Caring for older Australians

The Productivity Commission inquiry report, released 8 August 2011, recommends a major overhaul of Australia’s aged care system to improve the wellbeing of older Australians and meet the challenges of an ageing population. Over one million older Australians receive aged care services. The range and quality of these services have improved over past decades, but more needs to be done. Future challenges include the increasing numbers and expectations of older people, a relative fall in the number of informal carers, and the need for more workers. By 2050, over 3.5 million Australians are expected to use aged care services each year. The aged care system suffers key weaknesses. It is difficult to navigate. Services are limited, as is consumer choice. Quality is variable. Coverage of needs, pricing, subsidies and user co-contributions are inconsistent or inequitable. Workforce shortages are exacerbated by low wages and some workers have insufficient skills. The Commission’s proposals address these weaknesses and challenges and aim to deliver higher quality care. The focus is on the wellbeing of older Australians — promoting their independence, giving them choice and retaining their community engagement. The overview booklet contains the key points, and an extensive summary of the Commission's analysis and recommendations. For the detailed supporting material, please view the full report from the Commission’s website.