If you were not at the Aged and Community Care Providers Association (ACCPA)’s National Conference last week, you missed a significant presentation by the Minister of Aged Care and Sport.

You can read the transcript of the full speech here.

Minister Wells (pictured above right with ACCPA CEO Tom Symondson) confirmed that she remains “ambitious for aged care” on the reform front – but promised aged care providers that they would be rewarded if they “keep the faith”.

“We stand at the threshold of a once in a generation opportunity to make our sector sustainable, strong and ready for a new era,” she stated.

The Minister pledged that the sector would see further positive change with the future system to be “more streamlined” in terms of regulation and compliance – a key complaint for operators.

Critically, there was recognition of the need for aged care providers to achieve a return in order to remain financially viable – with Minister Wells speaking in much clearer, commercial terms than she has ever done before publicly.

“It’s clear there needs to be an injection of funds in both the home and residential sector to ensure we have viable providers that can meet increasing demand and expectations for the years and decades to come,” she stated.

The Taskforce’s analysis identifies a range of issues with the current funding arrangements:

• "We need better ways to attract more capital into the sector to allow you to refurbish old facilities and build new ones.
• We need to ensure you’re getting enough funding for hotelling services and accommodation.
• We need to address a badly designed, overly complicated user contribution system that in Home Care, for example, currently delivers just 2.5% of total funding.
• We need to make sure funding changes are transparent and easy to understand – for older people and for providers.
• And, we need to make sure aged care is set up not only to survive but to thrive for the years and decades to come.

"These are the challenges the Taskforce are working hard to solve.”

There was also a new tone of respect for the sector and the aged care peak body, with ACCPA CEO Tom Symondson singled out for praise.

“Without disclosing confidential deliberations, I’ll say you can be very satisfied with Tom’s evidence-based advocacy for your interests.”

“We may not always agree but we always pull up short of hurling morning tea pastries at each other.”

It’s a significant turn-around from just four years ago when the Aged Care Royal Commission released its Interim Report titled ‘Neglect’ which presented a scathing appraisal of Australia’s aged care system, leaving providers feeling disillusioned with its outcomes.

Speaking to operators today, many are keen to innovate and develop new products and services – but are struggling to not only find the cash to fund these initiatives but also motivate their staff, who are tired and overwhelmed after years of reforms and dealing with the COVID-19 pandemic.

With the Aged Care Taskforce due to present its Final Report to Government next month, the Minister’s speech suggests that despite these challenges, aged care operators should feel optimistic for the future sustainability of their businesses – and that there is a light at the end of the tunnel.