Aged care
This campaign aims to build a better aged care system with an emphasis on improving access to home care.
The issue
Ongoing staffing, quality, compliance and financial transparency issues undermine confidence in the care sector.
What we're calling for
We are calling for an exemption from the Aged Pension means test for home care recipients who downsize their home and for an exemption from the income test for pensioners who work in aged care.
The benefits
A safer and adequately resourced aged care sector will ensure older Australians have confidence in the care system.
Extra home care packages
In 2020 alone, there were an additional 29,105 Home Care Packages released at a cost of almost $2 billion. In total, there has been an extra 73,105 Home Care Packages released at a cost of $4.6 billion since the 2018-19 Budget thanks to our pressure on the federal government. We will continue to call for more high-level packages to meet the high demand; and for government to act quickly on the recommendations of the aged care royal commission.
National elder abuse plan
In 2016, we made a range of recommendations for action on elder abuse. A new national plan to tackle elder abuse was released in 2019. We continue to promote reforms to improve protections for older people including a national register for Enduring Powers of Attorney.
Keeping people at home
We care calling for an exemption from the aged care assets test for home care recipients when downsizing to more age-appropriate housing.
Let Pensioners Work
We are calling for a trial of changes to pension and government payment rules to give a greater incentive to work in the Health Care and Social Assistance sector.
Minister for Older Australians
National Seniors Australia is calling for a dedicated Minister within the federal government to champion the diverse issues facing older Australians, such as discrimination, elder abuse, retirement income, health care and aged care.
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Current submissions
Through our access to policy-makers and the support of our members, we're able to make a difference. Check out our current submissions.
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National Seniors is the leading not-for-profit organisation fighting for a fair go for older Australians.
We rely on people like you to donate so we can continue to tackle issues such as age discrimination, accessible housing, pension poverty, health costs, aged care, improve retirement income and provide more home care places so that older Australians can live safely and make ends meet.
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