The Australian Government is delivering more aged care beds where they are needed most, as soon as possible, ensuring older Australians can access the world-class care they deserve.
Today, we announce the results of the second of four expressions of interest (EOIs) opened by the government earlier this year through the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP).
Labor’s investment of $25.9 million across six aged care homes in the Illawarra will unlock opportunities to build and open more beds where demand is most significant.
The projects include a mix of expansions to existing homes and targeted upgrades that will bring additional beds online even faster. These investments all represent strong value for money and demonstrate how targeted efforts like this can unlock projects capable of rapidly increasing the supply of high-quality care for older people.
These initiatives have a strong focus on supporting older people with higher and more complex care needs including dementia, who can often struggle to find appropriate residential aged care supports.
The results from the remaining EOIs relating to the Hunter and Perth will be made available in shortly.
Home name | Location | Project type | New beds | Grant ($) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Warrigal Mt Terry | Albion Park | Expansion | 22 | $10 million |
Uniting Farmborough | Unanderra | Expansion | 20 | $7.3 million |
Hillside at Figtree | Figtree | Expansion | 20 | $4 million |
Marco Polo Woonona Aged Care Centre | Woonona | Expansion & upgrade | 4 | $1.8 million |
IRT Woonona Aged Care Centre | Woonona | Expansion & upgrade | 4 | $1.5 million |
IRT Tarrawanna Aged Care Centre | Tarrawanna | Expansion & upgrade | 3 | $1.3 million |
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Health, Disability and Ageing, Hon. Mark Butler MP:
“The Albanese Government’s record investments to increase the supply of aged care beds in the system is delivering, and it’s fantastic this latest round of funding will mean an extra 73 beds, in the Illawarra.”
“We know the challenge we face to increase bed capacity in our health and aged care systems, and that is why we’re investing so strongly to expand supply, as quickly as possible.”
Quotes attributable to the Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Hon. Sam Rae MP:
“The Albanese Government is on a mission to deliver more beds, faster and in the places they are most needed – we’re delivering on this promise with more beds to be available in the Illawarra across six aged care homes.
“This announcement is yet another step in our methodical work to take pressure off state-run hospitals and move quickly to identify areas where bed capacity is most urgently needed.
“We want every older Australian in the Illawarra to access the care they need, closer to home. That’s exactly why we’re making these crucial investments to improve access as quickly as possible.
“We’ve already invested $1 billion in aged care capital through ACCAP – more than any previous government – and we’ll continue to invest in aged care supply as our population ages and demand increases.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Cunningham, Alison Byrnes MP:
“Our region has been experiencing a critical shortage of aged care beds for too long.
“That’s why I am so delighted that the Albanese Labor Government is investing $25.9 million across our region to deliver 73 new aged care beds.
“I have been working closely across government, community and the aged care sector to find solutions to the bed block issues we are facing.
“These new beds will help ensure local people can age with dignity and receive quality care, close to home and close to their families.
“We came to government with significant issues across the health and aged care sector in particular. I have been heartened at the collaborative approach by NSW Health Minister and Member for Keira Ryan Park, Member for Wollongong Paul Scully, the local health district, the aged care sector, and the community sector with advocates like Val Fell, the Illawarra Aged Care Taskforce, Regional Development Australia (RDA) Illawarra Shoalhaven, and the Community Industry Group.
“Together, we have secured substantial state and federal government investment into our region which is making a difference.
“We know there’s more to do, and I’ll keep working closely with Ministers Sam Rae and Mark Butler, Carol Berry and Fiona Phillips, as well as with the state government and the community sector to deliver the support our community needs.”
Quotes attributable to the Member for Whitlam, Carol Berry MP:
“This funding will turn shovel-ready projects into urgently needed aged care places, giving more locals the opportunity to receive quality care in the communities they’ve spent their life building.
“Alison Byrnes, Fiona Phillips and I have been lobbying hard for our region, and we’re grateful to Minister Rae for hearing our advocacy that our region needs more beds urgently to address our bed blocking challenge in the Illawarra Shoalhaven.
“In my electorate of Whitlam, I am very pleased our government will be partnering with Warrigal to deliver an additional 22 beds in Albion Park. This is a win for older people and families in my electorate who have been calling for more aged care places close to home.
“These additional beds will not only support older residents with complex care and dementia needs, but they will also help ease pressure on families, frontline workers and our local hospitals.”
