Older Australians will be given more support to stay in their own home for longer under sweeping reforms to aged care.
The federal government has reached a deal with the Coalition as part of a $5.6 billion package.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said the changes would be the largest improvement in aged care in 30 years.
“This is about caring for the generation that cared for us,” he told reporters in Canberra on Thursday.
A home care package called Support at Home will come into effect from July next year and will help Australians live independently in their home with support before going into aged care.
It’s estimated that 1.4 million people will benefit from the program over a decade.
Support at Home will provide support for clinical care, such as nursing, and help with everyday tasks like cleaning.
A new lifetime contribution cap of $130,000 will apply for non-clinical care costs.
The federal government will pay all of the cost of clinical care services, while individuals will pay for services to do with everyday living and independence, with the amount being means tested.
Those using the Support at Home program could also get $25,000 in aid to spend their final three months at home, rather than at a hospital.
The aged care agreement will provide a no-worse-off principle for people already in aged care facilities.
New laws will also be introduced to protect the rights of Australians living in aged care, along with a regulator with investigative powers.
Under the changes, the annual growth on government spending for aged care will moderate from 5.7 per cent to 5.2 per cent.
For every $1 contributed per person in aged care, the federal government will chip in $3.30 on average to residential care and $7.80 for Support at Home.
This is a developing story and this article will be updated. Follow the latest from SBS News at www.sbs.com.au/news, or on the SBS News app available on iOS or Android.
