The Retirement Living Council (RLC) is calling on the re-elected Albanese Government to hit the ground running and address serious issues impacting older Australians "before it's too late".
As the countdown continues to the implementation of the new Aged Care Act on 1 July, the RLC remains adamant the rollout must be delayed.
Operators are advising government they will not be ready for the 1 July transition, triggered by a lack of information and framework yet to be formalised by the Commonwealth - and further delayed by the Federal Election.
RLC Executive Director Daniel Gannon said the Commonwealth has "one opportunity to avoid major consequences by properly delaying the new Aged Care Act".
"Serious issues surrounding liquidity standards, the critical overhaul of IT systems, a lack of training for staff, client anxiety over costings and financial strain relating to billing remain unaddressed and threaten the viability of the sector," he said.
"Nobody is questioning the need for a significantly improved aged care system. This is fundamental, especially as Australia's population continues to age.
"However, we have a timeframe for the commencement of the new Act that just isn't realistic - and that will benefit no-one."
Mr Gannon said the Commonwealth must also focus on new reforms that help older Australians.
"Outdated Age Pension settings are locking older Australians in large family homes during a housing crisis when 'rightsizing' initiatives should be front and centre to ease pressure on housing and healthcare systems," he said.
"It's absurd that policies written decades ago - like those that govern the Age Pension assets test - are expected to keep up with modern day house prices and cost of living. Older Australians risk losing their pension while younger people are in housing limbo."
Mr Gannon said reforms to the Age Pension and rent assistance could unlock 59,000 homes currently occupied by 94,000 people, while allowing more people to 'rightsize' without financial penalty.
"We congratulate Prime Minister Albanese on his re-election, while also extending our thanks to outgoing Opposition MPs for their work across industry," he said.
"Given Australia's demographics are shifting drastically, there's no time to waste in resuming important policy reforms."
