Aged Care Minister Anika Wells has announced infrastructure grants worth more than $600 million over four years to help aged care providers improve services.

The grants will be offered in two rounds this financial year under the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program.

In June, we reported that aged care providers are spending millions to house staff in regional and remote areas, and asked if Government incentives were required to fund worker housing. Now, it seems, they are.

The first round of grants will be focused on supporting providers in small rural towns, remote and very remote communities.

A second round of grant funding will open in the first half of 2024, and will broaden eligibility to all regional, rural, and remote locations.

The grants can be used for a range of purposes – from minor equipment purchases to building upgrades, extensions, and new buildings or purpose-built staff accommodation.

Information about the grants is available on GrantConnect (GO6593).

Applications for round one close Monday 12 January 2024 at 2pm (AEDT).