This week’s 2024 – 2025 budget has seen a $2.2 billion in funding allocated for aged care, and looking at the overall picture it’s clear that the home care sector has received priority. An increase of 24,100 new Home Care Packages is good news for home care providers. An additional $1.2 billion is dedicated to creating modern digital systems that support the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home program over the next five years. there will certainly be upgrades to technology systems and infrastructure.
However, how does this budget support home care providers to digitise effectively in their ongoing efforts to be ready to meet the requirements of the new Aged Care Act and Support at Home Program? In a nutshell, all indications are that it doesn’t!
Fears that those at the coalface are left out with no support for new technology
There is currently very little detail in how the Federal Budget is distributing the $1.2B allocated to technology upgrades. Fears are that this funding will go directly to Government system upgrades over the needs of providers.
Aged care consultant, Jennene Buckley – co-founder of Enkindle sums up her frustrations.
On her “disappointing” list include the significant funds going into technology, digital infrastructure and supports to ensure system readiness for the new home care program and new Act “but no clear offer of funds to support aged care providers to upgrade their technology and digital infrastructure to ensure their success in implementing the new Act and Support at Home.”
She’s also disappointed there is no support for home care providers to improve their business process and long-term viability – like the Business Improvement Fund grants announced in the 20-21 budget available to small-to-medium residential aged care providers to improve.
This is a sensitive area for providers with many facing uncertainty and being unclear as to the expectations of the new Aged Care Act and Quality Standards. The government has indicated the new Act to pass Parliament in June, with the Bill hopefully introduced by September or October at the latest. This in turn will instigate roll out of the new Standards and providers will be left reviewing compliance and workflows. Further funding for new technology would be a boon for providers to ensure an easier transition to the many reforms.
Ms Buckley also shared concerns regarding the lack of funding support for home care providers:
“There has not been the same offer of support for home care providers. With only 13 months out from the new Support at Home and the new Act, I was hoping to see an injection of one-off financial support to enable home care providers to improve their systems and business processes to ensure they can be successful in 2025 and beyond.”
Providers must be proactive
CareLineLive is actively keeping abreast of aged care reform developments and doing their utmost to support current and potential new customers to be transition ready. It is apparent that it is going to be in the hands of providers to manage this change successfully.
Our Australian customers are using CareLineLive software to achieve outstanding care, support and business management. Elena Neale, Australian Regional Manager, understands the challenges faced by providers and states:
“The Australian home care landscape is on the brink of significant change with the introduction of the new Aged Care Act and the Support at Home Programm. As organisations prepare for this transition, challenges loom large. Navigating through new legislation, standards, and regulations is a complex task, with providers grappling with funding models, workforce planning, compliance, and the inevitability of digital transformation.”
Here, Elena explains the benefits of CareLineLive and how you can be ready to transition to the new ways of working by utilising the features that CareLineLive offers.
To discuss how CareLineLive can help your organisation become transition ready, contact us today.
