Media Release by Senator the Hon Mitch Fifield

$12.4 million funding boost for home support services in Western Australia

More than 71,000 older people and people with disability in Western Australia will get extra support to stay in their own homes thanks to a $12.4 million funding boost from the Commonwealth and Western Australian Governments.

The funding is for new or expanded Home and Community Care (HACC) Services in Western Australia.

We know that many older Australians and people with disability prefer to stay in their own home as long as possible. The HACC programme provides critical services to help people to do just that – to stay independent in their own home for longer.

This funding will enable more than 70 HACC services across Western Australia to expand their existing services, and to establish new services where they are required.

The boost is part of a $288 million investment in HACC in Western Australia this financial year.

It will help to give people across the state better aged care options and support.

The funding represents an increase of $21.6 million compared to last year.

The Commonwealth Government contributes $174.8 million to the programme, with $113.2 million provided by the Western Australian Government.

The funding will help to provide services such as nursing, social support, respite care, domestic assistance, and transport to people in Western Australia–without which many would not be able to continue to live at home.