Between 1 June 2023 until 9 February 2024, Australia's residential aged care sector only grew by 520 new places, according to new data from the Department of Health and Aged Care.
The data, which was released in response to questions posed in Senate Estimates by the Shadow Minister for Aged Care, Anne Ruston, shows that in total, 1,633 beds were added to the system, while 1,113 beds closed.
Earlier data showed that only 1,674 new beds were added to the system in 2023. The year before, it was only 860. The information confirms that the pace of new bed construction could be slowing, just as two million Australians are set to turn 80 in the next ten years.
The data also highlights the continued consolidation of the sector with 16 aged care homes opening during the nine-month period, but 23 homes closed - a net loss of seven aged care homes.
The homes that closed were:
- Benetas Lovell House, Vic
- Carinity Summit Cottages, Qld
- Percy Baxter Lodges, Vic
- Brightwater Joondalup, WA
- Brightwater Huntingdale, WA
- Brightwater South Lake, WA
- Bupa Dovale, Vic
- Japara Central Park, Vic
- Catholic Healthcare Mt Mary's Villa, NSW
- Adelene Court Hostel, NSW
- Churches of Christ Amaroo Aged Care Service, Qld
- Churches of Christ Petrie Gardens Aged Care Service, Qld
- Churches of Christ Woorim Aged Care Service, Qld
- Canning Lodge, WA
- Estia Health Benalla, Vic
- Estia Health Bendigo, Vic
- May Noonan Centre, Vic
- Chomley House Hostel, Vic
- Snowy River Hostel, NSW
- Southern Cross Care Moama Residential Aged Care, NSW
- Blue Care Bundaberg Millbank Aged Care Facility, Qld
- Wesley Taylor, NSW
- Wesley Vickery, NSW
The trend is also seen in recent Sector Performance Report data from the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission (ACQSC), which shows that as of 30 September 2023, there were 750 aged care providers operating 2,622 homes, compared with 811 providers operating 2,671 homes as of 30 June 2022.
You can find the Department's responses to Senator Ruston's questions here.
