The federal government has committed $300 million to strengthen the aged care system through the latest round of the Aged Care Capital Assistance Program (ACCAP).
The ACCAP is designed to improve residential aged care and staff housing outside major cities. Since its inception, the program has delivered almost $1 billion in government investment.
Of the total funding in the latest announcement, $87 million will be spread across 12 projects aimed at ensuring more older Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people can access services that respect culture, Country and community.
This includes almost $4 million for the Yadu Health Aboriginal Corporation in South Australia to expand residential care facilities and staff accommodation at the Seaview Village Aged Care Service, and $2.8 million for the Rumbalara Aboriginal Co-operative Limited in Victoria.
In its third round, the program will fund 66 infrastructure projects, supporting the construction or upgrade of aged care homes and the development of staff accommodation to attract and retain workers outside of the major cities.
Almost $40 million will be directed to the Northern Territory alone, where projects will deliver new and upgraded facilities for older Territorians.
These include:
- A $34.6 million rebuild of the 25-bed Pulkapulkka Kari Nursing Home and Hostel in Tennant Creek.
- $3.2 million to build staff accommodation units at the Nganampa Ngura Mutitjulu-nya Flexible Aged Care facility in Mutitjulu.
- $1.5 million for staff housing and upgrades to the kitchen and other spaces at the Malandari Flexible Aged Care Service in Borroloola.
Minister for Indigenous Australians, Malarndirri McCarthy, said the government was addressing growing aged care demand in the NT by "focusing on improving quality and access to the world-class services older Australians deserve".
"This investment will support older Territorians to access quality aged care services while remaining close to their families and cultural connections," she said.
"Our Elders play such an important role in our communities and it is essential they are provided the very best in aged care."
Lingiari MP Marion Scrymgour welcomed the investment, saying it ensures "our Elders receive the care they deserve as they age".
"The electorate of Lingiari is a broad and unique place, and it's pleasing to see that these new aged care services will be delivered in a culturally appropriate manner," she said.
The latest round of ACCAP recipients can be found online.
