The Minister made the pledge at the Aged Care Reform after the 2018 Federal Budget conference in Sydney, saying the Federal Government is working with industry and the Opposition on a bipartisan plan to increase funding.

Mr Hunt said aged care had “met its moment” as people enter aged care with increasing care needs and this needs to be reflected in the funding.

The aged care peaks have welcomed the statement, with Leading Age Services Australia (LASA) CEO Sean Rooney stating that prompt action is now required.

“LASA has been advocating strongly that the industry needs urgent funding relief to address the increasing demand for services and acuity of residents, while the work on longer term sustainable funding arrangements is being undertaken,” he said.

As we covered here, the peaks want $675 million for residential funding and $60 million for home care plus a more sustainable aged care funding strategy.