UnitingCare Australia has welcomed the Government’s announcement of an additional $115 million to deliver more residential aged care beds in high‑pressure regions. It is a positive step in the right direction.

“This funding is a welcome and important step toward addressing the severe shortage of aged care beds in communities under the greatest strain,” said Tamara Thomas, National Director of UnitingCare Australia.

However, UnitingCare Australia is cautious that the scale of the problem far exceeds this single funding round.

“UnitingCare Australia’s aged care providers know this investment is crucial,” Ms Thomas said. “But without continued investment, and a stronger focus on fairness, the older people who are most disadvantaged may still miss out on the care they need.”

“Access to aged care should not be shaped by postcode, income and circumstance,” Jenny Hall, Chief Executive Officer of Uniting SA said. “Equity must be at the centre of every aged care decision. We know just how important it is for people to access quality aged care when and where they need it.”

Looking ahead to the Federal Budget, UnitingCare Australia urges the Government to move beyond repeated crisis responses and invest in long‑term structural fixes that build a high-quality aged care system that vulnerable older people can rely on.

About UnitingCare Australia

UnitingCare Australia is the national body for the Uniting Church’s community services network and an agency of the Assembly of the Uniting Church in Australia. Through advocacy and by strengthening service provision, UnitingCare Australia gives voice to the Uniting Church’s commitment to social justice.

The UnitingCare Network is the largest network of social service providers in Australia, delivering 5.8 million interactions annually across 1,600 service locations in urban, rural, and remote communities, with over 55,000 staff and 17,000 volunteers.