In our society, our government funds what the community values. Are those older people who live in aged care homes valued?

A "lighter touch approach to regulation", as outlined in the recent Aged Care Sector Committee's 'Aged care roadmap', will benefit providers of aged care homes but not residents. 'Consumers' of aged care do not have the capacity to 'drive' the residential aged care sector.

We believe the care of vulnerable older people is too important to be left in the hands of the free market. Like child-care centres, hospitals, and schools, aged care homes must be properly regulated.

We ask the Federal Government to mandate a minimum staff-to-resident ratio. All aged care homes with residents classified as ‘high care’ must have at least one registered nurse on duty at all times. 

All aged care homes must be required to employ personal care attendants who have graduated from courses that comply with training standards under the Australian Qualifications Framework. 

For older Australians to receive the quality of care they deserve, aged care homes require a meaningful accreditation process. The current accreditation standards are woefully inadequate. We ask that The Australia Aged Care Quality Agency re-write the standards and outcomes.