Senior Australians and Aged Care Services Minister Richard Colbeck has announced the Government will provide $40 million over two years for multi-purpose residential aged care providers to carry out minor capital works.
Mr Colbeck said capital grant initiative is in response to the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety, and reinforces the importance of multi-purpose services (MPS) in providing care in regional and remote areas.
“Australia has 179 MPS in outer regional and remote areas, in all states, the Northern Territory and Norfolk Island, providing health and aged care services to small communities,” he said.
“Combined these MPS offer 3,688 flexible aged places in either residential aged care or home care settings.
“For the first time since the MPS program started in the 1990s, the Commonwealth will provide capital funding grants for MPS. A co-contribution model will require providers to make a cash or in-kind contribution towards each project.”
Mr Colbeck said the money was targeted.
“There will be a focus on delivering important improvements within the facilities, including fewer shared bathroom facilities and improved infection prevention and control, which is vital in the ongoing response to COVID-19,” he said.
“The MPS minor capital works grant round, which opens today also supports the new measures announced in the 2021–2022 Budget and the Government’s response to the Royal Commission.
“It is in addition to the $630.2 million announced to make the aged care system more accessible for Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people and senior Australians who live in regional, rural, and remote communities.”
