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The Advertiser
a day ago
- Health
- The Advertiser
More aged care workers promised but data exposes dire demand pressures
More funding is set to pay for more aged care workers in regional areas but data analysis reveals it won't be enough to ease Home Care Package wait times. Government data analysed by The Senior shows shortfalls in the ratio of service providers to people needing Home Care (soon to become Support at Home), in different regions of Australia. The most recent government dada shows more than 87,000 people waiting for a home care package, or for an existing one to be upgraded, as of March 31, while HelloCare has reported waitlists will surge to 100,000 by November 2025. On August 7, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae announced $30.8 million to help attract and support more than 6000 aged care workers in rural and regional Australia. "This announcement is all about giving workers and providers opportunities to attract, train, upskill and retain the passionate people who care for our loved ones," he said. Read more in The Senior Government data published in July showed wait times to be assigned a home care package should be between 6 to 9 months for Level 1 and 2, 9 to 12 months for Level 3, and 12 to 15 months for Level 4 - but The Senior believes this is not the case for many people waiting. Across the country, there were 922 approved service providers as of March 31, many servicing more than one region. The Senior compared the number of service providers (2303) in different regions with the number of people who were already on a package (289,481), those waiting for an upgraded package (17,374) plus those yet to commence a Home Care Package (70,223). That's a ratio of 1 service provider to 163.7 people (if those waiting were to be given a package today) though not all regions are equal. See how your region fares in our table below. South Australia's Riverland region has three providers servicing the area, with 824 people already on an HCP, 30 people waiting for an upgrade and another 146 waiting to commence an HCP - that's a ratio of 333.3 people to 1 provider. ADA Australia chief executive officer Geoff Rowe said wait times for packages to be approved between regional and metropolitan people was the same, while he believed blowouts was because of a lack of locally available services, particularly in regional areas. "People living in regional areas are more limited in terms of choice, and have shortages in particular services such as allied health, and trying to get assessments for package items," he said. "If you're not happy with a provider, often there is no alternative in remote locations." Mr Rowe said a long travel time for services would "eat into" package budgets, and while subsidies may be available, some money might be used to cover administration. OPAN chief executive Craig Gear echoed Mr Rowe's comments about limited choices for regional Australians. He said it was pleasing to see extra funding in regional areas, and wanted to see more options in regional areas and flexible models of service to help local communities and build local workforces. "We also want to see recognition of the higher cost of service delivery in regional areas, which may be achieved through higher subsidies or package levels that reflect the increased costs," he said. A new rights-based Aged Care Act, and Support at Home, are due to start on November 1, 2025. A Senate enquiry has been launched into home care delays. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. More funding is set to pay for more aged care workers in regional areas but data analysis reveals it won't be enough to ease Home Care Package wait times. Government data analysed by The Senior shows shortfalls in the ratio of service providers to people needing Home Care (soon to become Support at Home), in different regions of Australia. The most recent government dada shows more than 87,000 people waiting for a home care package, or for an existing one to be upgraded, as of March 31, while HelloCare has reported waitlists will surge to 100,000 by November 2025. On August 7, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae announced $30.8 million to help attract and support more than 6000 aged care workers in rural and regional Australia. "This announcement is all about giving workers and providers opportunities to attract, train, upskill and retain the passionate people who care for our loved ones," he said. Read more in The Senior Government data published in July showed wait times to be assigned a home care package should be between 6 to 9 months for Level 1 and 2, 9 to 12 months for Level 3, and 12 to 15 months for Level 4 - but The Senior believes this is not the case for many people waiting. Across the country, there were 922 approved service providers as of March 31, many servicing more than one region. The Senior compared the number of service providers (2303) in different regions with the number of people who were already on a package (289,481), those waiting for an upgraded package (17,374) plus those yet to commence a Home Care Package (70,223). That's a ratio of 1 service provider to 163.7 people (if those waiting were to be given a package today) though not all regions are equal. See how your region fares in our table below. South Australia's Riverland region has three providers servicing the area, with 824 people already on an HCP, 30 people waiting for an upgrade and another 146 waiting to commence an HCP - that's a ratio of 333.3 people to 1 provider. ADA Australia chief executive officer Geoff Rowe said wait times for packages to be approved between regional and metropolitan people was the same, while he believed blowouts was because of a lack of locally available services, particularly in regional areas. "People living in regional areas are more limited in terms of choice, and have shortages in particular services such as allied health, and trying to get assessments for package items," he said. "If you're not happy with a provider, often there is no alternative in remote locations." Mr Rowe said a long travel time for services would "eat into" package budgets, and while subsidies may be available, some money might be used to cover administration. OPAN chief executive Craig Gear echoed Mr Rowe's comments about limited choices for regional Australians. He said it was pleasing to see extra funding in regional areas, and wanted to see more options in regional areas and flexible models of service to help local communities and build local workforces. "We also want to see recognition of the higher cost of service delivery in regional areas, which may be achieved through higher subsidies or package levels that reflect the increased costs," he said. A new rights-based Aged Care Act, and Support at Home, are due to start on November 1, 2025. A Senate enquiry has been launched into home care delays. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. More funding is set to pay for more aged care workers in regional areas but data analysis reveals it won't be enough to ease Home Care Package wait times. Government data analysed by The Senior shows shortfalls in the ratio of service providers to people needing Home Care (soon to become Support at Home), in different regions of Australia. The most recent government dada shows more than 87,000 people waiting for a home care package, or for an existing one to be upgraded, as of March 31, while HelloCare has reported waitlists will surge to 100,000 by November 2025. On August 7, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae announced $30.8 million to help attract and support more than 6000 aged care workers in rural and regional Australia. "This announcement is all about giving workers and providers opportunities to attract, train, upskill and retain the passionate people who care for our loved ones," he said. Read more in The Senior Government data published in July showed wait times to be assigned a home care package should be between 6 to 9 months for Level 1 and 2, 9 to 12 months for Level 3, and 12 to 15 months for Level 4 - but The Senior believes this is not the case for many people waiting. Across the country, there were 922 approved service providers as of March 31, many servicing more than one region. The Senior compared the number of service providers (2303) in different regions with the number of people who were already on a package (289,481), those waiting for an upgraded package (17,374) plus those yet to commence a Home Care Package (70,223). That's a ratio of 1 service provider to 163.7 people (if those waiting were to be given a package today) though not all regions are equal. See how your region fares in our table below. South Australia's Riverland region has three providers servicing the area, with 824 people already on an HCP, 30 people waiting for an upgrade and another 146 waiting to commence an HCP - that's a ratio of 333.3 people to 1 provider. ADA Australia chief executive officer Geoff Rowe said wait times for packages to be approved between regional and metropolitan people was the same, while he believed blowouts was because of a lack of locally available services, particularly in regional areas. "People living in regional areas are more limited in terms of choice, and have shortages in particular services such as allied health, and trying to get assessments for package items," he said. "If you're not happy with a provider, often there is no alternative in remote locations." Mr Rowe said a long travel time for services would "eat into" package budgets, and while subsidies may be available, some money might be used to cover administration. OPAN chief executive Craig Gear echoed Mr Rowe's comments about limited choices for regional Australians. He said it was pleasing to see extra funding in regional areas, and wanted to see more options in regional areas and flexible models of service to help local communities and build local workforces. "We also want to see recognition of the higher cost of service delivery in regional areas, which may be achieved through higher subsidies or package levels that reflect the increased costs," he said. A new rights-based Aged Care Act, and Support at Home, are due to start on November 1, 2025. A Senate enquiry has been launched into home care delays. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. More funding is set to pay for more aged care workers in regional areas but data analysis reveals it won't be enough to ease Home Care Package wait times. Government data analysed by The Senior shows shortfalls in the ratio of service providers to people needing Home Care (soon to become Support at Home), in different regions of Australia. The most recent government dada shows more than 87,000 people waiting for a home care package, or for an existing one to be upgraded, as of March 31, while HelloCare has reported waitlists will surge to 100,000 by November 2025. On August 7, Minister for Aged Care and Seniors Sam Rae announced $30.8 million to help attract and support more than 6000 aged care workers in rural and regional Australia. "This announcement is all about giving workers and providers opportunities to attract, train, upskill and retain the passionate people who care for our loved ones," he said. Read more in The Senior Government data published in July showed wait times to be assigned a home care package should be between 6 to 9 months for Level 1 and 2, 9 to 12 months for Level 3, and 12 to 15 months for Level 4 - but The Senior believes this is not the case for many people waiting. Across the country, there were 922 approved service providers as of March 31, many servicing more than one region. The Senior compared the number of service providers (2303) in different regions with the number of people who were already on a package (289,481), those waiting for an upgraded package (17,374) plus those yet to commence a Home Care Package (70,223). That's a ratio of 1 service provider to 163.7 people (if those waiting were to be given a package today) though not all regions are equal. See how your region fares in our table below. South Australia's Riverland region has three providers servicing the area, with 824 people already on an HCP, 30 people waiting for an upgrade and another 146 waiting to commence an HCP - that's a ratio of 333.3 people to 1 provider. ADA Australia chief executive officer Geoff Rowe said wait times for packages to be approved between regional and metropolitan people was the same, while he believed blowouts was because of a lack of locally available services, particularly in regional areas. "People living in regional areas are more limited in terms of choice, and have shortages in particular services such as allied health, and trying to get assessments for package items," he said. "If you're not happy with a provider, often there is no alternative in remote locations." Mr Rowe said a long travel time for services would "eat into" package budgets, and while subsidies may be available, some money might be used to cover administration. OPAN chief executive Craig Gear echoed Mr Rowe's comments about limited choices for regional Australians. He said it was pleasing to see extra funding in regional areas, and wanted to see more options in regional areas and flexible models of service to help local communities and build local workforces. "We also want to see recognition of the higher cost of service delivery in regional areas, which may be achieved through higher subsidies or package levels that reflect the increased costs," he said. A new rights-based Aged Care Act, and Support at Home, are due to start on November 1, 2025. A Senate enquiry has been launched into home care delays. Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
The Advertiser
10-06-2025
- Health
- The Advertiser
Independents unite to demand home support for 20,000 after aged care delay
In their first flex of group political muscle since the federal election, Australia's independent MPs have teamed up to call on the government to fund - within weeks - at least 20,000 extra aged care home support packages. The government announced in early June it was delaying by five months big changes to aged care, which had been due to start mid-year, to give service providers more time to prepare. But 10 crossbenchers have teamed up to express concern about the impact of the postponement on the nearly 83,000 elderly Australians on the waiting list for home care. "Research shows that the longer people go without appropriate home care supports, the higher their risk of injury or hospitalisation," the MPs said in a June 10 letter to Health Minister Mark Butler and Aged Care Minister Sam Rae. "This delay will also imperil your government's commitment that by 2027 no one will wait more than 90 days for a package. "On behalf of people in our communities, we are calling on the Albanese government to, at a minimum, fund 20,000 new packages to commence on 1 July 2025 under the current home care packages scheme, which can then be rolled over onto the new support at home program when it eventually commences," the letter reads. The call for bridging support to cover the delay is supported by both Council on the Ageing (COTA) and the Older Persons Advocacy Network. "I regularly have families contacting me about the excessively long wait times for home care packages," ACT independent senator David Pocock said. "We can't afford to delay this further." Dr Helen Haines, the member for Indi in north-east Victoria, said waiting times were lengthened by a lack of qualified people to provide care in regional areas. "We also can't delay the rollout of a pricing framework that fairly reflects the travel costs to deliver care in rural areas," she said. Any setback for older people who wanted to stay at home was "unacceptable", Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie said. "Both sides of politics have dropped the ball on this issue over the last ten years," she said. "What the minister calls 'a brief deferral' will directly impact the lives of older Australians." Sydney-based Allegra Spender said she had heard "heartbreaking" stories of elderly people forced into nursing homes due to the long wait for assistance at home, while Dr Monique Ryan in Melbourne said "older Australians shouldn't suffer because of the aged care system's failures". Andrew Gee, the newly re-elected independent MP for Calare in NSW, also put his name to the letter in a sign the former National - who quit the party over its opposition to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament - will work with the so-called teals in this parliament. The other signatories were Sydney's Dr Sophie Scamps and Zali Steggall, Andrew Wilkie from Tasmania, and Kate Chaney from Western Australia. Given Labor's thumping majority win at the May election, the independents will have less sway in this parliament, but the letter is the first indication they will nonetheless use their numbers to lobby together. Home care packages are a form of commonwealth assistance designed to help people aged 65 and over to stay at home longer by providing assistance with household tasks, personal care and some medical care, such as that provided by nurses. The government has pledged to switch to a $5.6 billion "support at home" system, promising to be "the greatest improvement to aged care in 30 years" designed to slash waiting lists. The health minister's office has been contacted for comment. In their first flex of group political muscle since the federal election, Australia's independent MPs have teamed up to call on the government to fund - within weeks - at least 20,000 extra aged care home support packages. The government announced in early June it was delaying by five months big changes to aged care, which had been due to start mid-year, to give service providers more time to prepare. But 10 crossbenchers have teamed up to express concern about the impact of the postponement on the nearly 83,000 elderly Australians on the waiting list for home care. "Research shows that the longer people go without appropriate home care supports, the higher their risk of injury or hospitalisation," the MPs said in a June 10 letter to Health Minister Mark Butler and Aged Care Minister Sam Rae. "This delay will also imperil your government's commitment that by 2027 no one will wait more than 90 days for a package. "On behalf of people in our communities, we are calling on the Albanese government to, at a minimum, fund 20,000 new packages to commence on 1 July 2025 under the current home care packages scheme, which can then be rolled over onto the new support at home program when it eventually commences," the letter reads. The call for bridging support to cover the delay is supported by both Council on the Ageing (COTA) and the Older Persons Advocacy Network. "I regularly have families contacting me about the excessively long wait times for home care packages," ACT independent senator David Pocock said. "We can't afford to delay this further." Dr Helen Haines, the member for Indi in north-east Victoria, said waiting times were lengthened by a lack of qualified people to provide care in regional areas. "We also can't delay the rollout of a pricing framework that fairly reflects the travel costs to deliver care in rural areas," she said. Any setback for older people who wanted to stay at home was "unacceptable", Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie said. "Both sides of politics have dropped the ball on this issue over the last ten years," she said. "What the minister calls 'a brief deferral' will directly impact the lives of older Australians." Sydney-based Allegra Spender said she had heard "heartbreaking" stories of elderly people forced into nursing homes due to the long wait for assistance at home, while Dr Monique Ryan in Melbourne said "older Australians shouldn't suffer because of the aged care system's failures". Andrew Gee, the newly re-elected independent MP for Calare in NSW, also put his name to the letter in a sign the former National - who quit the party over its opposition to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament - will work with the so-called teals in this parliament. The other signatories were Sydney's Dr Sophie Scamps and Zali Steggall, Andrew Wilkie from Tasmania, and Kate Chaney from Western Australia. Given Labor's thumping majority win at the May election, the independents will have less sway in this parliament, but the letter is the first indication they will nonetheless use their numbers to lobby together. Home care packages are a form of commonwealth assistance designed to help people aged 65 and over to stay at home longer by providing assistance with household tasks, personal care and some medical care, such as that provided by nurses. The government has pledged to switch to a $5.6 billion "support at home" system, promising to be "the greatest improvement to aged care in 30 years" designed to slash waiting lists. The health minister's office has been contacted for comment. In their first flex of group political muscle since the federal election, Australia's independent MPs have teamed up to call on the government to fund - within weeks - at least 20,000 extra aged care home support packages. The government announced in early June it was delaying by five months big changes to aged care, which had been due to start mid-year, to give service providers more time to prepare. But 10 crossbenchers have teamed up to express concern about the impact of the postponement on the nearly 83,000 elderly Australians on the waiting list for home care. "Research shows that the longer people go without appropriate home care supports, the higher their risk of injury or hospitalisation," the MPs said in a June 10 letter to Health Minister Mark Butler and Aged Care Minister Sam Rae. "This delay will also imperil your government's commitment that by 2027 no one will wait more than 90 days for a package. "On behalf of people in our communities, we are calling on the Albanese government to, at a minimum, fund 20,000 new packages to commence on 1 July 2025 under the current home care packages scheme, which can then be rolled over onto the new support at home program when it eventually commences," the letter reads. The call for bridging support to cover the delay is supported by both Council on the Ageing (COTA) and the Older Persons Advocacy Network. "I regularly have families contacting me about the excessively long wait times for home care packages," ACT independent senator David Pocock said. "We can't afford to delay this further." Dr Helen Haines, the member for Indi in north-east Victoria, said waiting times were lengthened by a lack of qualified people to provide care in regional areas. "We also can't delay the rollout of a pricing framework that fairly reflects the travel costs to deliver care in rural areas," she said. Any setback for older people who wanted to stay at home was "unacceptable", Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie said. "Both sides of politics have dropped the ball on this issue over the last ten years," she said. "What the minister calls 'a brief deferral' will directly impact the lives of older Australians." Sydney-based Allegra Spender said she had heard "heartbreaking" stories of elderly people forced into nursing homes due to the long wait for assistance at home, while Dr Monique Ryan in Melbourne said "older Australians shouldn't suffer because of the aged care system's failures". Andrew Gee, the newly re-elected independent MP for Calare in NSW, also put his name to the letter in a sign the former National - who quit the party over its opposition to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament - will work with the so-called teals in this parliament. The other signatories were Sydney's Dr Sophie Scamps and Zali Steggall, Andrew Wilkie from Tasmania, and Kate Chaney from Western Australia. Given Labor's thumping majority win at the May election, the independents will have less sway in this parliament, but the letter is the first indication they will nonetheless use their numbers to lobby together. Home care packages are a form of commonwealth assistance designed to help people aged 65 and over to stay at home longer by providing assistance with household tasks, personal care and some medical care, such as that provided by nurses. The government has pledged to switch to a $5.6 billion "support at home" system, promising to be "the greatest improvement to aged care in 30 years" designed to slash waiting lists. The health minister's office has been contacted for comment. In their first flex of group political muscle since the federal election, Australia's independent MPs have teamed up to call on the government to fund - within weeks - at least 20,000 extra aged care home support packages. The government announced in early June it was delaying by five months big changes to aged care, which had been due to start mid-year, to give service providers more time to prepare. But 10 crossbenchers have teamed up to express concern about the impact of the postponement on the nearly 83,000 elderly Australians on the waiting list for home care. "Research shows that the longer people go without appropriate home care supports, the higher their risk of injury or hospitalisation," the MPs said in a June 10 letter to Health Minister Mark Butler and Aged Care Minister Sam Rae. "This delay will also imperil your government's commitment that by 2027 no one will wait more than 90 days for a package. "On behalf of people in our communities, we are calling on the Albanese government to, at a minimum, fund 20,000 new packages to commence on 1 July 2025 under the current home care packages scheme, which can then be rolled over onto the new support at home program when it eventually commences," the letter reads. The call for bridging support to cover the delay is supported by both Council on the Ageing (COTA) and the Older Persons Advocacy Network. "I regularly have families contacting me about the excessively long wait times for home care packages," ACT independent senator David Pocock said. "We can't afford to delay this further." Dr Helen Haines, the member for Indi in north-east Victoria, said waiting times were lengthened by a lack of qualified people to provide care in regional areas. "We also can't delay the rollout of a pricing framework that fairly reflects the travel costs to deliver care in rural areas," she said. Any setback for older people who wanted to stay at home was "unacceptable", Tasmanian senator Jacqui Lambie said. "Both sides of politics have dropped the ball on this issue over the last ten years," she said. "What the minister calls 'a brief deferral' will directly impact the lives of older Australians." Sydney-based Allegra Spender said she had heard "heartbreaking" stories of elderly people forced into nursing homes due to the long wait for assistance at home, while Dr Monique Ryan in Melbourne said "older Australians shouldn't suffer because of the aged care system's failures". Andrew Gee, the newly re-elected independent MP for Calare in NSW, also put his name to the letter in a sign the former National - who quit the party over its opposition to the Indigenous Voice to Parliament - will work with the so-called teals in this parliament. The other signatories were Sydney's Dr Sophie Scamps and Zali Steggall, Andrew Wilkie from Tasmania, and Kate Chaney from Western Australia. Given Labor's thumping majority win at the May election, the independents will have less sway in this parliament, but the letter is the first indication they will nonetheless use their numbers to lobby together. Home care packages are a form of commonwealth assistance designed to help people aged 65 and over to stay at home longer by providing assistance with household tasks, personal care and some medical care, such as that provided by nurses. The government has pledged to switch to a $5.6 billion "support at home" system, promising to be "the greatest improvement to aged care in 30 years" designed to slash waiting lists. The health minister's office has been contacted for comment.
News.com.au
04-06-2025
- Business
- News.com.au
Aged care sector backs delay for major reform to the industry
The Albanese government is delaying its 'once-in-a-generation' aged care reforms to give providers more time to prepare. Bolstering regulation, simplifying in-home care services and increasing how much wealthier retirees pay toward non-clinical services were among the key changes set to kick in on July 1. But after months of warnings from the sector, Health Minister Mark Butler announced on Wednesday Labor was pushing the start date back by four months. 'We have been clear that we want to successfully deliver these reforms in the right way,' Mr Butler said in a joint statement with Aged Care Minister Sam Rae. 'We have received advice from the sector and experts that more time will improve the delivery of these reforms and minimise disruption. 'Following careful consideration, the government will recommend to the Governor-General ... that she proclaim the commencement of the new Aged Care Act to be 1 November 2025. 'This will allow more time for aged care providers to prepare their clients, support their workers and get their systems ready for the changes. 'It will also give us more time to finalise key operational and digital processes, and for parliament to consider supporting legislation that will enable the new act to operate effectively.' Treasurer Jim Chalmers told reporters the delay would have a 'modest' $900m impact on Commonwealth coffers over the next four years. The sector has welcomed the delay, with the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN) saying it switched its position in recent weeks due to concerns 'older people don't have the necessary information to make informed choices'. 'Until now, OPAN has been steadfast in its call for the Act to be implemented, as promised, on 1 July 2025, because older people can't get the aged care they need without it,' OPAN chief executive Craig Gear said. 'However, over the past weeks it has become increasingly apparent that, while the macro design of the reform is solid, older people don't have the necessary information to make informed choices at an individual level, particularly around the new Support at Home program. 'We are also concerned that the appropriate systems aren't yet in place to ensure continuity of care and services for older people during the transition.' The Council on the Ageing (COTA) also welcomed the move. 'We wanted a 1 July start date so people didn't have to wait any longer for their rights than they already have, but ultimately, we concluded it's far more important to get it right and ensure that older people understand what will happen for them,' COTA chief executive Patricia Sparrow said. Ms Sparrow called on the Albanese government to continue releasing 'extra packages of support for people living at home and reduce the home care package wait list even with the delayed start for the new Support at Home program'. Meanwhile, the Coalition has blasted the delay as 'a clear admission of failure'. 'The government was warned,' opposition health spokeswoman Anne Ruston said in a statement. 'We put forward a responsible, measured amendment to ensure that their reforms could be rolled out safely and effectively, and Labor opposed it. 'The aged care sector has been crying out that the 1 July deadline was not deliverable without causing serious negative consequences.
The Advertiser
04-06-2025
- Business
- The Advertiser
Government 'listens' to widespread concern, delays start of Aged Care Act
Once-in-a-generation changes to the aged care sector have been put on pause by the federal government to allow more time for service providers and clients to prepare. The new Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, released an open letter to aged care providers on Wednesday, June 4, signalling he will defer the start of the Aged Care Act from July 1 to November 1, 2025. "I have spent my first three weeks as your Minister listening to older people, their families and carers, aged care providers, workers and others in the sector who have generously shared their views and feedback with me," Mr Rae stated. "You have told us you need more time to prepare your clients, support your workers and get your systems ready for the transition to the new Aged Care Act." The letter said the extra time would allow the government to finalise key operational and digital processes - something providers have been crying out for - along with implementation guidance and training. Read more at The Senior: The decision follows months of widespread criticism over lack of information and transparency by aged care providers and advocates for the aged, with many calling to delay the implementation of the new laws - as reported by The Senior. Craig Gear, CEO of the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), said the four-month delay was the "right decision" as older people did not have the necessary information to make informed choices, especially around the Support at Home program. "We are also concerned that the appropriate systems aren't yet in place to ensure continuity of care and services for older people during the transition," Mr Gear said. OPAN has also called for the release of at least 20,000 additional home care packages during the delay to reduce the current 83,000 people waiting up to 11 months to receive the appropriate level of home care. "This decision is the result of months of intense discussions and calls for practical timelines for the sector. We know that rushed reforms would put levels of care at risk for older people," Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said. "We fully support the new rights-based Aged Care Act, but the simple truth is we're not ready to introduce all the sweeping reforms by 1 July. Providers have been working around the clock to ensure a smooth transition, but we just haven't received all the information we need in order to proceed." Mr Symondson said the extra time was a "critical space" to help aged care providers and services finalise agreements with clients, systems and processes - and puts older Australians first. "This is a win for the 1.4 million older Australians, who rely on aged care," he said. "We need to do this reform once and do it right. We hope this extension will help us get closer to that goal." Catholic Health Australia (which represents more than 350 aged care facilities) also welcomed the government's decision, with CEO Jason Kara saying it would ensure a smooth transition. "Reform of this magnitude and importance should not be rushed," Mr Kara said. "Much of the detail around how the new program will work is incomplete or in draft," said Mr Kara. "Requiring providers and residents to sign agreements without key information such as co-contribution amounts and transitional rules would have risked the discontinuation of care, or care being provided without a legal service agreement, posing legal, financial and regulatory risks." Simon Miller, CEO of Anglicare Sydney, said the delay would help produce "stronger outcomes for everyone". Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Once-in-a-generation changes to the aged care sector have been put on pause by the federal government to allow more time for service providers and clients to prepare. The new Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, released an open letter to aged care providers on Wednesday, June 4, signalling he will defer the start of the Aged Care Act from July 1 to November 1, 2025. "I have spent my first three weeks as your Minister listening to older people, their families and carers, aged care providers, workers and others in the sector who have generously shared their views and feedback with me," Mr Rae stated. "You have told us you need more time to prepare your clients, support your workers and get your systems ready for the transition to the new Aged Care Act." The letter said the extra time would allow the government to finalise key operational and digital processes - something providers have been crying out for - along with implementation guidance and training. Read more at The Senior: The decision follows months of widespread criticism over lack of information and transparency by aged care providers and advocates for the aged, with many calling to delay the implementation of the new laws - as reported by The Senior. Craig Gear, CEO of the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), said the four-month delay was the "right decision" as older people did not have the necessary information to make informed choices, especially around the Support at Home program. "We are also concerned that the appropriate systems aren't yet in place to ensure continuity of care and services for older people during the transition," Mr Gear said. OPAN has also called for the release of at least 20,000 additional home care packages during the delay to reduce the current 83,000 people waiting up to 11 months to receive the appropriate level of home care. "This decision is the result of months of intense discussions and calls for practical timelines for the sector. We know that rushed reforms would put levels of care at risk for older people," Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said. "We fully support the new rights-based Aged Care Act, but the simple truth is we're not ready to introduce all the sweeping reforms by 1 July. Providers have been working around the clock to ensure a smooth transition, but we just haven't received all the information we need in order to proceed." Mr Symondson said the extra time was a "critical space" to help aged care providers and services finalise agreements with clients, systems and processes - and puts older Australians first. "This is a win for the 1.4 million older Australians, who rely on aged care," he said. "We need to do this reform once and do it right. We hope this extension will help us get closer to that goal." Catholic Health Australia (which represents more than 350 aged care facilities) also welcomed the government's decision, with CEO Jason Kara saying it would ensure a smooth transition. "Reform of this magnitude and importance should not be rushed," Mr Kara said. "Much of the detail around how the new program will work is incomplete or in draft," said Mr Kara. "Requiring providers and residents to sign agreements without key information such as co-contribution amounts and transitional rules would have risked the discontinuation of care, or care being provided without a legal service agreement, posing legal, financial and regulatory risks." Simon Miller, CEO of Anglicare Sydney, said the delay would help produce "stronger outcomes for everyone". Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Once-in-a-generation changes to the aged care sector have been put on pause by the federal government to allow more time for service providers and clients to prepare. The new Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, released an open letter to aged care providers on Wednesday, June 4, signalling he will defer the start of the Aged Care Act from July 1 to November 1, 2025. "I have spent my first three weeks as your Minister listening to older people, their families and carers, aged care providers, workers and others in the sector who have generously shared their views and feedback with me," Mr Rae stated. "You have told us you need more time to prepare your clients, support your workers and get your systems ready for the transition to the new Aged Care Act." The letter said the extra time would allow the government to finalise key operational and digital processes - something providers have been crying out for - along with implementation guidance and training. Read more at The Senior: The decision follows months of widespread criticism over lack of information and transparency by aged care providers and advocates for the aged, with many calling to delay the implementation of the new laws - as reported by The Senior. Craig Gear, CEO of the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), said the four-month delay was the "right decision" as older people did not have the necessary information to make informed choices, especially around the Support at Home program. "We are also concerned that the appropriate systems aren't yet in place to ensure continuity of care and services for older people during the transition," Mr Gear said. OPAN has also called for the release of at least 20,000 additional home care packages during the delay to reduce the current 83,000 people waiting up to 11 months to receive the appropriate level of home care. "This decision is the result of months of intense discussions and calls for practical timelines for the sector. We know that rushed reforms would put levels of care at risk for older people," Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said. "We fully support the new rights-based Aged Care Act, but the simple truth is we're not ready to introduce all the sweeping reforms by 1 July. Providers have been working around the clock to ensure a smooth transition, but we just haven't received all the information we need in order to proceed." Mr Symondson said the extra time was a "critical space" to help aged care providers and services finalise agreements with clients, systems and processes - and puts older Australians first. "This is a win for the 1.4 million older Australians, who rely on aged care," he said. "We need to do this reform once and do it right. We hope this extension will help us get closer to that goal." Catholic Health Australia (which represents more than 350 aged care facilities) also welcomed the government's decision, with CEO Jason Kara saying it would ensure a smooth transition. "Reform of this magnitude and importance should not be rushed," Mr Kara said. "Much of the detail around how the new program will work is incomplete or in draft," said Mr Kara. "Requiring providers and residents to sign agreements without key information such as co-contribution amounts and transitional rules would have risked the discontinuation of care, or care being provided without a legal service agreement, posing legal, financial and regulatory risks." Simon Miller, CEO of Anglicare Sydney, said the delay would help produce "stronger outcomes for everyone". Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE. Once-in-a-generation changes to the aged care sector have been put on pause by the federal government to allow more time for service providers and clients to prepare. The new Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, released an open letter to aged care providers on Wednesday, June 4, signalling he will defer the start of the Aged Care Act from July 1 to November 1, 2025. "I have spent my first three weeks as your Minister listening to older people, their families and carers, aged care providers, workers and others in the sector who have generously shared their views and feedback with me," Mr Rae stated. "You have told us you need more time to prepare your clients, support your workers and get your systems ready for the transition to the new Aged Care Act." The letter said the extra time would allow the government to finalise key operational and digital processes - something providers have been crying out for - along with implementation guidance and training. Read more at The Senior: The decision follows months of widespread criticism over lack of information and transparency by aged care providers and advocates for the aged, with many calling to delay the implementation of the new laws - as reported by The Senior. Craig Gear, CEO of the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), said the four-month delay was the "right decision" as older people did not have the necessary information to make informed choices, especially around the Support at Home program. "We are also concerned that the appropriate systems aren't yet in place to ensure continuity of care and services for older people during the transition," Mr Gear said. OPAN has also called for the release of at least 20,000 additional home care packages during the delay to reduce the current 83,000 people waiting up to 11 months to receive the appropriate level of home care. "This decision is the result of months of intense discussions and calls for practical timelines for the sector. We know that rushed reforms would put levels of care at risk for older people," Ageing Australia CEO Tom Symondson said. "We fully support the new rights-based Aged Care Act, but the simple truth is we're not ready to introduce all the sweeping reforms by 1 July. Providers have been working around the clock to ensure a smooth transition, but we just haven't received all the information we need in order to proceed." Mr Symondson said the extra time was a "critical space" to help aged care providers and services finalise agreements with clients, systems and processes - and puts older Australians first. "This is a win for the 1.4 million older Australians, who rely on aged care," he said. "We need to do this reform once and do it right. We hope this extension will help us get closer to that goal." Catholic Health Australia (which represents more than 350 aged care facilities) also welcomed the government's decision, with CEO Jason Kara saying it would ensure a smooth transition. "Reform of this magnitude and importance should not be rushed," Mr Kara said. "Much of the detail around how the new program will work is incomplete or in draft," said Mr Kara. "Requiring providers and residents to sign agreements without key information such as co-contribution amounts and transitional rules would have risked the discontinuation of care, or care being provided without a legal service agreement, posing legal, financial and regulatory risks." Simon Miller, CEO of Anglicare Sydney, said the delay would help produce "stronger outcomes for everyone". Share your thoughts in the comments below, or send a Letter to the Editor by CLICKING HERE.
Daily Mail
14-05-2025
- Business
- Daily Mail
57 percent pay rise for politicians after Albanese win
By Published: | Updated: Australia's newest ministers are in for big pay rises following Labor's landslide election win - including some still aged in their thirties. Anthony Albanese is the highest paid around the Cabinet table at $607,516, followed by his deputy Richard Marles on $479,003 and Treasurer Jim Chalmers on $438,113, although these salaries are unchanged from their previous term. The biggest pay rises went to new Melbourne-based ministers elevated from the backbench on Tuesday when they were sworn in by Governor-General Sam Mostyn . These MPs have been promoted from the backbench to the outer ministry, increasing their base salaries by 57.5 per cent, from $233,660 to $368,015. Sam Rae (pictured left) at just 38 has been appointed the new Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, as a former Labor state secretary. He's joined in that salary jump by Daniel Mulino, an economist with a PhD from Yale, who has been appointed Assistant Treasurer; and Jess Walsh, a former union leader who now holds the Early Childhood Education portfolio. Two high-profile women have moved into the 23-member cabinet from the outer ministry - with their salary hiked from $368,015 to $403,064. They are Anne Aly (pictured left), a former academic and Perth-based MP, who now has the International Development, Multicultural Affairs and Small Business portfolios; plus former Brisbane-based lawyer Anika Wells, 39, who is moving into Cabinet with the Communications portfolio. Tim Ayres, a senator for NSW, got a 38 per cent pay rise and is the new Industry Innovation and Science Minister, earning $403,064 - up 38 per cent from his previous assistant minister job. New assistant ministers will earn a salary of $292,075. These include Rebecca White, the former Tasmanian Opposition Leader who is now the Assistant Minister for Health, Aged Care and Women. Also among their number are Andrew Charlton, an economist who moves from the backbench to become Cabinet Secretary and Assistant Minister for Science, Technology and the Digital Economy; Peter Khalil, the new Assistant Minister for Defence; and Josh Wilson, Assistant Minister for Climate Change and Energy. Senior ministers Tanya Pilbersek (now Social Services), Amanda Rishworth (Employment and Workplace Relations) and Michelle Rowland (Attorney-General) keep their $403,064 salary. The most senior ministers Penny Wong (pictured) (Foreign Affairs) and Jim Chalmers (Treasurer) earn $438,113 while Katy Gallagher (Finance) earns a little less at $408,905. Backbenchers get a base salary of $233,660. The Remuneration Tribunal determines the base pay of federal MPs every year, along with loadings for senior Cabinet ministers, junior ministers, assistant ministers and those who head parliamentary committees. New pay rises for all MPs come into effect in July, flowing through to backbenchers all the way up to the PM. But the loading formula for ministers remains the same, including those with extra duties managing government business in the Senate. Not everyone was a winner. Josh Burns, the Melbourne-based MP, was appointed a special envoy for social housing and homelessness - but unlike assistant ministers, doesn't get a 25 per cent loading on top of a backbencher's base salary of $233,660. And then the pay cuts... Former ministers suffered a 42 per cent pay cut, seeing their salaries fall from $403,064 down to $233,660. Former industry minister Ed Husic and attorney-general Mark Dreyfus will suffer big salary hits after Marles declined to use his clout as a Right faction leader to save them.
