UnitingCare welcomes the opportunity to respond to the Productivity Commission’s Interim Report on Delivering Quality Care More Efficiently, building on our earlier input shared as part of the 5 Pillars Inquiry and the Economic Reform Roundtable consultation.

UnitingCare Australia supports productivity with purpose, understanding that productivity is not an end in itself, but a means to improve quality of life. To unlock the full potential of Australia’s people and economy, we must invest in the conditions that enable everyone to thrive. This requires a human-centred productivity agenda that values:

• Wellbeing as a key outcome of productivity
• Resilience as a foundation for sustained growth
• Inclusion as a driver of both equity and efficiency.

From this approach, we broadly support the Productivity Commission’s recommendations in the Interim Report, which if well designed and in consultation with the sector, have the potential to increase efficiencies through regulatory harmonisation—including the streamlining of various standards, accreditations and registrations.

We also endorse the Interim Report’s direction in seeking to reduce fragmentation, complexity and inefficiency across government systems more broadly.

We commend the focus on prevention. Evidence shows that preventative investment—in health, education, social services and community infrastructure—delivers high returns by reducing downstream costs and enabling people to participate fully in society and the economy.

Overall, we regard this Inquiry as a timely and important opportunity to shape a more person centred care system—balancing structural reform opportunities with the lived realities of those who provide and receive care, whilst also ensuring that human dignity and social value are placed firmly at the centre of productivity discussions.

Download the PDF to read our submission in full.

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.

We give voice to the Uniting Church’s commitment to social justice through advocacy and by strengthening community service provision.

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

We focus on articulating and meeting the needs of people at all stages of life, and particularly those most vulnerable.