Record infrastructure funding and aged care boost

Senator the Hon Richard Colbeck

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services

Minister for Sport

Senior Australians in regional and remote areas will benefit from the single largest investment in residential aged care infrastructure in Australia’s history.

A total of $150 million in capital grants has been allocated following the conclusion of the competitive 2020 Aged Care Approvals Round (ACAR).

This substantial investment by the Australian Government has funded 72 infrastructure projects worth, on average, $2.1 million each.

Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Richard Colbeck, said the investment reflects the Morrison Government’s commitment to greater respect, care and dignity for senior Australians no matter where they live.

“Investing in aged care infrastructure means we can improve the quality and safety of residential aged care from the ground up,” Minister Colbeck said.

“Safe, secure and comfortable residential care homes, designed around the needs of residents, provide the foundation for our five-pillar, five-year aged care reform plan.”

The 2020 ACAR also includes the allocation of over 4000 residential care places and more than 1000 short-term restorative care places worth a combined $380 million a year.

Minister Colbeck said most of these new places will take effect immediately or within the next 18 months.

“I’m delighted with the response by providers that demonstrated their capacity to fast-track the delivery of quality care to senior Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.

“As a result, twice as many residential care places have been allocated than were made available for allocation”.

Priority locations were also a focus, with more than half of the new places allocated to areas most in need, including in regional and remote Australia.

Information about the 2020 ACAR outcomes, including details of the successful providers is available on the Australian Government Department of Health website.

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