Reform

The debate over “two-tiered” dining in aged care isn’t new, but it is resurfacing with sharper edges. As expectations rise and funding constraints persist, providers are navigating a delicate balance between offering choice and preserving dignity. The real issue isn’t whether premium options should exist, but how to deliver them in a shared living environment without creating division at the table.

IHACPA has opened a national consultation seeking feedback from providers, workers and consumers to inform pricing advice for the Australian Government’s Support at Home program.

Advocates and GPs remind policymakers that home visit care is central to preventative healthcare strategy. Reducing hospital and RAC strain must be a key focus for the budget ahead.

Australian experts urge caution over AI promises to ‘fix’ aged care. Extensive review into “agetech” companies and marketing message finds troubling results.

The Federal Government has extended the first-quarter claiming deadline under Support at Home from 60 to 90 days following advocacy from Catholic Health Australia, responding to provider concerns about administrative pressure during reform implementation.

Small-town Pyramid Hill in Victoria responded to its aged care facility closing down by rising up. Advocates and experts say this has lessons for how the Federal government should approached aged care management and reform.

Messaging from peak body at industry conference shows rising frustration by provider heads surrounding incomplete and late reform.

Government policy has consequences, aged care expert Hal Swerissen says, current state of sector has been thirty years in the making. Solutions need government humility to listen to solutions from those that have done the time on the ground.

While bulk-billing rates are up, Grattan Institute experts share that the bigger picture has been missed. Multidisciplinary care must be supported to have cross-sector lasting impact.

As aged care providers shift from bundled additional services to higher everyday living, predictable revenue structures are giving way to individual opt-in variability. Without stronger operational visibility, revenue erosion can occur quietly and incrementally.