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A Federal Government task force assigned to find a long-term solution for sustainable aged care funding has suggested wealthier individuals pay more for their care rather than introduce a tax or levy.
On Tuesday, the task force convened in Adelaide and explored all available options, including a levy proposed by the Aged Care Royal Commission in 2021.
However, most of the discussion focused on user pays and lifting the $186,000 means test threshold on family homes. The group viewed that a tax on workers would anchor generational inequality.
Aged Care Minister Anika Wells said the controversial option of a tax still remained on the table.
Minister Wells promised that the government would make no changes without public consultation and community engagement.
“Whether we adopt changes to means testing or recommendations from the royal commission - that wasn't yet settled, and that’s on purpose because task force members need to go away and engage with people on what that looks like,” she told ABC Radio National on Wednesday.
During the meeting, the task force collectively agreed upon principles to help the future of aged care.
The principles aimed for aged care to be fair, transparent and sustainable, largely focusing on Australians being given every opportunity to stay in their homes for as long as possible.
“It’s a fairly radical change and perspective to how the aged care system is currently governed and funded.”
With the rising living costs making it harder for young Australians to stay afloat, introducing a levy and tax has been warned as potentially fueling intergenerational warfare and adding a burden to the ever-shrinking workforce.
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