Boost for WA Home and Community Care Services

More than 70,000 older Australians and younger people with a disability in Western Australia will get extra support to stay in their own homes thanks to a funding boost from the Australian and Western Australian Governments.

$9.4 million for new care activities has been made available in the latest round of the Home and Community Care (HACC) Program, presenting Western Australians with better aged care options and support services.

The latest boost is part of a $266.4 million investment in the HACC Program in Western Australia this financial year–$161.7 million from the Federal Government and $104.7 million from the State Government. This is an increase of $19.3 million compared to last year’s Program.

The federal Assistant Minister for Social Services, Mitch Fifield, said the extra funding would be distributed among more than 100 services across the state.

“The Australian Government believes that older Australians deserve to have the support they need to live active and healthy lives, and to continue to live at home when possible,” Minister Fifield said.

“The Home and Community Care Program focuses on providing care where most people prefer to receive it–in their own homes.”

“The Home and Community Care Program provides critical services that help older people and people with a disability maintain their independence and connection to their community,” Minister Fifield said.

This includes services like nursing, social support, respite care, domestic assistance, and transport–without which many people would not be able to continue to live at home.

This extra funding will help expand existing services or create new ones in identified priority areas of need and is particularly aimed at vulnerable people.