Policy & Reform

Aged care promises not being realised: Watchdog

Aged Care Inspector-General Natalie Siegel-Brown says long waits, system complexity and co-payments are undermining the very reforms designed to help…

Strong demand for WA’s $100m aged care loans

Following strong interest in WA's $100m Aged Care Low Interest Loan Scheme, the Cook government to begin negotiations with eight…

$311m in Support at Home grants unlocked

The Federal Government has opened a third round of Support at Home Thin Markets grants, with more than $311 million…

Experts call for aged care redesign

Researchers from six countries say aged care systems must move beyond piecemeal reforms and redesign how services, workers and policymakers…

Tasmania ‘taking action’ on bed-block crisis

The Tasmanian Government is bringing additional beds online to ease pressure at Launceston General Hospital, while the Federal Government concedes…

Cross‑party bill forces IAT rethink

Senators have voted to reinstate human override in aged care assessments, marking the second intervention in aged care reforms, following…

New framework set to integrate care for older Australians

A new national framework aims to unify how care for older people is measured across aged care and health services,…

Informal carers deserve super: Council

A Super Members Council report shows more than one million Australians still miss out on compulsory super, with unpaid carers…

Senate inquiry warns against CHSP overhaul

A Senate inquiry has warned the government not to fold the CHSP into Support at Home, saying the move could…

Signed consent backtrack a win for aged care

The Albanese Government has walked back strict bulk‑billing consent rules after warnings they would disrupt GP access for aged‑care residents,…

Minns govt’s record $10b health budget

The Minns government has announced a $10.3b health overhaul, promising thousands of new staff, major service expansions and the largest…

Coercive control underrecognised in elder abuse

Researchers say current coercive‑control laws are too narrowly focused on intimate partner violence, leaving older people unprotected in situations where…

NSW acts on growing hospital bed block

Almost 1,300 patients across NSW are stuck in hospital beds despite being medically ready for discharge, with the state government…

Priority aged care access for MND

Australians living with motor neurone disease will be fast‑tracked into aged‑care services under new rules that give them priority access…

Senator questions Health’s budget underspend

Senator Anne Ruston has accused the federal government of hiding a $2.7bn “slush fund” after health officials were unable to…

Coalition intensifies criticism of aged care reforms

A 12‑month delay to Support at Home price caps has reignited political tensions, with the Coalition arguing that poor planning…

WA aged care bed numbers going backwards

The WA government has added 59 transition beds to support hospital discharges, but a recently released report highlights deeper structural…

Government delays Support at Home price caps

The federal government has delayed introducing price caps for the Support at Home program, citing market instability, while announcing new…

Australians wait 12 months for aged care

A new federal report shows older Australians are now waiting more than a year for aged care support, with experts…

“More to be done” for dementia

Dementia experts have welcomed the federal government’s funding boost for specialist programs but warn it must be matched by stronger,…

Budget 2026/27: Major gaps remain in aged care

Aged care providers and advocates have welcomed major Budget investments, including free personal care services and expanded dementia support, while…

Federal Budget: Everything we know so far

Strengthening the economy, tackling intergenerational inequity and building Australia’s resilience are among the key themes of the government’s forthcoming federal…

NSW launches inquiry into hospital bed block crisis

A landmark inquiry will examine why more than 900 elderly patients are stranded in NSW hospitals awaiting aged‑care placements, as…

Vic budget boosts aged care

The Victorian Budget delivers a sweeping $3.9 billion boost to the state’s health system, expanding aged care, hospital upgrades, emergency…

Sector responds to new $3bn aged care package

Aged‑care organisations have praised the government’s commitment to new beds, capital subsidies and expanded dementia services, but caution that long‑term…