The number of people waiting to receive a home care package continues to decrease as the Morrison Government ensures more senior Australians can live at home for longer.
The Home Care Packages Program Data Report (1st Quarter 2021-22) shows the number of people accessing a home care package grew to 204,146 at 30 September 2021 – an increase of over 41,000 older Australians in 12 months.
The number of people waiting for their approved home care package also dropped by 25 per cent from 30 September 2020 to 30 September 2021.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said it underlined the action taken by the Morrison Government in its comprehensive response to the final report of the Royal Commission into Aged Care Quality and Safety.
“Senior Australians want more choice, they want support to remain in control, to stay connected to their community and to remain as independent as possible, in their own home,” Minister Colbeck said.
“We have seen a 25 per cent decrease in the number of people who are waiting for a home care package at their approved level since 30 September 2020.
“The significant investment in home care packages and a shorter waitlist shows the Government is ensuring senior Australians have access to this kind of support when they need it.”
The Government is investing $6.5 billion for an additional 80,000 home care packages to support senior Australians who choose to remain in their own home.
Minister Colbeck said the packages, which commenced roll out from 1 July 2021, are expected to further reduce waitlist and wait times.
Importantly, 99 per cent of senior Australians waiting for a package at their assessed level have also been offered support from the Government, including an interim package or Commonwealth Home Support Programme and continue to have access to Australia’s world-class health care system.
“We’re rolling out the packages quickly” Minister Colbeck said.
“In addition to the 40,000 packages released in 2021-22, another 40,000 packages will become available in 2022-23.
“This means that by 30 June 2023 there will be around 275,600 packages available.
“This allocation continues to significantly reduce the wait list while we work through the design phase of the new home care system which we aim to implement by July 2023.”
Minister Colbeck said the Government remained committed to ensuring the health and wellbeing of senior Australians remained a priority.
“We are working hard to make sure more senior Australians than ever before are able to receive the support they need to live at home and in the communities they love.”
The Home Care Packages Program Data Report (1st Quarter 2021-22) can be viewed here.
Author: admin
National Aged Care Advocacy expanded as reforms gain momentum
A new funding agreement that increases total program funding from $52.6 million to $151.1 million over four years will significantly expand the National Aged Care Advocacy Program (NACAP) to support greater choice and quality safeguards for senior Australians.
The Morrison Government committed to an increase of $99.6 million for the NACAP program, as part of its $17.7 billion aged care reform package, announced in the 2021-22 Budget.
This responds to the Royal Commission into Aged Quality and Safety recommendation to expand aged care advocacy, recognising advocacy support that identifies and actively considers consumer needs is essential to an aged care system that delivers respect, dignity, and consumer choice and control.
Minister for Senior Australians and Aged Care Services, Richard Colbeck, said the role of the NACAP was as important as ever.
“Our five-year, five pillar reform package is transforming aged care by prioritising the individual needs of senior Australians,” Minister Colbeck said.
“An expanded National Aged Care Advocacy Program will ensure those seeking support are empowered to make informed decisions about their care, understand their rights, and have support to resolve complaints when they arise, in a time of great change.”
The expanded NACAP will improve access to face-to-face and virtual aged care advocacy through:
- doubling the workforce to support more than 15,000 additional advocacy cases and adding more than 1,000 local networking and education sessions each year;
- new community advocacy activities, including increased capability for self-advocacy, home and community care vulnerability check-ins, and education around home care service costs;
- support for aged care reform and emergencies, including extending COVID-19 response advocacy activities, and
- education for providers to better understand the diversity of the community they are serving and help remove any related barriers to access.
The NACAP will continue to be provided by the Older Persons Advocacy Network (OPAN), which builds on its record since 2017 of effectively delivering essential free, independent and confidential advocacy support and information to seniors and their families of choice or representatives.
Minister Colbeck said OPAN had a strong track record of advocacy for senior Australians through the NACAP, particularly since the emergence of COVID-19.
“OPAN is providing critical advocacy and support services to aged care residents and their families throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, including those in facilities that have had an outbreak,” Minister Colbeck said.
OPAN delivers NACAP through its network of nine service delivery organisations across Australia.
People in need of advocacy or information can contact an OPAN member organisation in their area on 1800 700 600 (free call), or via OPAN’s website at www.opan.com.au/opan-network.
$50 million investment in support for HIV and blood borne viruses
The Morrison Government is marking World AIDS Day by announcing over $50 million in new funding to extend access to HIV treatment in Australia and to support activities that will support the health and mental wellbeing of people living with blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections.
World AIDS Day is held on 1 December each year. It remembers the 30 million people worldwide who have died of HIV/AIDS and reminds us of this ongoing global pandemic.
The theme of World AIDS Day 2021 is ‘End inequalities. End AIDS’
This year is the 40th anniversary of the first official report of the immune illness that would be later recognised as AIDS. In 2020, there were 633 new diagnoses of HIV in Australia and more than 29,000 people living with HIV.
Minister for Health and Aged Care, Greg Hunt said, the Morrison Government was investing more than $39 million over 5 years to support people living with HIV in Australia, who are not eligible for Medicare, to access the treatment they need.
“This investment will benefit an estimated 1,000 people currently living with HIV in Australia each year, providing access to appropriate and equitable HIV treatment and care,” Minister Hunt said.
“By expanding treatment to more people living with HIV in Australia, we can improve health outcomes for individuals and contribute to curbing the onward transmission of the virus.”
The Morrison Government will continue to work with the states and territories to establish the new access arrangements which will commence from 1 July 2022.
Improving access to treatment for HIV positive people in Australia regardless of their nationality will contribute to decreasing the transmission of HIV in Australia, a key goal of the Eighth National HIV Strategy which has been agreed by State, Territory and Commonwealth Governments.
“Our Government will also provide more than $11 million in new funding to Australia’s blood borne viruses and sexually transmissible infections peak bodies to continue their important work across the country,” Minister Hunt said.
The Morrison Government works closely with the peak bodies, including the Australian Federation of AIDS Organisations, the National Association of People with HIV in Australia, Hepatitis Australia, the Australian Injecting Drug Users League, Scarlet Alliance – Australian Sex Workers Association, and the Australasian Society for HIV, Viral Hepatitis and Sexual Health Medicine.
Access to new and flexible testing arrangements is also being expanded through recent changes by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) to increase the availability of the Atomo HIV Self-Test, the only HIV self-test approved for sale in Australia.
New rules now allow easier on-line access, over the counter sales in pharmacies, and supply of the at-home test through organisations or institutions who work with HIV at-risk communities if they have appropriately trained staff.
National Cabinet Statement
National Cabinet met today to discuss Australia’s COVID-19 response and the new Omicron strain.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly provided an update on the current COVID-19 situation and health response across Australia.
The World Health Organization has declared the B.1.1.529 strain, now known as the Omicron strain and first detected in Southern Africa on 24 November 2021, to be a variant of concern, one of five existing variants of concern including Delta. Six cases of the Omicron strain have been detected in Australia. All cases have mild symptoms or are asymptomatic, and are in quarantine.
Since the beginning of the pandemic there have been 210,239 confirmed cases in Australia and sadly 2,006 people have died. More than 47.8 million tests have been undertaken, with over 1 million tests reported in the past 7 days.
Globally there have been over 262 million cases and sadly over 5.2 million deaths, with 650,462 new cases and 7,391 deaths reported in the last 24 hours. The COVID-19 pandemic continues to surge in many countries around the world.
Australia’s COVID-19 vaccine roll out continues to expand. To date over 39.2 million doses of COVID-19 vaccines have been administered in Australia, including 95,247 in the previous 24 hours. In the previous 7 days, more than 604,000 vaccines have been administered in Australia.
More than 92.4 per cent of the Australian population aged 16 years and over have now had a first dose of a COVID-19 vaccine, including over 97.4 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 99.9 per cent of over 70 year olds.
More than 87 per cent of Australians aged 16 years and over are now fully vaccinated including more than 93.7 per cent of over 50 year olds and more than 97.3 per cent of Australians over 70 years of age.
National Cabinet noted Australia has sufficient supplies of booster shots available, with contracts in place for 85 million doses of the Pfizer vaccine, 15 million doses of the Moderna vaccine and 51 million doses of the Novavax vaccine.
National Cabinet further noted that the Therapeutic Goods Administration and the Australian Technical Advisory Group on Immunisation are in late stage consideration regarding when Pfizer can be rolled out to 5 to 11 year olds.
National Cabinet and the National Federation Reform Council will next meet as scheduled on Friday 10 December.
Omicron Variant
National Cabinet received an update from Professor Paul Kelly on the Omicron variant and governments responses.
The Chief Medical Officer provided advice that Australia is in the early stages of understanding the Omicron variant.
At this stage it is known that the Omicron strain has a high number of mutations particularly within its spike protein. Early data indicates Omicron may be more transmissible when compared with previous variants of the virus which causes COVID-19. At this stage there is insufficient evidence that vaccines and treatments are less effective against Omicron than other variants, and no evidence at this stage that Omicron is a more severe disease.
The Commonwealth and states and territories have already acted on medical advice to implement travel restrictions and revised quarantine and home isolation requirements.
The Commonwealth has implemented restrictions for travellers into Australia who have been in countries of concern in the past 14 days to slow the entry of the Omicron variant into Australia. The Commonwealth has implemented a temporary ban on non-citizens from Southern Africa entering Australia. Australians who have returned from Southern Africa countries are required to undertake 14 days quarantine under state and territory public health requirements.
The Commonwealth has updated the Australian Traveller Declaration (ATD) to specifically require travellers to comply with PCR testing requirements mandated by states and territories. These changes are in addition to the steps the Commonwealth has taken since 1 November to provide states and territories with detailed advice on incoming passengers, including by sharing data sets which link travellers’ ATD data to the flight on which they are arriving, and the enhancements to the ATD.
The Commonwealth National Security Committee has further taken the decision to push back the reopening to international skilled and student visa cohorts, as well as humanitarian visa holders, from 1 December until 15 December. Reopening to Japan and the Republic of Korea will also be paused to 15 December.
These are temporary precautions pending more information on the Omicron strain becoming available worldwide.
Existing arrangements will continue for Australians, permanent residents, immediate family (including parents), and other exempt visa holders including travellers through the New Zealand and Singapore safe travel zones and Pacific Labour Scheme participants.
States and territories have initiated new quarantine and home isolation requirements under public health measures. The Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Victoria will continue to require 72 hours home isolation for all international arrivals, with 14 days quarantine in place for travellers returning from Southern African countries.
National Cabinet noted that on the basis of advice provided by the Chief Medical Officer, there was no immediate need to change current settings.
National Cabinet agreed that the Commonwealth and state and territory governments will continue to pursue a suppression strategy, noting the objective is to limit the rate of Omicron incursions into Australia, rather than eliminate it at the border.
Share your ideas for Georgetown local centre upgrade
City of Newcastle has begun community consultation with local residents and business owners to understand views on safety, parking and public spaces in the Georgetown Local Centre area.
Earlier this year the elected Council resolved to initiate an upgrade of the Georgetown town centre.
Following input from the community, a public domain plan will be developed in 2022 to guide the revitalisation of the area.
City of Newcastle Acting Director Infrastructure and Property Joanne Rigby said the future upgrade aims to create a more accessible, attractive and safe local centre for the growing neighbourhood of Georgetown.
“Our public domain plan will upgrade the streetscape and access to shops, and will also improve traffic and safety,” Ms Rigby said.
“Our upgrades often include new footpaths, trees and street furniture – so we are looking forward to hearing feedback from the community about what locals would like to see.”
“A major component of City of Newcastle’s local centre upgrades includes drainage improvements. We also look to partner with businesses to beautify the local shop fronts through the Façade Improvement Scheme.
“This project aims to attract more people to visit and spend time at the local centre and will benefit the growing number of young families living in the suburb.
Once developed, a draft public domain plan will go on public exhibition. The plan will be finalised based on community feedback and will go to the elected Council for approval, ahead of construction in the coming years.
The planned upgrade at Georgetown follows similar local centre upgrades at Carrington, Beresfield, Joslin Street in Kotara, Llewellyn Street in Merewether, James Street Plaza in Hamilton, and the upgrades currently under construction in Stockton and Shortland.
Have your say via the online survey at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay before 13 December.
Earlier this year the elected Council resolved to initiate an upgrade of the Georgetown town centre.
Following input from the community, a public domain plan will be developed in 2022 to guide the revitalisation of the area.
City of Newcastle Acting Director Infrastructure and Property Joanne Rigby said the future upgrade aims to create a more accessible, attractive and safe local centre for the growing neighbourhood of Georgetown.
“Our public domain plan will upgrade the streetscape and access to shops, and will also improve traffic and safety,” Ms Rigby said.
“Our upgrades often include new footpaths, trees and street furniture – so we are looking forward to hearing feedback from the community about what locals would like to see.”
“A major component of City of Newcastle’s local centre upgrades includes drainage improvements. We also look to partner with businesses to beautify the local shop fronts through the Façade Improvement Scheme.
“This project aims to attract more people to visit and spend time at the local centre and will benefit the growing number of young families living in the suburb.
Once developed, a draft public domain plan will go on public exhibition. The plan will be finalised based on community feedback and will go to the elected Council for approval, ahead of construction in the coming years.
The planned upgrade at Georgetown follows similar local centre upgrades at Carrington, Beresfield, Joslin Street in Kotara, Llewellyn Street in Merewether, James Street Plaza in Hamilton, and the upgrades currently under construction in Stockton and Shortland.
Have your say via the online survey at newcastle.nsw.gov.au/yoursay before 13 December.
Rent relief continues for small businesses impacted by COVID-19
Small businesses who are still doing it tough across the State will continue to benefit from rent relief until 13 January 2022, ensuring ongoing support for small businesses over the Christmas and New Year’s Period.
Treasurer Matt Kean said as the economic recovery continues, many small businesses are still not back at their pre-COVID turnover and rent is still one of their biggest fixed costs.
“Small business is the engine room of our economy and as we recover from the pandemic we need to make sure we leave no one behind and support impacted businesses as they continue to recover,” Mr Kean said.
“Continuing rent relief measures for impacted small businesses will provide a necessary buffer to allow businesses time to get back on their feet and begin to thrive again.”
The Retail and Other Commercial Leases (COVID-19) Regulation 2021 rent relief provisions will continue for eligible businesses with a turnover of less than $5 million, a more targeted level of support from the previous turnover threshold of $50 million.
Minister for Finance and Small Business Damien Tudehope said landlords will still be required to negotiate rent relief with eligible commercial and retail tenants that are experiencing a turnover decline of 30 per cent or more.
“Lockdown may be over but there are still small businesses, particularly in our CBDs, that are facing a slower recovery and are continuing to do it tough,” Mr Tudehope said.
“As the State continues to transition out of lockdown, 97 per cent of NSW businesses will retain access to COVID-19 rent relief provisions if they continue to experience a significant decline in turnover.”
Small commercial and retail tenants that would have continued to meet the eligibility criteria for JobSaver or the Micro-business Grant, after ending on 30 November, will remain eligible for rent relief negotiations with their landlords.
Under the Regulation, landlords are required to negotiate rent relief having regard to National Cabinet’s Code of Conduct. As a starting point, rent relief should be proportionate with eligible tenant’s decline in turnover, with at least 50 per cent in the form a waiver, and the balance a deferral.
Landlords can access the Commercial Landlord Hardship Fund, which currently provides small commercial or retail landlords with a monthly grant up to the value of any rental relief provided, to a maximum of $3,000 per month per property.
Alternatively, land tax relief is available for eligible commercial landowners who have reduced their tenants’ rent due to COVID-19, between 1 July 2021 and 31 December 2021. The reduction in land tax payable is the lesser of:
- the amount of rent reduction provided to an eligible tenant for any period between 1 July 2021 and 31 December 2021, or
- 100 per cent of the land tax attributable to the parcel of land leased to that tenant.
For more information on rent relief visit:
Commercial leases and COVID-19 FAQs | Small Business Commissioner (nsw.gov.au)
For more information on COVID-19 assistance for commercial and residential landlords visit: COVID-19 assistance for commercial and residential landlords | Service NSW
New 225 metre office tower in western Sydney welcomes next wave of workers
Parramatta, Sydney’s CBD of the West, is filling up with thousands of workers with the opening of a new, high rise work tower – part of the NSW Government’s commitment to expand its workforce west, reduce office costs and boost the economy.
NSW Premier Dominic Perrottet said the new 6 & 8 Parramatta Square building is easily accessible, with efficient transport options including trains and light rail, metro, buses, ferries and the WestConnex.
“Signature skyscrapers like these show our state has a bright future and the CBD doesn’t stop at Glebe,” Mr Perrottet said.
“Parramatta Square is a major contributor to our economic engine room and these premium office buildings will host an exceptional workforce in the beating heart of Western Sydney.
“Tomorrow, I will be attending the Bradfield Oration where big ideas for the future of NSW are discussed. It’s projects like Parramatta Square that inspire us to take our state from good to great.”
Minister for Water, Property and Housing Melinda Pavey said Walker Corporation’s 6 Parramatta Square adjoins tower 8, which has reached structural completion at 225 meters tall to become the tallest building in Sydney’s West and ready for tenants in 2022.
“Building these towers has created 4,000 construction worker jobs, giving Sydney’s west a much needed economic boost and this will continue as public and private sector employees settle into their new office digs and spend locally,” Mrs Pavey said.
“Despite the impacts of COVID-19, this workforce has risen to the challenges of this pandemic, safely continuing work on site and completing level after level, all the way to the top, to where we stand here today, some 55 floors later.”
Using technology designed to withstand earthquakes, an incredible skybridge now connects 4 and 6 Parramatta Square to form the NSW Government Campus Hub – the largest public sector office workplace hub in Australia, accommodating around 9,500 workers.
Parramatta Square is one of Australia’s largest commercial business precincts integrating commercial office space with convenient retail and will eventually cater for over 30,000 workers and students, as well as many more visitors.
“Parramatta truly is the beating heart of Western Sydney, and these towers are a symbol of this great region’s resilience and strength,” Mrs Pavey said.
Some of Australia’s most highly regarded blue chip companies have signed long-term leases alongside the NSW Government towers, at 4 & 6 Parramatta Square.
Walker Corporation Executive Chairman Lang Walker AO said the tower will be a beacon of success to the people of Western Sydney.
“It’s not only the tallest in Western Sydney, it’s the biggest too, with the largest Gross Floor Area of any commercial office building in Australia.”
NSW Government staff from the Department of Communities and Justice and the Greater Sydney Commission have started the move into 6 Parramatta Square. Already, tower 4 is the office for the Department of Planning, Industry and Environment and Department of Customer Service.
Disaster assistance extended following severe weather and flooding in NSW
Disaster assistance is now available in 18 additional local government areas in regional NSW following severe storms and flooding from Tuesday 9 November 2021.
The additional LGAs are Bourke, Coonamble, Dubbo, Glen Innes Severn, Kyogle, Lithgow, Liverpool Plains, Lockhart, Muswellbrook, Narromine, Orange, Parkes, Singleton, Snowy Monaro, Snowy Valleys, Tamworth, Walgett and Warren.
These areas are in addition to the 20 Local Government Areas that are already receiving assistance as a result of the Australian and New South Wales Governments.
Assistance is being provided through the jointly funded Commonwealth-State Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements (DRFA).
Minister for Emergency Management and National Recovery and Resilience, Senator the Hon Bridget McKenzie said the ongoing severe weather has caused significant widespread damage across regional NSW.
“Continued heavy rain and flooding has resulted in damage to major roads and residential properties, with the impacts unlikely to become clear until flood waters start to recede.”
“We continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with these communities to assist in repairing the damage caused by these events,” Minister McKenzie said.
“Again, I urge people to check local emergency advice and alerts, and never, ever drive through flood waters,” Minister McKenzie said.
New South Wales Minister for Police and Emergency Services the Hon David Elliott said further flooding in the Upper Hunter region over the weekend had led to several evacuations and flood rescues.
“The assistance being announced today will help ensure councils and individuals impacted by this event have the support they need to get back on their feet.”
Assistance available under the DRFA may include:
- Help for eligible people whose homes or belongings have been damaged (eligibility criteria apply)
- Support for affected local councils to help with the costs of cleaning up and restoring damaged essential public assets
- Concessional interest rate loans for small businesses, primary producers and non-profit organisations
- Freight subsidies for primary producers, and
- Grants to eligible non-profit organisations.
For information on personal hardship and distress assistance, contact Service NSW on 13 77 88 or online at www.service.nsw.gov.au
To apply for a concessional loan or grant, contact the NSW Rural Assistance Authority on 1800 678 593 or visit www.raa.nsw.gov.au
Information on disaster assistance can be found on the Australian Government’s Disaster Assist website at www.disasterassist.gov.au
NSW families win in December double
Parents are being urged to take advantage of the state’s popular Active Kids program, with tens of millions of dollars worth of vouchers still to be redeemed this year due to the COVID lockdown.
And in a December double, Premier Dominic Perrottet also encouraged NSW families to dive into the new First Lap learn to swim program, which starts today.
“Now that sport is back up and running, we’re keen to remind parents to use these excellent NSW Government cost-saving measures so kids can get back to playing sport and learning to swim without breaking the family budget,” Mr Perrottet said.
“With COVID restrictions stopping sport for several months, around 430,000 children are yet to use their Active Kids vouchers this year, meaning there is around $86 million worth of vouchers still up for grabs.”
Every school-enrolled child in NSW is eligible for two $100 Active Kids vouchers per year towards the cost of sport and active recreation fees.
Minister for Digital and Customer Service Victor Dominello said the $100 First Lap learn to swim voucher and Active Kids program are among dozens of NSW Government savings to help to ease cost of living pressures for households.
“Every cent counts when it comes to balancing the family budget and claiming the First Lap voucher is now at your fingertips and available via the Service NSW app,” Mr Dominello said.
Minster for Sport Natalie Ward said the First Lap program, which provides an annual $100 voucher per child, has been expanded to include not just pre-school children but also those in kindergarten in 2021 and 2022.
“With summer officially starting today, there’s no better time to dive into the First Lap program and make sure your child learns vital safety skills,” Mrs Ward said.
For more details or to download a voucher, visit the Service NSW website.
Massive rise in racism concerns must impel action
Australian Greens Anti-racism spokesperson Senator Mehreen Faruqi has said the findings of the latest Mapping Social Cohesion report, which highlight a substantial increase in Australians’ concerns about racism, should drive government action. 60% of people now say racism is a big problem, up from 40% just last year.
Senator Faruqi said:
“People are more and more worried about rising racism in the community.
“Increasing community awareness has aligned with the continued growth of far-right, racist movements. The impacts of racist hatred on minority communities can no longer be denied.
“Meanwhile, the Morrison government’s head is firmly planted in the sand. The government hasn’t funded a national anti-racism strategy since 2015.
“Just because a conservative government full of white men doesn’t feel the brunt of racism doesn’t mean it doesn’t exist.
“ASIO is now saying up to 50 per cent of its domestic counter-terrorism caseload is taken up by ideologically-motivated extremism, which has been driven by a rise in right-wing extremism.
“We urgently need federal government investment in a national anti-racism strategy and a coordinated plan to tackle the far-right.”