Aged Care Reform has been moving at a glacial pace since the Royal Commission Final Report was delivered in March 2021.

The Royal Commission found that the current Aged Care Act and its related legislation is no longer fit for purpose. This is because it is structured around providers and how to fund them, rather than around the people accessing services and what they need.

The lack of Aged Care beds in Lismore and the Northern Rivers is one of the reasons why Lismore Base Hospital emergency department wait times are some of the worst in the state. The elderly are taking up beds in the hospital with no where for them to go.

The new Aged Care Act introduced into parliament in September this year, will underpin responses to around 60 Royal Commission recommendations, including to legislate:

• the Government's response to the Aged Care Taskforce recommendations
• the new Support at Home program
• strengthened Aged Care Quality Standards
• stronger powers for the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission
• a Statement of Rights for older people.

Leaders from the UnitingCare Network appeared before the Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee in October to advocate for an Aged Care Bill that meets the needs of older Australians for decades to come.

From Devonport to Darwin, representatives shared their perspectives during the following hearings:

Andrew Kinnersly, Uniting AgeWell – Devonport (4 October) 

Jude Emmer, Wesley Mission Queensland – Brisbane (11 October) 

Chris Stewart, Helping Hand – Port Lincoln (14 October) 

Sarah Watson, Uniting Communities – Port Lincoln (14 October) 

Tracey Burton, Uniting NSW.ACT – Newcastle (16 October) 

Russell Bricknell, Juniper Aged Care – Perth (18 October) and Aged Care Remote Accord – Darwin (24 October)

“This Bill represents a once-in-a-generation opportunity to enhance the quality and sustainability of aged care services across the country,” said Claerwen Little, National Director of UnitingCare Australia.

“The voices of our CEOs highlight our commitment to ensuring that every older Australian experiences compassion and dignity as they age.

“As a significant provider of aged care services, we are deeply committed to advocating for a rights-based and future-proofed aged care system that meets the diverse needs of all Australians.”

UnitingCare Australia’s Submission on the Aged Care Bill, prepared in consultation with the UnitingCare Network, supports the Bill overall. The submission also identifies key provisions that would benefit from adjustments, including funding for accommodation and arrangements for disclosing residential care services.

Such adjustments will provide the confidence needed to continue delivering high-quality services across the sector.

“Older Australians have waited over three years since the Aged Care Royal Commission delivered its final report, and it is time to advance this vital reform,” said Little.

“Every Australian deserves to age with dignity, regardless of their financial circumstances, and we believe this legislation can pave the way for that. We urge Parliament to pass the Bill before the end of this parliamentary term.

“We are also calling on the Government to urgently release the Aged Care Rules, which are essential to fully understand the Bill’s impact and ensure a smooth transition.

“We need to make sure that no one is left behind in this transition, and the Government must guarantee adequate funding to sustain the sector, especially in regional and rural areas.

“As we navigate this transition, our focus remains on fostering an aged care system that meets today’s needs while laying a strong foundation for the future.”

About UnitingCare Australia

UnitingCare Australia is the national body for the Uniting Church’s community services, the largest social services and not-for-profit aged care provider network in Australia. The UnitingCare network supports 1.4 million people every year across 1,600 sites in urban, rural, and remote communities, with over 55,000 staff and 17,000 volunteers.