WA Govt shortlists aged care providers for $100M loan scheme
- Negotiations begin: Eight providers conditionally selected
- Capacity boost: Concessional places expanded
- Providers confidential: Successful applicants commercial in confidence
- Hospital pressure: Aims to ease aged care bed shortages
Western Australia’s $100 million residential aged care low-interest loan scheme has moved a step closer.
The State Government has conditionally selected eight providers to progress to the next stage, saying the scheme attracted strong demand from the sector.
The loan scheme, which was a 2025 election commitment, offers loans of up to $20 million per application, with terms of up to 15 years.
The brief for the scheme says it aims to encourage innovative approaches that modernise aged care infrastructure, improving access to services in regional and remote communities, and generating economic and employment opportunities.
In a statement, the WA Government said the eight selected applicants revealed a shared commitment to expanding the number of concessional residential aged care places in WA to help meet growing demand.
Operator names released when negotiations finalised
The eight operators have not been named.
A Government spokesperson told The Weekly SOURCE that the providers could not be named as the negotiations are currently classified cabinet-in-confidence.
The successful projects will be announced once negotiations are finalised.
350 older West Australians waiting
The initiative comes as Western Australia continues to grapple with a shortage of residential aged care beds, contributing to prolonged hospital stays for older people awaiting placement.
There are currently around 350 patients waiting in WA hospitals for an aged care bed.
Aged Care and Seniors Minister Simone McGurk said the scheme was intended to support both capacity growth and higher-quality facilities.
“These aged care loans are about more than increasing bed numbers. They are about supporting modern, fit-for-purpose facilities that can respond to increasingly complex care needs while improving quality of life for residents,” she said.
The scheme is one of several state-based initiatives aimed at addressing Australia’s aged care bed shortfall. South Australia has committed to a $250 million no-interest loan scheme.
The Federal Government has also expanded the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP) to support new developments in areas of greatest need, including Adelaide, Perth, and NSW’s Hunter and Illawarra regions.
Five providers have just been named as recipients of the new ACCAP grants in Adelaide.
