meet this challenge with the Transition Taskforce troubleshooting concerns raised by providers.”

Although few details have been shared regarding the taskforce, Ms Burgess’ chair appointment ensures it will have experienced leadership. 

Fellow members will include consumer advocates, aged care providers, ICT specialists, primary and clinical care experts, and representatives from the Department of Health and Aged Care and Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission.

This includes Catholic Healthcare Chair and Catholic Health Australia Deputy Chair Steve Teulan.

No start date has been attached to the taskforce. The government will consider any advice shared by the transition taskforce to ‘ensure aged care reforms meet the challenges and opportunities of the coming decades’.

Extra support for IT transformation

Recent Senate Inquiry hearings allowed providers from across Australia to share their fears over the cost of aged care reform. 

Helping Hand CEO Christopher Stewart said it would cost roughly $6-8 million to upgrade their systems for Support at Home. Regis Aged Care said education alone would cost millions.

Smaller standalone providers such as Edenfield Family Care said their costs would not be as high but the proportionate expenses would still be a ‘significant cost for a small provider’. 

As per the government’s announcement on Monday, eligible providers can apply for up to $10,000 to assist with the costs of any IT changes needed to prepare for the July 1 Aged Care Act implementation date, pending parliamentary passage. 

The Department of Health and Aged Care is currently progressing arrangements for this grant opportunity, with further information expected to be published soon. 

Additionally, the department shared that the Home Care Package subsidy will increase by 0.93% on January 1 2025. The increase allows providers to pass on the Fair Work Commission Stage 3 decision to increase award wages for eligible workers.

A further 0.44% increase will be added on October 1 2025. This increase in the value of Home Care Packages will be sufficient to cover increased wages and ensure care recipients continue to receive the same care and services.

The department said providers must seek agreements from care recipients before adjusting their pricing models to reasonably increase charges for care and services. 

The Coalition is up for the fight

With the Aged Care Bill still requiring senate approval and just eight senate sitting days left for 2024, time is ticking. 

The Australian reported that the opposition party is also ‘demanding’ clear timelines for reforms and a commitment to never reduce aged care places.

Despite the recent senate standing committee also recommending the Bill be passed with no amendments, the opposition provided 32 recommendations for change. This suggests it is up for a fight in several key areas, with clarity around term definitions, timeframes, rules and regulations at the top of their list.

“The Coalition will be fighting for further amendments to reflect the important concerns raised through the inquiry process, including to ensure clear transition timelines, an education campaign to increase older Australians’ understanding of the changes, and ongoing opportunities for all Australians to have a say on the Government’s legislation,” Shadow Minister for Aged Care Anne Ruston told The Australian. 

Senate sitting dates are scheduled for the final two weeks of November.