Lyla Lindsey
Australia has a wide range of aged care homes, funded by the Australian government, to provide care and support services to those in need. These homes offer a variety of services, including everyday tasks, personal care, and nursing care, to meet the individual needs of their residents. As of 30 June 2024, there were 223,691 operational places allocated to residential care services, with an average of around 75 beds per facility. The availability of these services varies, with most aged care homes located in metropolitan areas, where a majority of older Australians reside. The Australian government subsidises these homes to ensure affordable access, with each home setting its own prices within a prescribed limit.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Number of aged care beds in Australia | 223,691 (as of 30 June 2024) |
| Average number of beds per facility | 75 |
| Number of facilities | 2,672 |
| Occupancy rate | 88% (2023-24) |
| Historical average number of beds | 30 |
| Percentage of facilities with more than 60 beds (as of 2013) | 48.6% |
| Percentage of facilities with 20 or fewer beds (government-run) | 22% |
| Percentage of privately-run residential places with more than 100 beds | 49% |
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What You'll Learn
Aged care beds in Australia are funded by the government
Australia's aged care system provides support to hundreds of thousands of people, with the government subsidising a range of aged care homes across the country. This ensures that affordable care and support services are accessible to those who need them. The Australian Government provides funding for approved aged care service providers, which can include facilities that offer home care, residential care, or home support services.
Residential and flexible care services are allocated a set number of government-funded places or beds. As of 30 June 2024, there were 223,691 operational places allocated to residential care services, with an average of around 75 beds per facility. The availability of aged care services varies across different areas, with most services located in metropolitan areas. This aligns with the population distribution, as 66% of older Australians (aged 65 and over) live in metropolitan areas, while only 1.5% live in remote or very remote communities.
The government funding for aged care homes is based on an assessment of the individual's care needs and their ability to contribute financially to their care and accommodation costs. This means that each person's situation is considered to determine the level of government support they will receive. The funding is paid directly to the aged care home, and the homes set their own prices within a prescribed limit.
The Australian Government also recognises the specific needs of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, offering aged care services to First Nations people from the age of 50. This is due to the health and social disadvantages faced by these communities, which result in a lower life expectancy compared to their non-Indigenous counterparts.
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Aged care homes provide support with everyday tasks
As of 30 June 2024, there were 223,691 operational places allocated to residential care services in Australia, with an occupancy rate of 88% through 2023–24. The Australian government subsidises a range of aged care homes, making affordable care and support services accessible to those in need. Aged care homes provide a homely environment with hotel-type services designed to meet your day-to-day needs, including care and support, accommodation, and everyday tasks.
Everyday tasks that aged care homes help with include meals, laundry, and social activities. They also help with personal care, such as bathing, eating, taking medication, and carrying out health treatments. Clinical care is also provided according to individual needs, including special bedding, nursing services, and therapy services such as speech therapy, podiatry, and physiotherapy. Aged care homes also provide support for your health, wellbeing, social life, and safety.
Each aged care home is different, so it is important to choose the one that best suits your needs. Your room will be fitted with essential furniture, such as an appropriate bed, bedding, a bedside table, wardrobe/drawers, armchairs, and toiletries. You will be able to personalise your room with small items like photos or keepsakes, and you may even bring some small pieces of furniture, like a favourite chair or your desktop computer.
During the 2023–24 financial year, most residential aged care services in Australia experienced a COVID-19 outbreak, with the government continuing to support the aged care sector in responding to the outbreaks.
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Aged care facilities are getting bigger
Australia's aged care facilities are getting bigger and less home-like. The country's aged-care system has been criticised for not caring about older people's emotional needs. Evidence shows that aged care residents have better well-being when given opportunities for self-determination and independence. Internationally, there has been a move towards smaller living units where the design encourages this. These facilities feel more like a home than a hospital. The World Health Organisation has indicated that such models of care, where residents are also involved in running the facility, have advantages for older people, families, volunteers, and care workers, and improve the quality of care.
In the US, the Green House Project has built more than 185 homes with around 10-12 residents in each. Studies show that Green House residents' quality of life is enhanced without compromising clinical care or running costs. However, in Australia, financial viability, rather than the quality of care, has driven the increase in the size of aged care facilities. Historically, nursing homes in Australia were small facilities, with around 30 beds each, often run as family businesses or provided by not-for-profit organisations. Between 2002 and 2013, the proportion of facilities with more than 60 beds doubled to 48.6%.
Today, around 45% of facilities are operated by the private for-profit sector, 40% by religious and charitable organisations, 13% by community-based organisations, 3% by state and territory governments, and less than 1% by local governments. Almost half (49%) of privately-run residential places are found in services with more than 100 places. This means that more older Australians are living out their last days in an institutional environment. Once larger facilities become the norm, it will be difficult to undo. Capital infrastructure is built to have an average 40-year life, which will lock in the institutional model of aged care.
The Australian Government subsidises a range of aged care homes in Australia. This means affordable care and support services can be accessed by those who need them. The subsidies are paid directly to the aged care home. The amount of funding that a home receives is based on an assessment of the care needs of the resident by a residential aged care funding assessor and how much the resident can afford to contribute to the cost of their care and accommodation (using a means assessment). To get the funding, subsidised aged care homes have to meet Aged Care Quality Standards to ensure quality care and services are provided. Each home sets its own prices, within a prescribed limit, and costs will vary.
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Aged care services vary by location and care type
Aged care services in Australia vary depending on location and care type. The Australian government subsidises a range of aged care homes, making affordable care and support services accessible to those in need. These services are typically provided by an aged care provider or organisation, which may operate across different aged care programs.
The availability of aged care services differs between remoteness areas and care types, with most services located in metropolitan areas. As of 30 June 2024, 66% of older Australians (aged 65+) lived in Metropolitan areas, 9.5% in Regional centres, 23% in Rural towns, and only 1.5% in Remote or Very remote communities.
The cost of aged care services varies from person to person, depending on factors such as the type of care, the chosen provider, and the individual's financial situation. The Australian government may contribute financially, but those who can afford to pay will be asked to do so.
There are several types of aged care services available, including help at home, short-term care, and aged care homes. Home support outlets and services providing home care, residential care, transition care, and short-term restorative care are usually concentrated in more densely populated urban areas. Residential and flexible care services are allocated a set number of government-funded places, while home support outlets and home care services are not.
Aged care homes can assist with everyday tasks, personal care, and nursing care. They provide a room with furnishings and bedding, meals, laundry, social activities, and maintenance of the facility. Personal care includes assistance with bathing, eating, medication, and health treatments. Clinical care is also provided according to individual needs, such as special bedding, nursing services, and therapies like speech therapy, podiatry, and physiotherapy.
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Aged care homes are subsidised by the government
Australia's aged population can benefit from a range of government-subsidised aged care homes. These subsidies ensure that older people can access affordable and necessary care and support services. The Australian Government subsidises a range of aged care homes, providing funding directly to the care homes themselves. This funding is based on an assessment of the care needs of each individual and how much they can afford to contribute to their care. This means that the amount that individuals will pay depends on their income and assets.
The government's funding covers the costs of everyday tasks, personal care, and nursing care. This includes the provision of a room with furnishings and bedding, meals, laundry, and social activities. It also covers the maintenance of the aged care home, including cleaning, heating and cooling, and upkeep of the grounds and building. Additionally, personal care services such as bathing, eating assistance, medication management, and health treatments are included. Clinical care is also provided according to individual needs, encompassing special bedding, nursing services, and therapy such as speech therapy, podiatry, and physiotherapy.
The Australian Government supports approved aged care service providers, which may operate multiple services across different aged care programs. Residential care services are allocated a set number of government-funded places. As of 30 June 2024, there were 223,691 operational places allocated to residential care services, with an occupancy rate of 88% through 2023-24.
To access government-funded aged care services, individuals can turn to My Aged Care, a government-established service that helps people find and access suitable aged care homes. This service also assists individuals in understanding the costs and fees associated with aged care homes. Typically, there are three types of costs: a basic daily fee, a means-tested care fee, and accommodation costs. It is important to note that additional hotel-type services offered by some aged care homes are not subsidised by the government and are paid for separately.
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Frequently asked questions
As of 30 June 2024, there were 223,691 operational places allocated to residential care services in Australia, with an average of around 75 beds per facility.
The Australian government provides funding for approved aged care service providers, which manage aged care services. The government subsidises a range of aged care homes, making affordable care and support services accessible to those in need.
Aged care services can include assistance with everyday tasks, personal care, and nursing care. This may involve help with meals, laundry, medication, and health treatments. Additionally, social activities and therapy services such as speech therapy, podiatry, and physiotherapy may be provided.
Aged care facilities in Australia vary in size and management. Historically, nursing homes were smaller, with around 30 beds. Today, facilities are larger, with some having over 100 beds. Facilities may be operated by the private for-profit sector, religious and charitable organisations, community-based organisations, or government entities.
