The Health Services Union has welcomed the federal government's $3 billion aged care funding announcement, while calling on the government to ensure workforce sustainability and worker protections are central to its reforms.
HSU National Secretary Lloyd Williams said the investment to deliver more equitable services, more residential beds and expanded specialist care was a significant step forward for older Australians and the workers who support them.
"The HSU has been advocating hard for Support at Home reforms, and we congratulate the Albanese Government on changes that will mean older Australians are no longer left out of pocket just to have basic personal care needs met," Mr Williams said.
"This is a substantial investment in a sector that has been under enormous pressure, and we commend the government for acting.
"Older Australians deserve equitable access to quality care and the workers who deliver that care deserve to be properly supported, planned for and protected."
Mr Williams said the HSU understood the need to fund more residential aged care beds to meet the demands of Australia's ageing population, but was clear that workforce planning had to keep pace with any expansion.
"Any changes to residential aged care subsidies must be made with considered workforce planning. That means having unions at the table at every stage of reform rollout.
"Workforce sustainability must be front and centre of any decision to expand residential care capacity. Any additional payments made to providers must be strictly defined, governed and monitored. Workers cannot be short-changed to pad provider profits."
The HSU also welcomed the expansion of specialist dementia services as part of the package.
"We look forward to working with the government to plan and prepare for that expansion," Mr Williams said.
"The workers who deliver dementia care and specialist aged care services hold up Australia's essential care and support economy. Their rights must be protected and sustained as the sector grows."
