Senior Living
$3bn for aged care in budget New federal funding for more beds and services
Making it easier to stay in the home you love By Glasshouse Country Care MOST people want to remain in their own home for as long as possible. But as we get older, looking after hedges and lawns becomes more difficult, and everyday tasks that once took minutes can become overwhelming. This is where Glasshouse Country Care is making a difference. Their home
maintenance team can provide a range of services to keep your yard accessible and your home safe, so you can continue to live independently. A little help really can make a big difference. Trimming a hedge can mean someone can safely walk to their mailbox or clothesline. Changing smoke alarm batteries can prevent a fall from a ladder. Glasshouse Country
Care can also assist with home modifications such as ramps and handrails, changes that can improve confidence moving around the home, keeping daily tasks manageable. Ensuring that help is available when it’s needed is one of the most effective ways to maintain independence. With the right support, people can remain active and safe in their own home for years longer.
THE Federal Government announced it will invest $3 billion to deliver more beds, more packages and better care for older Australians in the 2026 Budget. The Government will build on changes to incentivise construction of beds for aged care residents and give providers the certainty they need to build and maintain quality residential accommodation and make Support at Home fairer and more affordable. The Government will invest $1 billion to change the treatment of personal care services through the Support at Home program, making them free of charge alongside other clinical care. The Government is also responding to the Independent Review of Residential Aged Care Accommodation Pricing, which provides a considered, evidencebased framework for a sustainable residential care sector that can deliver the accommodation older Australians deserve.
The Budget will respond to the Review’s findings with a package that will deliver an additional 5000 beds a year including: - New targeted capital
subsidies for residential aged care, providing additional funding for supported residents for newly built or refurbished homes; - An increase to the Accommodation Supplement and structural changes to introduce new tiers, and additional payment for homes with more than 60 per cent supported residents.
The Government will also invest over $200 million for 20 additional Specialist Dementia Care Program units and an expansion of the Hospital to Aged Care Dementia Support Program. As part of this package, the Government will accelerate the release of and expand access to more Support at Home places, with further details to be released in the Budget. Further aged care measures will be announced as part of the Budget. Minister for Aged Care and Seniors, Sam Rae, said when the Aged Care Act commenced, the Government promised it would “keep watching” how the reforms landed to make sure the system was strong and fair enough, to meet the moment. “Showering, dressing, continence care – these aren’t optional extras,” he said. “They’re the basics of ageing with dignity, and no older Australian should miss out because of cost.”
The help you need around your house and garden. Staying in your own home and maintaining your independence is much easier with support from Glasshouse Country Care. Our maintenance team can help with a range of everyday tasks, keeping your house and garden tidy and safe. such as ramps and hand rails to make your home safer and more manageable.
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Glasshouse Country & Maleny News, Tuesday May 12, 2026 PAGE 21