Placing older people at the heart of a sustainable aged care system
At a glance:
- Australia’s ageing population presents unprecedented challenges for the aged care sector, requiring urgent attention and sustainable solutions.
- Shifting policymaking towards a wellbeing-focused framework is crucial to address the diverse needs of older Australians and foster a more inclusive and equitable society.
- Advocating for adequate funding, workforce support, and policy reforms is needed to ensure quality care for all older Australians for generations to come.
Balancing priorities in uncertain times
In times of economic uncertainty, a steadfast commitment to do right by the people becomes paramount. Yet, defining what is “right” for the times is a nuanced task.
Balancing medium-term macroeconomic policies against the immediate concerns of a nation struggling with the ever-increasing costs of living is an essential ingredient of good government.
As the National Director of UnitingCare Australia – the national body for the Uniting Church’s community services network – I’ve witnessed firsthand the challenges and opportunities within Australia’s aged care sector throughout my career. Our policy priorities include advocating for ageing to our full potential, economic equality and inclusion, and justice for First Peoples. As a national advocate for social justice, we work across party lines to amplify the voices of the most vulnerable members of our community.
The UnitingCare Aged Care Network is the largest not-for-profit aged care provider in the country, offering support to approximately 97,000 older people.
Measuring what really matters
The government’s commitment to developing a national framework on wellbeing is commendable. Recognising that traditional economic indicators fail to capture the complete picture of Australia’s social and economic wellbeing is a crucial step forward.
As noted by the Treasurer in a piece he opined in The Monthly back in February last year, “To measure what matters is also to recognise a growing consensus from economists and investors that our economies need to embed and express more than one notion of value.”
The idea of a wellbeing framework to guide government policy making and to assess performance is not new. Many countries have adopted this approach to policy making and assessment.
The challenge before us is to change the way we think about the things that matter and how we value them.
Our belief in compassion and dignity for all people as they age drives our advocacy for a future-proof aged care system that is flexible, adaptable, and responsive to change.
Over the last three years, our commitment has been demonstrated through various initiatives, including giving evidence to the Royal Commission into Aged Care, alongside several successful campaigns, including Time to Care about Aged Care, resulting in significant government investment.
Applying a wellbeing lens to the things that matter
Undoubtedly, Australia’s aged care sector faces one of its most challenging times in history. With our rapidly ageing population – projected to reach 8.8 million older Australians by 2057- the strain on the current system is palpable. The current crisis in care quality and accessibility underscores the urgent need for systemic reforms.
For too long, policy discussions have been dominated by economic considerations. Boosting the health and prosperity of all people, rather than simply the economy, has been increasingly acknowledged as a more valuable way to achieve national progress.
While challenging, shifting away from an economy-first lens in policymaking to a more holistic view is essential. The adoption of a wellbeing framework offers a new perspective, demanding a recalibration of our priorities and values. It’s not about ignoring economic indicators, but rather balancing them against social indicators to achieve a more holistic approach to policymaking.
Delivering equitable and sustainable aged care for all: A call to action
The 2023 Intergenerational Report underscores the urgent need for government investment in care and support systems.
The forthcoming National Strategy for the Care and Support Economy also represents genuine recognition of the sector’s significant contribution, in both social and economic terms, to the welfare of the nation.
Its promise to lay out a roadmap for enabling a sustainable and productive sector offers real potential for the Government to practically deliver on the care and support needs and expectations of all Australians.
Meaningful reforms, coupled with adequate funding and support for aged care workers, are essential for ensuring quality care for all older Australians.
Despite positive advances, including the recent wage increases for direct care workers, systemic issues within the sector persist.
Delays in the release of Home Care Packages and the implementation of the new Aged Care Act pose significant challenges for older Australians and service providers alike.
Policy proposals
In our 2024-25 Pre-Budget Submission, we’re presenting three impactful ideas to provide immediate relief and long-term well-being improvements for Australians.
This includes urging the government to prioritise the delivery of quality aged care to all older Australians who need it, by an appropriately valued and paid workforce.
Our first proposal calls for:
- Ensure aged care funding is adequate and sustainable.
- Fully fund all aspects of the Fair Work Commission’s wage determinations, including on-costs and leave entitlements, to deliver a wage increase for indirect and direct care workers.
- Restore the number of Home Care Packages being released back to 40,000 per annum.
- Ensure there are appropriate transitional arrangements to allow aged care providers to adjust to the new Aged Care Act.
By redefining our metrics of success and investing in sustainable aged care solutions, we can ensure a brighter future for generations to come.
Making these types of societal measures an essential feature of the broader discourse about the state of the nation is critical if we want to ensure we measure and value the things that matter.
Claerwen Little is the National Director of UnitingCare Australia.