Older Australians will continue to languish on waiting lists to access aged care despite federal government reforms to the sector, an industry watchdog says. or signup to continue reading As a federal parliamentary committee looks into the government's multibillion-dollar package, Aged Care Inspector-General Ian Yates says there are still concerns with the overhaul. Under the reforms, a $4.
3 billion program called the Support at Home scheme would allow the government to cover clinical care costs to allow for people to live independently in their homes for longer, before going into an aged-care facility. It's estimated 1.4 million Australians will benefit from the changes expected to come into effect from July next year, after the government struck a deal with the coalition on the changes.
Mr Yates told the committee he was supportive of the reform, but it fell short of some of the calls put forward at the 2018-2021 aged care royal commission. "The bill and the government's announcements of Support at Home do go a very substantial way toward a better system, but it will still leave people on waiting lists," he told the committee inquiry into the program on Thursday. "We have some questions and uncertainty about the degree to which it enables individuals to exercise (the rights of older Australians) and the clarity of the process.
" People will still have to make means-tested contributions for help as part of everyday living or support around the house as part of the Support at .
