Release date: 23 Oct 2020

As the Royal Commission begins work on its final report, Aged & Community Services Australia (ACSA) has welcomed the opportunity for the report’s final recommendations to provide a framework for big picture reform for the sector, rather than ongoing band-aid solutions.

ACSA CEO Patricia Sparrow said she was hopeful the Royal Commission’s final report findings would bring about the real, lasting reform the aged care system needs.

“The Royal Commission provides a significant opportunity for a re-set of aged care so it meets our growing expectations for how older Australians live and are supported in the twenty-first century,” she said.

“This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to find solutions to support better health and quality of life outcomes for older Australians , now and in the future.

“ACSA welcomes the recommendations for new rights-based legislation and creating a demand- driven aged care system.

“The recommendations that support the workforce are important, because we need more workers in aged care. We need measures that help retain good workers across the sector, better train them and help attract new people who can make their contribution.

“Importantly, the financial pressures aged care providers are operating under has been recognised by Counsel Assisting. The public financing of such a system is still under consideration but is absolutely critical to deliver on the promise of these recommendations.

“While further consideration of the full suite of the Royal Commission’s recommendations and reform is needed, the Counsel Assisting’s Final Submission puts the Royal Commission on track to better set up Australia for our ageing population and the decades to come,” Ms Sparrow said.

Media contact: Jane Garcia 0455 111 593