Narrow margins blocking future aged care investment: Juniper
Juniper is calling on the Federal Government to clear the home care waiting list with a $1-2 billion investment.
Western Australian aged care provider Juniper delivered a surplus of $1.2 million in FY25, but said the operating environment continues to be defined by tight funding and narrow margins.
“The sector continues to recover from years of underfunding,” CEO Russell Bricknell writes in the 2024-25 annual report.
“This year, we delivered a small financial surplus, reflecting both the investment required to meet compliance standards and the lack of funding uplift across the sector.
“With margins so narrow, future investment in services is increasingly difficult unless governments commit to adequate funding.”
Russell has been actively advocating for increased Government funding during the year, in partnership with UnitingCare Australia and Advance Ageing Western Australia, a collaboration of seven of the state’s aged care providers, established in 2020.
Juniper is calling on the Federal Government to clear the home care waiting list with a $1-2 billion investment, and to deliver sufficient funding to ensure providers can deliver enough aged care beds to meet rocketing demand.
Staff housing
During the year, Juniper broke ground on the Fitzroy Crossing staff housing project, with 11 modular homes expected to be completed in FY26. The project was partly funded by a Federal Government Grant with co-contributions from Juniper. Work will also begin in Katanning, Kununurra and Geraldton on modular homes, with Juniper considering further regional locations for staff housing.
Refurbishments
During the year, refurbishments were completed at Juniper’s Annesley, Sarah Hardey, Hilltop, and Waratah Lodge Residential Aged Care homes. A dedicated Transition Care wing at Annesley was also established. Further refurbishments are being planned for FY26.
Affordable housing
Juniper is also in the early stages of developing an Affordable Housing service for older people facing housing insecurity. In FY25, the operator also delivered its first full year delivering home care services in the Great Southern and Goldfields regions.
