Senate Community Affairs Legislation Committee, , 2:16:18 to 2:19:59
Overview of the removal of co-contributions for personal care services under the Support at Home program to improve dignity and access for older Australians.
Topics: Social services, Health
Speakers: Mr Josh Maldon, Unknown Speaker, Ms Sonja Stewart
So on the 1st of October, there was a significant change in terms of the um government funding for uh the category of services for personal care, uh, which includes things such as um showering uh incontinence and um some of the wound dressing, and I'll hand over to my colleagues to go into more details about that.
Josh Melvin, uh Acting First Assistant Secretary reform implementation. So, in respect of personal care implementation, so uh following the implementation of implementation of age care reforms in November last year, uh this is one of those examples where Australian government and the department continue to engage with the sector to understand uh the impacts of the reforms and where there are opportunities to improve the aged care system for older people. One of the things that we heard uh for some people is that the contribution required for personal care was not affordable, and so that was therefore potentially impacting on their ability to access it and therefore maintain dignity and choice. Um government committed one billion dollars over four years from 26-27 to remove that contribution and as of 1st of October 2026, people are now no longer required to pay. Um effectively that was progressive because it's got several significant benefits for older people. So, firstly removing financial concerns is a potential barrier. and functional decline. So it results in better health, uh health and well-being outcomes for people. So it's an about the Australian government's uh intent of the policy of support at home program to keep people living in homes for longer and preventing that deterioration that could lead to people providing um if they're required to get higher levels of care. And one of the benefits in this particular initiative is that it strengthened consumer competence in the ability of the government to listen and respond to the concerns as we roll out implementation of the reforms. Not sure, Eric, uh if uh my colleague Ms. Barnett has anything further to add.
Uh good morning, Senator Erica Barnett, Acting Assistant Secretary Reform Implementation Division. and so they haven't had to make contributions towards this. But then as more people enter the system and people who were approved after that period in uh September 2024,