Catholic Health Australia – Residential Aged Care Accommodation Pricing Review Submission

Background

Catholic Health Australia (CHA) welcomes the opportunity to contribute to the ResidentialAged Care Accommodation Pricing Review (the Review). We appreciate the Department of Health, Disability and Aged Care’s commitment to examining the financial sustainability and
investability of the residential aged care sector, and we look forward to working collaboratively throughout the Review process and in the development of the final report to the Minister.

The recent Senate Inquiry’s recommendation to end the rationing of home care packages highlights the broader need for a coordinated shift across aged care – from a rationed model to a demand-driven system. Residential care accommodation pricing must be considered within this context to ensure reforms support a responsive, equitable, and sustainable aged care continuum.

CHA strongly advocated for this Review to occur in genuine partnership with the sector. We therefore welcome the Department’s recognition that accommodation pricing and the accommodation supplement are central to the long-term sustainability of residential aged care, particularly for providers who care for a high proportion of supported residents