Tracey Burton outlines three pillars for aged care financial reform
Uniting NSW.ACT CEO Tracey Burton opened Day 2 of LEADERS SUMMIT 2026 with what is likely to be her final address to the aged care sector.
Tracey has led Uniting NSW.ACT – with 70 aged care homes, 90 seniors housing communities, and a growing home care footprint – for eight years, spanning the Royal Commission, the COVID-19 pandemic, and introduction of the new Aged Care Act.
However, she said the sector’s reforms are not finished, outlining three financial pillars to guide future reforms.
Exempt full pensioners from co-contributions
Firstly, the sector must better support those with limited financial means.
Tracey called for full pensioners who rent their home to be automatically exempt from Support at Home co-contributions. Uniting has costed this reform at $50 million.
“It’s not a huge sum in the scheme of the aged care bill,” she said.
“We really, really have to get these settings right, and there are genuine fears that poorly designed co-contribution arrangements will lead to vulnerable people missing out.”
Tracey also said the gap between what supported residents receive and what residents of means pay also needs to be addressed, an issue many in the sector have been advocating.
Use super to pay for aged care
Secondly, consumer co-contributions must be “normalised”.
With Australia’s superannuation pool now at $4 trillion, consumers should be using superannuation funds, designed to ensure a comfortable retirement, to pay for aged care, Tracey said.
The recent reforms around HELF have already contributed to negative media attention, she said, referring to last week’s reporting on the Higher Everyday Living Fee (HELF).
Innovation
Tracey’s third pillar for financial reform is productivity – and she is a strong advocate for DCM Group’s Plan T in this area.
She said all elements of the health system should operate as “one system of care”, echoing the comments of St Vincent’s Health Australia CEO Chris Blake, who said yesterday at the SUMMIT that funding should be able to be mixed across health sectors, not isolated in silos.
There is also scope for productivity improvements in mandatory care minutes, inconsistent requirements with the NDIS, and investment in prevention and early intervention, Tracey said.
In addition, Tracey also called for action on the recommendations in last year’s Productivity Commission report.
Tracey concluded with a message for aged care leadership:
“The leadership of aged care in Australia sits with you. People who are prepared to speak honestly about reform and remain anchored in dignity, fairness and service. Thank you for the contribution that you make to our communities and to the future of this system. It has been the greatest privilege of my professional life to lead with you.”
