More Choices for a Longer Life

The new More Choices For a Longer Life package flags a new era for older Australians - more choice, opportunity and certainty, with a focus on helping people live independently for as long as they want.

Aged care funding is at record levels and is set to increase by $5 billion - there will be a rollout of an extra 14,000 high-level home care packages, with the number of high-care packages rising to more than 74,000 over the next four years.

At the same time, residential aged care will also see record growth, with 13,500 new residential places and 775 restorative care places to be allocated this year, plus a $60 million capital investment.

There will be continuing strong support to assist older people without homes and those at risk of homelessness.

People can have confidence in aged care and the protection of their loved ones - the new Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission will create an independent, tough cop on the beat to ensure older Australians receive the best possible care.

My Aged Care will be improved with an investment of $61.7 million to make it easier to use, along with simplifying the forms required to apply for aged care services, and $7.4 million to trial navigators to helppeople choose the aged care services that suit their needs.

Choice will also be made easier through a new $8.8 million user-friendly online aged care provider comparison system.

We will invest $32.8 million to improve palliative care for older Australians living in residential aged care, filling current gaps in support services, $5.3 million for innovations in managing dementia, and $102.5 million for mental health programs for older Australians.

And people over 65 will be assisted to undertake more physical activity, with locally-based sporting organisations receiving grants totalling $22.9 million to deliver new programs for older Australians.

The Government is helping Australians to work for as long as they want, laying the foundations for a secure retirement. We will provide up to $10,000 in Restart wage subsidies for employing Australians aged 50 and over. The Skills and Training incentive will provide up to $2,000 to fund up-skilling opportunities for mature aged workers.

We are increasing the Pension Work Bonus to allow age pensioners to earn an extra $50 per fortnight without reducing their pension.

The Pension Loans Scheme will be expanded giving greater flexibility to use home equity to boost retirement incomes.

Putting older Australians first is our top priority, with the shift to a simplified, more accessible, sustainable and better regulated aged care system well under way.

The Turnbull Government is committed to ensuring ageing Australians receive the protection, support, care and respect they deserve.

The honourable Ken Wyatt Am, Minister for Aged Care and Indigenous Health.