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Catholic Health Australia (CHA) has welcomed the Government’s decision to support more flexible pricing to deliver high quality aged care services in the home as part of the Support at Home program which begins on 1 July 2025.
“By using pricing benchmarks instead of pricing caps, the sector can focus on delivering high quality care that meets the preferences of older Australians using pricing that reflects the true cost of providing services in the home,” said Alex Lynch, CHA’s Director of In-Home Support.
“This flexible approach will be more effective than the originally intended price caps in meeting the ambitious goals of the Aged Care Act to dramatically increase access to high-quality, in-home aged care services in the coming years.
“This flexibility will help ensure the sector can deliver on the Government’s vision for high quality, sustainable aged care in a way that meets the needs and aspirations of older Australians themselves.”
Minister for Aged Care Anika Wells is to be congratulated for this pragmatic decision which will help the Support at Home program achieve its goals.
Whilst the vast majority of aged care costs will continue to be funded by the Government and not by older Australians themselves, it is important that a strong safety net applies to Support at Home.
“CHA is supportive of common-sense measures to ensure that older Australians cannot be taken advantage of,” Mr Lynch said.
CHA has long supported the overarching goals of the Government’s Support at Home reform program, which aims to expand the availability of high-quality in-home aged care services that allow people to age at home for longer.
CHA is working with Government and providers to maximise the success of the Support at Home program and acknowledges the continued bipartisan support of the program.
“It is important the transition to the new program is handled smoothly, otherwise there is a risk of disruption to patient care and gaps in service delivery. We must ensure we get this historic reform right,” said Mr Lynch.
CHA will continue to work with the Government, consumers and other stakeholders to ensure that the Support at Home program is rolled out effectively, sustainably, and in a way that delivers on its promise of better care for older Australians.
