ACSA welcomes carbon tax assistance for aged care

Aged and Community Services Australia (ACSA) has welcomed government assistance for aged care providers to off-set costs associated with the carbon tax.

The Federal Government announced that the basic daily fee for a resident in an aged care facility would increase from 84% of the pension to 85%.

ACSA CEO Patrick McClure, AO said the proposed 1% increase was expected to cover costs including utilities and food.

“Our initial calculations based on the costs per resident, per day, shows that aged care providers should be able to meet additional costs resulting from the introduction of the carbon price,” Mr McClure said.

Mr McClure said the Government’s household assistance package would importantly also provide a buffer against rising living expenses for pensioners and other seniors not eligible for the pension.

Mr McClure said cost of living expenses for older Australians and those who provide their care and support was set to become a more significant issue with the forecast growth in the numbers of senior citizens.

“A cost of care study proposed by the Productivity Commission will be a critical initiative to help our industry set bench marks for costs and appropriate funding,” he said.

“The introduction of a carbon price has focused attention on a range of costs and the future of our country. Under any scenario the independence and well being of older Australians, their care and support, must be a primary consideration for government and the broader community.”

Media contact: Chris Hornsey 0419 513 432 chornsey@agedcare.org.au