Public consultation to help inform care at home reforms

The Australian Government has released a public discussion paper to help inform future care at home reforms.

 13 July 2017

The Turnbull Government has released a public discussion paper to help inform future care at home reforms.

The Minister for Aged Care, Ken Wyatt AM, said older Australians want better choices and improved access to services to help them continue to live active and healthy lives in their own homes and communities.

“The reforms the Australian Government has introduced in recent years aim to put consumers in control of their care. The goal is a more consumer driven, market-based and nationally consistent system – one that is fair and supports older Australians,” Minister Wyatt said.

“In February this year, the Federal Government introduced Increasing Choice in Home Care reforms to give consumers more choice and control in selecting a home care provider.

“For the first time, funding for home care follows the consumer, not the provider. There is now also a consistent, national process for prioritising the provision of home care to ensure fairer and more equitable access, regardless of where people live.”

Minister Wyatt said that before making decisions on further reforms, the Turnbull Government wanted to hear the views of the sector and the community.

“While future reforms may include changes to the existing home support and home care arrangements, no decisions have been made. The Turnbull Government is committed to open and transparent consultation on the best way forward,” he said.

“The paper I have released today seeks input on how any future aged care reforms can best help older Australians to live at home. The policy objectives and reform options in the paper have been developed in response to what we have heard from the sector.

“I also welcome feedback on the Increasing Choice in Home Care changes. Your feedback will be used to inform Government decisions on an integrated care at home program.”

Consultation begins today and will be open for six weeks until 21 August 2017. The discussion paper can be accessed through the Department of Health’s Consultation Hub.

For more information, contact the Minister’s Office on 02 6277 7720