Aged Care Approvals Round Expands Home Care Packages Program

Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) has welcomed the announcement by the Assistant Minister for Social Services, Senator Mitch Fifield, that the 2014 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR) will expand the Home Care Packages program.

ACSA CEO, Adj Prof John G Kelly AM, said it was excellent the Government had plans to make special funding available for capital grants under the Rural, Regional and Other Special Needs Building Fund.

"The sector has been waiting for an announcement on ACAR since late last year and it is good to have a timeline in place," Prof Kelly said. "With applications opening in May, the industry has some time to consider the types of aged care services that are required in particular areas. "Expanding the Home Care Packages program is important as only one in 18 applications were approved in the previous ACAR round.

"Many older Australians want to stay in their own home for as long as possible and with the increasing number of frail aged Australians, residential aged care services will be hard pressed to meet demand without extra funding on a large scale. "Capital grants to assist providers through the Rural, Regional and Other Special Needs Building Fund is also timely, especially as lending conditions tighten."

Aged and Community Services Australia is the peak body for mission-based aged care providers.