Leaders unite for funding fix

Aged care industry leaders have spoken out at a major industry event about the need for improved long-term funding.

Addressing almost 250 delegates at his association’s annual state congress, Aged and Community Care Victoria CEO, Gerard Mansour challenged all governments to find the funds to support a sustainable industry as the population ages.

Mr Mansour said funding would have a big impact on the ability of providers to attract and retain staff.

“In Victoria, by 2016 our workforce will grow by 18 per per cent and yet our industry must recruit at double this rate – 37 per cent,” he said.

“So the annual funding adjustment becomes a critical issue.”

National aged care leaders also joined in the call for fresh thinking about the viability of ageing services.

Aged Care Association Australia (ACAA) CEO, Rod Young told the conference that aged care policy and planning was hampered because the Commonwealth Government controls demand, supply and the price of aged care places.

“By 2050 we will be more costly for the government than defence and education, and they are going to look at us as a problem child,” Mr Young said.

As more residents entered with high care classifications, there was a need for innovative ways of funding capital growth, he added.

Aged and Community Services Australia CEO, Greg Mundy said his group was working closely with the ACAA to address these issues under the umbrella of the Aged Care Industry Council.

“There is a long list of funding issues where we do have things in common and we are working on these constantly and constructively, for the benefit of all,” Mr Mundy said.