Retirement
Aged care policy changes a budget possibility
With the aged care space having undergone a number of major reviews recently, one aged care advice specialist predicts the government may introduce new policies for aged care services in the budget.
Aged care policy changes a budget possibility
With the aged care space having undergone a number of major reviews recently, one aged care advice specialist predicts the government may introduce new policies for aged care services in the budget.

Aged Care Steps director Louise Biti said there were seven major reviews done on aged care last year, and there are still some reviews in process this year.
“The government is yet to release any policies from any of those yet because they are still formulating that,” said Ms Biti.
Ms Biti said there will be further changes in the future in this space, and some of these may appear in the upcoming May budget.
“I don't know what they're going to come up with, but there are a few changes I would take a punt on but all of them will be focused on greater contribution by the user or at least a more equitable contribution by some consumers,” she explained.

“I would bet on there being a couple of small things in this years' budget. There may be some reforms around helping the aged care sector have better visibility on how they manage their businesses and the viability of their businesses.”
Ms Biti predicts that the government will continue to shift its allocation of funds towards home care, because for every person that they fund in residential care, they can fund around two to three home care packages.
“So they can get a much better reach, it's more flexible, because you don't have to have people all in one location, they can be anywhere in Australia. There is still a lot of work to be done on the home care side,” she said.
Ms Biti said there are currently 50,000 home care packages in the market, and there’s roughly another 50,000 people on the waiting list with no packages and another 35,000 on that waiting list with a package lower than they would like and need.
“If the government was to say well we'll just throw enough money to fund all of those, they'd need over another billion dollars. There's no way they're going to do that,” she said.
“So some of the things the government will need to do is look at how do we shift more of that cost back to consumers, how do we make sure that the packages that consumers have got aren't just being stripped out with fees, and getting more competition in the space as well.”

Retirement Planning
Majority of Australians anxious about retirement as super knowledge gaps persist, report finds
A new study by Aware Super has revealed that a significant majority of Australians aged 45 and over are feeling anxious about retirement, with nearly nine in ten respondents concerned they will run ...Read more

Retirement Planning
AMP’s MyNorth Lifetime boosts financial security and retirement income
AMP has reported that its MyNorth Lifetime retirement income solution is delivering significant financial benefits to retirees, with an average uplift of 50% in total income. Read more

Retirement Planning
Retirement living sector calls for planning reforms amid declining construction confidence
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is urging governments to streamline planning systems to boost housing supply, following a decline in confidence in age-friendly construction activity. Read more

Retirement Planning
New laws to boost women's retirement savings through paid parental leave
The Australian Parliament has passed new legislation that will see superannuation guarantee contributions paid on the Commonwealth Government's Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme. Read more

Retirement Planning
Planning systems under scrutiny as Australia's ageing population grows
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has called for governments to address planning system shortfalls in preparation for Australia's ageing population, following the release of new data from the ...Read more

Retirement Planning
Retirement Living Council calls for focus on seniors' housing as population ages
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has urged governments across Australia to prioritise age-friendly housing solutions in response to new data revealing an ageing population. Read more

Retirement Planning
Macquarie University study reveals benefits of guaranteed income in retirement
A new study by Macquarie University's School of Psychological Sciences has found that mental health, enjoyment, and financial security are key benefits of incorporating guaranteed income and annuities ...Read more

Retirement Planning
Retirement villages offer affordable housing amid market crisis, study finds
Retirement villages are providing a significantly more affordable housing option for older Australians compared to the traditional property market, according to new data released today. Read more

Retirement Planning
Majority of Australians anxious about retirement as super knowledge gaps persist, report finds
A new study by Aware Super has revealed that a significant majority of Australians aged 45 and over are feeling anxious about retirement, with nearly nine in ten respondents concerned they will run ...Read more

Retirement Planning
AMP’s MyNorth Lifetime boosts financial security and retirement income
AMP has reported that its MyNorth Lifetime retirement income solution is delivering significant financial benefits to retirees, with an average uplift of 50% in total income. Read more

Retirement Planning
Retirement living sector calls for planning reforms amid declining construction confidence
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is urging governments to streamline planning systems to boost housing supply, following a decline in confidence in age-friendly construction activity. Read more

Retirement Planning
New laws to boost women's retirement savings through paid parental leave
The Australian Parliament has passed new legislation that will see superannuation guarantee contributions paid on the Commonwealth Government's Paid Parental Leave (PPL) scheme. Read more

Retirement Planning
Planning systems under scrutiny as Australia's ageing population grows
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has called for governments to address planning system shortfalls in preparation for Australia's ageing population, following the release of new data from the ...Read more

Retirement Planning
Retirement Living Council calls for focus on seniors' housing as population ages
The Retirement Living Council (RLC) has urged governments across Australia to prioritise age-friendly housing solutions in response to new data revealing an ageing population. Read more

Retirement Planning
Macquarie University study reveals benefits of guaranteed income in retirement
A new study by Macquarie University's School of Psychological Sciences has found that mental health, enjoyment, and financial security are key benefits of incorporating guaranteed income and annuities ...Read more

Retirement Planning
Retirement villages offer affordable housing amid market crisis, study finds
Retirement villages are providing a significantly more affordable housing option for older Australians compared to the traditional property market, according to new data released today. Read more