New tool shows aged cares’ spending

The Albanese Government has released a new online tool to show aged care homes financial transparency.

Dollars to Care will hold providers accountable for how they utilise taxpayer funds for resident care, food, wages, and services.

The initiative is hosted on the My Aged Care website and allows residents and their families to find their provider and analyse the financial allocations, comparing them against sector averages.

Aged Care Minister Anika Wells welcomed the tool and said it would help the sector's path towards accountability.

"We are committed to developing a fair and transparent aged care system for older people and their families and carers," Ms Wells said.

"We recognise the majority of aged care providers are working to deliver high quality and safe care, but we have to shine a light on those who aren't and take action.

"The publication of aged care providers' finances and operations delivers on the Government's election commitment to increase transparency and accountability around what aged care providers are spending money on."

For the first time, data collected by the government is available to the public.

Users can explore a facility's metrics, such as daily food spending, staff and resident satisfaction ratings, and average staff wages.

The site also has resident experience surveys, revealing meal quality, staff concerns, and areas for improvement.

Dollars to Care responds to a recommendation in the Royal Commission's final report, highlighting the need for better public access to information about providers' finances and operations.

Government data collected quarterly showed the total amount of care given, and total spending daily per resident rose significantly.

The average care minutes for each resident per day rose from 187 minutes to 196 minutes, with the labour costs rising from $173 to $206.

Ms Wells said this platform builds on existing initiatives to increase transparency, such as the star ratings.

Data collected by the government is also being used to monitor which homes are passing the 15 per cent pay rise.

"I have asked the secretary of the Department of Health and Aged Care to refer aged care providers that are doing the wrong thing to the Aged Care Quality and Safety Commission and the Fair Work Ombudsman."

Do you have an idea for a story?
Email [email protected]